From a stalk in the garden to a figure of Irish folklore, the okra pod undergoes a delightful transformation.

With a flash of emerald paint and a glimmer of gold, it becomes a tiny leprechaun, a character straight out of a fairy tale.

These little folk feel like they’ve just popped out from a hidden place at the end of a rainbow, their dried bodies perfectly suited to their new, enchanted lives.

Moreover, they are a beautiful blend of the natural world and a bit of folk magic, a perfect way to bring a legendary story to life.

Materials Needed

• 10-12 dried okra pods (select straight, well-formed pods)
• Green craft paint and a small brush
• White craft paint and a black paint pen or fine marker
• Googly eyes (small size)
• Small pink beads or pink paint for noses and mouths
• Reddish-brown yarn or raffia
• Green felt for hats
• Small squares of gold craft paper or gold glitter
• Small green ribbon
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Twine

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Start with a completely dried okra pod. Using your green craft paint, carefully paint the entire pod.

You may need to apply a second coat to get a vibrant, even color. Let it dry completely.

Step 2: Once the green is dry, add the clothes. Use your white paint to create a vertical stripe down the front of the pod for the shirt.

With your black paint pen, draw small dots down the shirt to look like buttons. Then add a black belt and a tiny gold square for the buckle.

Step 3: Now, for the face! Glue on the googly eyes and a small pink bead for the nose.

You can also add a tiny dot of pink paint for the mouth. This is where your leprechaun’s personality really starts to shine through!

Step 4: Next, create the beard. Cut a small piece of reddish-brown yarn and unravel the strands to create a fluffy texture. Glue this right below the nose to form the beard.

Step 5: Make the hat. Cut a small rectangle of green felt for the hat's body and a small circle for the brim.

Next, form the rectangle into a tube and glue it to the center of the circle. Add a black felt band and a tiny gold buckle to the hat.

Step 6: Finally, bring it all together. Glue the finished hat onto the top of the okra pod and attach a small green ribbon bow tie.

To make it an ornament, simply loop a piece of twine through the top of the hat and tie it off.

Tips:

The beauty of this project is that each leprechaun will be completely unique.

I loved giving each one a different beard style and slightly different expression. They look great as part of a wreath or hung from a branch in a vase for a festive, springtime centerpiece.