Finding that sweet spot – the perfect gift for a teen or young adult – can be tricky.
Hi, I’m Kory, and I have several sweet gift ideas to share, including my favorite candy recipe. I recently came here from San Diego, where I worked with teens in art programs, to study for my masters degree in arts administration. Along with learning to adjust to the Boston climate(!), I’m learning new art and craft activities here at Artbeat. I recently learned something new that is so perfect for a teen, older child, or adult that I wanted to share it with you.
1. Take a look at these needle felted coasters.When I first saw them, I was amazed at the results. I couldn’t at all figure out how the project was done, and I was expecting a difficult process that required a lot of skill and a steady hand. I was so surprised to discover just how easy and fun needle felting actually is! The needle felting method is effortless and, like so many projects, relaxing. The needles are easy to use (provided you have a gentle hand) and the method is intriguing. The results are fabulous and so satisfying for the time that you have spent on each project.
Pictured here are small coasters, however the needle felting possibilities are endless. At Artbeat we have needle felting starter sets that use beautiful alpaca wool. You can even buy kits for making needle felted animals and little gnomes.
2. I have always loved decoupage, and now that I’ve discovered our sophisticated Decopatch papers I am even more inspired. When done carefully, decoupage looks like intricate painting, but it is so easy! I would love to help you put together a custom decoupage kit for a teen, adult, 
or older child, complete with papers, glue, brush, instructions, and some wooden bangles or one of the unusual mache forms we just brought in from France: curvy boxes, and charming tortoises, penguins, owls, and horses.
3. Teens Rock! But that’s not always the message they hear. Make sure the teen in your life knows how you really feel with a YOU ROCK coffee mug filled with kisses or homemade peppermint bark (my recipe follows)
P.S. Because I love working with teens, I am helping to plan some really exciting activities for our Friday Pizza Nights in the new year. This is a time when older kids and teens gather to make art and share some good eats. Stay tuned to learn more!
Kory’s Peppermint Bark Recipe
A delightfully easy and quick recipe that will make everyone think you’re a pro. It even involves a hammer!
You’ll need:
- 2 lbs of white chocolate chips or bar
- about a cup of candy cane pieces
- 1 – 2 Tbs of peppermint extract, to taste (I like mine extra minty!)
Stick about 30 small peppermint candies or canes, unwrapped, in a large ziploc bag. While in bag, whack those pieces with a hammer. Really release your aggression and get those pieces nice and small; almost like dust dispersed with some larger pieces.
Pour white chocolate into a double boiler and melt until chocolate is silky and smooth. Take it off the heat. Add peppermint pieces and extract. Lick fingers!
Pour warm mixture in a baking sheet over wax paper. Refrigerate overnight – or at least one hour if you’re impatient.
After Bark is hard, break into desired sized pieces. No need for accuracy, different shapes and sizes look really festive.
Everyone will ask where you got the candy! When you tell them that you made it, they will be so impressed with your confectionery ability.
You don’t have to tell them it involved a hammer – and only about 5 minutes of your time!
