Borax Crystals

   A fun and easy project to do is to make crystals out of borax. Borax is a household cleaning product that can be found at nearly any store.

Ingredient List

1. Borax
2. Glass Jar (like a Mason Jar)
3. Water
4. Floss or String
5. A Pencil
6. Pipe Cleaners
7. Plastic Wrap
8. Food Coloring (optional)

Step 1: Measure water in the jar of your choosing. Have it fill the jar 3/4 of the way. Pour this water in the pan and boil it.

Step 2: While the water is boiling, take 2-3 pipe cleaners and form them into an oval/circle shape. Attach the floss or string to your circle. Then attach the other end of the floss/string to the pencil.

Step 3: Pour the boiling water into the glass jar. The ratio for putting in the borax is for every two cups of water, use 1/2 cup of borax. Add desired amount of food coloring at this point. Stir.

Step 4: Place the pipe cleaner circle into the jar. Have it be fully submerged in the water.

Step 5: Put plastic wrap over the top of the lid and sit the jar aside. Leave this untouched for 2 hours.

Step 6: After 2 hours, take the pipe cleaner contraption out and put the jar in the microwave for 2 minutes. Stir the contents of the jar and add about 2-3 more tablespoons of borax.
Put the plastic wrap back on the lid and sit the jar aside again for 12 hours.

   Now, you are finished and have a lovely looking crystal! You can hang it somewhere in your room or cut the string and use it as a beautiful paper weight. The possibilities are endless! Just remember: craft, not cry!

This is one of the crystals I made following this how-to.