Gold Coins

There are three ways to make gold coins.

Ages 4 and up
For the first method of making the coins you will need:

Piece of Cardboard
Scissors
Pencil
Gold acrylic paint
Optional:
Black marker or paint

Draw small circles about an inch - two inches in diameter on the piece of cardboard. Most stiff cardboard will work because the coins are small, thickness isn’t to much of an issue. You can even use old tissue boxes and the postcard inserts from magazines. Cut out the circles and paint with the gold paint and decorate the leprechaun coins.


Adult needed - Ages 6 and up
For the Second method of making the coins you will need:

ADULT to operate a saw
Closet Rod
Gold colored acrylic paint
Pencil
Optional:
Black marker or paint

Take a wooden closet rod and make lines starting half an inch from one end. Make a line every half inch down the side. A responsible adult should then cut the closet rod on the half inch marks to make the coins.

Once the coins have been cut, take some golden colored acrylic paint and paint the coins. I recommend at least two full coats of paint, allowing each coat to fully dry before adding another coat. Then decorate the leprechaun coins.


Ages 8 and up
For the third method of making gold coins you will need:

Small lids
Newspaper cut into strips
Paper Mache paste
Gold colored acrylic paint
Optional:
Black marker or paint

For paper mache coins I used a lid from a prescriptions bottle. You can use a prescription bottle lid or any bottled drink (soda, water or juice).

First you want to fold some of the newspaper into a square and push it into the lid (I will refer to this side as the bottom later). This will help create a more solid coin. After you have done that you are ready to paper mache the coin.

Dip the newspaper strips into the paper mache paste (go here for directions on making the paste). Pull the newspaper between your fingers to get most of the excess paste off.
Wrap the first layer one way, then wrap a second layer crisscrossing the first. Fold the edges of the paper so that the coin retains a round shape. I added a small amount of newspaper on to the bottom to give it my coin a bit more uniform look. If you need to, add a little extra paste to help it hold its shape.

When the coins are completely covered and shaped, allow to dry over night.
Adding the paper mache and shaping the coin should take about 1-2 minutes each.

Once completely dry, paint with gold colored acrylic paint, allowing each coat to fully dry before adding another coat. Then decorate the leprechaun coins.

Black Pot

First Method
Ages 5 years and up, depending on the child

To make this black pot you will need:
Empty soft margarine spread container
Black Krylon Fusion plastic spray paint,
Adult supervision

To make the black pot for the coins you will need to wash and dry the empty margarine spread container.

Next you will need to spray the inside and outside with the black spray paint. Since regular paint tends to crack due to the flexibility of the container. I highly recommend using Krylon Fusion plastic spray paint because it is made specifically for plastic and I have had really good luck with it. I recommend at least two coats, inside and out.

Allow to dry and you have a pot for your leprechaun gold coins.


Second Method
Ages 5 and up

You will need:
Empty soft margarine container
Newspaper cut into strips
Paper Mache paste
Vaseline
Black acrylic paint

This is a fairly easy paper mache project.

After preparing your paper mache paste you want to cover the out side of the soft margarine container with the Vaseline. Then dip your newspaper strips into the paste. To rid the newspaper of excess paste runs the newspaper through your fingers.

Apply the newspaper strips to only the outside of the soft margarine container overlapping the strips slightly. Add 3-4 layers of newspaper and allow to dry overnight. If necessary add a couple more layers the next day and allow to dry over night again.

When completely dry, slide the soft margarine container out of the paper mache. You will now have a paper mache pot for your coins. Paint the pot with the Black acrylic paint and allow to dry before adding your gold coins.

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