Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Valentine’s Day Craft Ideas: Love Bug Sunglasses
When I was in college, I started collecting ladybug things. When my friends and family found out, they always gave me little ladybug items to add to my collection. I loved ladybugs so much, that I got one tattooed on my ankle. I add ladybugs to many of my illustrations and art creations because over time, I decided ladybugs represented God to me. Read on to learn more about my ladybug connection to God and how to make ladybug or love bug sunglasses.
Me, wearing my completed ladybug sunglasses
I know I’m not the only one to associate God to ladybugs. I’ve read many articles about others thinking ladybugs are a symbol of a connection to God too. Whether you think of ladybugs or cardinals (sometimes my symbols change for a different spiritual connection I am feeling), or something else, I believe it’s nice to have a physical little reminder of God being with you pop up in your life, especially during a time when you may need it.
Carolyn Braden Crafts
When ladybugs first entered my life, I was struggling with what to major in my college career, a sorority that seemed to be taking over my life, and so many other things that many young college students deal with. Even though the sorority wasn’t the best place for me, it introduced me to ladybugs (it was one of their symbols), and I am grateful for that.
“In many and various ways God spoke to His people of old by the prophets.”
“But now in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.” – Hebrews 1:1-2
My love bug sunglasses
I tattooed a ladybug on my ankle shortly after joining the sorority, but I didn’t have the realization that it was one of my personal symbols for God until years later. Though I stopped collecting ladybugs when I left the sorority (on my own terms, as I decided it was not for me nor my grades), I started using them in my illustrations (I did this many years later when I quit my job in 2018 to focus on my creative talents) and they popped up again in this lovebug or lady bug sunglasses craft idea I came up with.
You can add ladybugs to any sunglasses
It makes sense that the ladybug is coming up for me again as my life right now is full of change. Change can be scary, especially if you don’t have an exact grasp on certain aspects on it, but change can also be good. We’ll be making a move to a new state after dealing with so much in our Hurricane Ian experience and that’s a big change. I feel like we just got to Sanibel Island, a place we moved to in 2020.
See me make the sunglasses in my less than a minute video tutorial below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
It was on our bucket list and it was a dream come true when it happened because it is such a peaceful and beautiful place, but that dream has changed. We still love Sanibel, but know we do not want to deal with evacuating, so much flooding and weather-related trauma again if we can help it. No weather is perfect, but where we are headed in north Georgia, we do believe we’ll be far enough away from hurricane chances. This particular hurricane was a financial and emotional rollercoaster and you can read more about it and what we learned in this article I wrote.
Take a peek inside my silly creative brain while creating this craft in my 15 second video below:
My husband and I came to the conclusion that we needed to shift our dream. When dreams change, it’s okay because I know God will be holding our hand through it. I need this reminder sometimes, like we all do. This ladybug craft idea came into my life at exact time I needed it. I’ll be wearing these ladybug or “lovebug” sunglasses (I sometimes called ladybugs “lovebugs” because I believe GOD IS LOVE).
Click the image or here to link to my sweater!
I know there are real love bugs that aren’t ladybugs at all (oh, they are a nuisance in Florida and some other states when mating!), but I like to interchange the terms in my art sometimes. And because love bug is very “Valentine’s Day”, which is the seasonal timing in which I created this craft.
This craft comes together very quickly and I recommend making yourself a pair or some for a friend or family member as they may need a sweet reminder about God loving them. Make them for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day or for any day.
Check out my other Valentine’s Day crafts, like the Applesauce Heart Ornaments below via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
I originally came up with a DIY for sprinkle sunglasses that inspired this craft. Check out my Sprinkle Sunglasses craft by clicking this link!
How to Make Love Bug Sunglasses
Tools/Products:
Plastic heart sunglasses (I got a pack of 3 on Temu for $2.01!)
Tiny resin ladybugs (I got a pack of 20 on Temu for $0.89)
Liquid Fusion Glue (I use this for all my rhinestone + plastic or metal art creations as it holds well and is clear)
Optional:
Toothpicks
Hand towel (for keeping the sunglasses even)
Directions:
1—Fold up your towel to the width of your sunglasses and wrap your sunglasses around it. This should help keep it flat.
I love Liquid Fusion glue for many craft projects
2—Use your fingers or a wax pencil tool (you can pick up the ladybugs with the wax pencil) to lay out the ladybugs around the rim of the sunglasses OR lay them out where ever you want on the glasses. I do this so I can understand what I want my design to look like before gluing.
Testing the design of the love bugs
3—Once you know where you want to place the ladybugs, start placing a dot of glue onto the back of each one and glue them onto the sunglasses.
I placed my ladybugs along the top rim of my glasses
4—If any glue oozes out, use the toothpick or the pointy ended cotton swabs to remove the excess.
My completed love bug sunglasses
5—Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours
6—Wear and enjoy!
Did you make this craft or do you have a symbol for God similar to mine? If so, let me know in the comments below!
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Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.