We all love ice cream, but have you thought about making an ice cream cone craft with your little ones? While nothing beats the real thing, this project will have your kids screaming for more. For this issue, our 5-year-old maker, Amber, along with her art teacher Zhang Qi from Yosemite Art Center, gave an impressive demonstration of how to make your own fun ice cream cone.

All the materials are easy to get, but be careful while painting. During the painting, Amber asked Zhang Qi “will my hands get messy?” Zhang Qi said yes, and suggests kids who make this craft should wear an apron or an old T-shirt.

Note: The project takes about one hour to finish. Parental supervision is also required while cutting the felt and big paper.

Materials You’ll Need

Acrylic paint
2 pencils and one pen
Paper cup
Glue
Scissors
5-6 thick colored felts
A sheet of card
A round painting board

Instructions

1. According to the scale of the round painting board, draw an irregular ice cream shape on the card and use scissors to cut it.

2. Draw the shape of the cone on the felt. The cone needs to match the size and proportion of the ice cream.Then cut out the felt and glue it on the ice cream as the ice cream’s hat.

3. Cut some dark felt strips. Create the lattice pattern and glue them on the cone.

4. Mix different colored paint in the cups. You can use your imagination to create the colors of the ice cream’s body.

5. Pour the colors onto the ice cream-shaped card, and move around to make it flow evenly on the card board to the color you like. Then set aside to dry. (Option 2: You can also put the cup with colors upside down on the ice cream)

6. Paint the round painting board in a single color evenly as the background and wait for it to dry.

7. When all the paint has completely dried, decorate the ice cream’s face with eyes and mouth. You can create its face in your own style.

8. Glue the ice cream with its cone hat onto the background board and decorate as you like, such as adding droplets of “sweat” on the ice cream.

Photos: Uni You

This article appeared in the beijingkids September 2019 Family Foodies issue

With the mad rush to make sure every box is ticked on our Christmas gift list this year, it’s easy to forget how we might be able to shop more sustainably. Being more mindful about giving back in our communities means making the right choices when selecting what and who to buy from. Do not fret! You can revel in all your festive purchasing, knowing that your buying will also be your way of contributing to a good cause this Christmas.

These ethical makers have made it easier for us all to spread some real cheer this season to those that need it the most. Buy local, buy ethically and feel the joy that is giving.

Love & Hope

Love & Hope is a non-profit, non-government organization providing vocational training to underprivileged youth. Their boarding school and vocational center in Shunyi provides an oasis for those who need it, and facilitates the teaching and training of skills in a safe environment. Their philosophy is simple but has life-changing implications for the migrant children who are given the tools needed to secure employment in the future. Therein lies the love, and most importantly the hope: hope in others, hope in the future, and hope in life.

This Christmas Love & Hope will be selling beautifully crafted products made by the migrant children they teach in their i-sewing class. All proceeds and any donations go towards supporting the continuing development of their education and welfare.  For more information contact lovehope1004@sina.com or WeChat: 1850063292 or 18600063290

Star Fish Project

The Starfish Project has long been one of my favorite ethical makers. The non-profit organization supports vulnerable women, who with their help learn to craft wonderful pieces of jewelry made from precious stones, resilient metals, pearls and gems.

The organization’s mission is to restore hope to exploited women in Asia through their holistic care programs and their social enterprise. Women can go on to become managers, accountants, graphic designers and photographers.

Your purchase of the jewelry produced by these women goes towards the organization’s continued efforts to support women fleeing homelessness, domestic abuse and sex trafficking. Your purchase is more than a monetary contribution but an act of love for the person you are buying for and the person who needs to services the Starfish Project provides. For more information go to www.starfishproject.com

Sew Gorgeous

Everything about Sew Gorgeous is so gorgeous! From handcrafted wool and felt bags to locally designed embroidered homeware, there is literally something for everyone, from the volunteers that sew to support those in need. Blankets, cushions, place mats, Christmas decorations, bags, and all the above is what you can find when shopping for soft furnishings at the Roundabout store in Shunyi or at the many markets and bazaars Sew Gorgeous attend during seasonal and special occasions. Products can also be ordered directly through WeChat.

