Hawaiian coconuts are useful for creating crafts around the home.
For Hawaiians, the coconut tree symbolizes life. It symbolizes life because of the various materials and food that can be made from its wood, palm branches and coconuts. The tree also symbolizes deep ancestral roots of the Polynesians that populated the islands because of the coconut tree's strength and flexibility. You can make many crafts from the Hawaiian coconut that are useful, as well as beautiful.
Coconut Preparation
For crafts using coconuts there are certain ways the coconut will need to be prepared in order to begin the project. Examine the coconut for three small holes. One of these holes will be off to the side from the other two, this is where the preparation begins. The hole that is off from the other two is where you will drain the milk from the coconut. Use a knife to remove the soft-shell covering over the hole. Once the cover is removed, gently press the knife into the coconut. If the knife doesn't go through, use a hammer and nail or drill bit to form a hole. Drain the milk from the coconut. Saw the coconut in half, length wise, and use a clamp to safely hold the coconut in place. Remove as much meat from the inside of the shell using a spoon and rinse out any remaining meat. Allow the coconut to dry before using.
Coconut Candle
After the coconut shell is cut, clean and dry, one of the projects you can make with your coconut shell is a candle. You can make coconut candles two different ways. To make the first candle, use a hot glue gun to glue the bases together, the inside of the coconuts will be facing outwards. Set the glued shells on a table top with the inside of one coconut facing upwards and the other facing the bottom of the table. Pour hot, melted wax into the inside of the top coconut shell. Add a wick and let the wax harden. For another version of a coconut candle, glue one half of the coconut shell on top of a piece of bamboo. Stick the bamboo stick in the ground and pour in hot wax and add a wick. This is now a tiki candle for outside use. Use the other half of the coconut shell to cover the candle so the wick doesn't get wet when the candle isn't being burned.
Maracas
Maracas are musical instruments that make not only an educational toy for children, but also serve as a decorative piece for your home. Add 1/2 cup of dried beans or small rocks to one of the coconut halves. Glue the other coconut half on top of the half that's filled, inside to inside. Glue a wooden dowel or piece of bamboo to one side of the shell. Add embellishments as needed and when the maraca is dry, hold the stick and give it a shake to create some musical noise.
Coconut Head
Create a summer centerpiece to display on the dinning room table in your home using coconuts. This is a project that can be done at any age because it requires no cutting. Use craft glue to glue wiggly eyes and other embellishments to make your coconut head unique. Use felt fabric to make a hat or hair for your head or use paint to add other facial features. Set on you table and enjoy.
Tags: coconut shell, candle glue, coconut half, coconut knife, coconut tree