How to Make a Pom-Pom Bee

Making Pom-Pom Bees is really very easy!  Most kids are fascinated by real bumble bees and when my son was a little lad, he loved to simply sit down next to our flowers and wait for the bees arrival.  He never touched the bees; he just studied them with captivated awe.  

Because of his love for these little creatures, I set out on a mission.  I wanted to give him a bumble bee that he could touch and hold until his heart was content. 

I have always had a large craft supply on hand for when such emergencies arose.  We gathered pom poms, chenille stems, wiggly eyes and our craft glue.  Together we made a pom pom bee that he could have and hold from that day forward.

The bee pictured here was his very first pom-pom bumble bee.  That bee is about 18 years old and he is still one of my son's treasures.  I had to sneak the little bee out of my son's bedroom while my son was sleeping to take his picture so you could see him.  Fear not!  The little bee is back where he belongs and my son is still asleep :)

The Supply List

1. Black Pom-Pom ~ 1"  
   
2. Yellow Pom-Pom ~ 1 1/2" or 2"  
   
3. 1 Black Chenille Stem
4. 2 Wiggly Eyes ~ 5 mm
5. Flower Stamen
6. White Pantyhose & Floral Wire OR Silver Chenille Stem

Tools Needed

1. Low Temp Glue Gun & Glue Sticks OR Craft Glue *
   
2. Sissors
3.  Wire Cutters  (Optional)
4. Needlenose Pliers  (Optional)

*If an adult is assembling this bee, a glue gun should be used and allows a faster assembly.  However, glue guns can severely burn, therefore, if a child is making the bee, please use craft glue.  It will take approximately 1 hr. for craft glue to completely dry between steps.

1. Cut Black Chenille Stem into 4 pieces for Legs
2. Cut Flower Stamen in half for the Antennae
3. Glue the 2 Pom-Poms together  (See assembly note below.)

For A Studier Assembly

When gluing the pom-pom together, push apart the fur and glue the center of each pom-pom to the center of the other pom-pom. 

1. Glue on Eyes
2. Using 3 of the 4 Chenille Stem pieces, fold each stem piece (leg section) in half and glue on body as shown below.  Again, be sure to separate the fur and glue stem to center of pom pom.  3 leg sections need to be added to create 6 legs :)

         3.  Shape legs so bee will stand.

4.  Glue in Antennae

I am sharing my wing making technique here, and exclusively, on Wizzley.

To assemble these fabulous wings, you will need to cut a small section from a pair of white pantyhose and floral wire.  While I am certain there are other fabrics that would work just as well, hose are my preferred and proven material. 

     Note:  I will also offer alternate wing ideas

Instructions for Wings

1. Cut two 6 1/2" pieces of floral wire
2. Cut two 2" pieces of floral wire
3. Cut one 2 1/4" piece from one leg of the pantyhose.
4. Cut open that pantyhose piece and lay flat.
5. Cut pantyhose piece in half to create 2 square pieces
   
     

         6.  Shape the long wire piece as shown and twist the base tightly to hold your circle. 

              The circle should measure approx. 1 3/4" diameter.

        7.  Fold and stretch one pantyhose piece over the wire form, catching all raw edges 

             between your fingers at the bottom. (See photo below)

        8.  Twist and tighten the short 2" piece of floral wire your previously cut around the bottom

              to hold the pantyhose tightly into place with needlenose pliers.  (See photos)

        9.  Trim excess hose fabric.

      10.  Set aside and make the second wing exactly the same way.

1. Shape the wings to look like an uneven heart or earlobe. 

1. Put a bead of glue around the bottom pantyhose edges for added security.
2. Poke the wings between the head and body of the bee, tucking in the fabric edges. 
3. Glue in place if desired.

Silver Chenille Stem Wings

 These stems would be shaped the same way as the floral wire instructions above.

The Bees Were Only The Beginning!

They will also be "only the beginning" of my featured Pom-Pom Insects and Animals on Wizzley.