The charity, which was set up in 2014 by a British GP, supports disadvantaged children in China. All proceeds and donations go directly toward charities where children in need are the primary focus. This Christmas stock up on handcrafted gifts for the home for friends and family and support an awesome cause. To find out more information and make an order contact WeChat: daniellesaponara, or make a day of it and find out where they will be making an appearance as a vendor this Christmas.

Yoganda Project

The Yoganda Project is all about empowered women making the worlds best hand crafted bags in Iganga, Uganda.  In the summer of 2014 yogini and world explorer Theresa of Taozi Tree Yoga went to Uganda. She has a passion to help and support vulnerable women living in poverty. This manifested itself into a project that could provide these women with a fulfilling occupation, while simultaneously creating something beautiful for yogis of the world to enjoy!

With the ancient and spatial practice of yoga in mind, Theresa went about forming a team of women with skillful hands. Teams of seven women were given training on how to use an electric sewing machine. A new business model was created in the area, producing high quality bags.

We all have that yogi friend, or perhaps you’re a dab hand at the downward dog? Whatever the case this Christmas use your or somebody else’s love of yoga to support a project that is a self-sustaining way of lifting women and their families out of poverty. To find out more visit www.taozitreeyoga.com or contact WeChat: TheresaRae.

Photos: courtesy of vendors

When I arrived in Beijing two years ago, I had a “small corner” that was my safe space. I’d rather not venture out of the places where I felt safe: Solana Mall and the Grand Summit in Liangmaqiao where small corners have pleasant toilets and a western feel about them.

I have since ventured out through the whole of Beijing and now know many fun spots but always go back to the Grand Summit, especially in the weekend as the Farm2Neighbors (F2N) Farmers Market is located in the basement. I was so happy the first time I ran into this market and became even more excited to see affordable dirty vegetables and coconut oil. I also was happy that Beijing had a market scene, with makers and growers who take time to take their wear and sell it each weekend.

F2N Market was founded in July 2014 in the hutong and moved to the Grand Summit in 2015. And this means that they will celebrate their fourth birthday this weekend with over 55 vendors and more happenings like lucky draws, a music show, and cake-sharing.

We spoke with the organizers of F2M Market and they explained more about their mission.

F2N is a community platform dedicated to promoting sustainable lifestyle and green consumption. We do this by organizing farmers’ markets to provide the public with experience in sustainable farming, food innovation, original handcraft and eco-friendly living, building connection between local producers and consumers that allows more people to enjoy a lifestyle that is better for our health, society and the environment.

Photos: Courtesy of F2N Market

With so many makers and sellers in Beijing, we’re dedicated to bringing you all the news of the markets and fairs. The creative souls around this town deserve some attention in this summer heat. If you have any breaking news to add, please contact us.

Chocolate Tea is here

We all need a fresh new cold drink to get through this summer heat, so make way for chocolate ice tea, a refreshing cold tea which smells like chocolate. You read it right, chocolate! I usually like to eat chocolate but with my recent health stint I have been refraining from it. So this tea took care of some of my chocolate cravings, and my daughter loved it too. Find this chocolate tea from COCODEER usually to be found at the Farms to Neighbors market. Or add cocodeers on WeChat for more information.

Natura Siberica 

Natura Siberica is an imported all-natural skin care brand from Siberia. This brand has kids’ and adult skin care products. We tried and tested some of the creams and soaps and are hooked! The kids’ soap has our kids washing their hands without any problems. Natura Siberica was founded in 2007, and the products contain Siberian herbs and plants. The containers are colorful and make us happy just looking at them. There is a easy way to find these products in Beijing, add AldySha on WeChat for more information.

Rumble in the Jumble First Birthday

Mark your calendars – Rumble in the Jumble is turning one, and it won’t go past without a party. August 26 is the date for the birthday bash market, and later in the evening there’s a party with music from Rebel 5, a raffle, face painting and more birthday cheer. Watch this space for more information.

Pictures: pixabay, courtesy of the vendors