Making your own home decorations can really stamp your personality on your living space. Home crafting is one of my favorite past times, and I just love the chance to get creative and let loose with some unique pieces. It’s not that hard to do, either. So, if you are a little worried about trying your hand at home-made crafts, then why not try these simple ideas? You’ll learn the basics while having a lot of fun, and it won’t be long before you can let your imagination run wild.
Fabric Samples from a Local Craft Fair
Frame Up Your Photos
Let’s start with the easiest of all – framing one of your self-taken photos. You can build a frame from virtually anything you like, from driftwood to discarded metals, or even old ceramic tiles. I love this rustic frame made from sticks, faux moss and a few flowers, for example. The only limits are your imagination, and it is such an easy way of getting started into home crafts. All you need is some material to use, some scissors, glue and string, and once you have finished, you will have an entirely unique picture in a handmade frame. It’s a very rustic effect for city or country dwellers alike.
Cork Notice Board
If you enjoy a glass of wine with your meal, why not start saving up those corks? They can be used in a number of ways to create some interesting pieces, but my favorite by far has to be the cork notice board. All you need to get started are plenty of corks and a good-sized piece of thin plywood. Use glue guns to fix the corks to the plywood, and cover the entire piece. Once it has dried, and the corks are stuck fast, use some of the framing ideas above to finish it off. You’ll be left with a stunning and hardy notice board that you can pin important info on with ease.
Leaf Painting
Leaf painting is such an easy activity that even kids can do it well. In fact, if you have children, it’s an excellent way to get them into crafts as well as teaching them about nature. All you need is some good quality paint, a brush, and a healthy dollop of creativity. How you paint them is up to you. Silvers and golds are great for the festive period (try making a garland or surround an advent wreath with them). However, you can get some excellent effects just by choosing some coordinated colors and either sticking them to your all or arranging them on a mantel or shelf.
Pot Pourri Hangers
If your wardrobe is getting a little musty, then why not make things a bit more appealing to the nose? Head to your local craft store and pick up some attractive material. Lace is always good for the more feminine amongst you, and some standard polyester will also be needed. Grab some tracing paper and an old clothes hanger, and use a pencil to draw an outline. Flip the hanger over and do the other side, leaving an inch or so for a border. You now have a template for cutting your fabric, so do that and put aside for the time being. Next, wrap the polyester strips across the shoulders, making them nice and plump. You can now secure the hanger to one side of the fabric with glue, place some of your favourite potpourri inside, and then seal the other side. Use faux flowers for added effect, and you are done! A beautiful hanger that not only looks great but will improve the smell of all your clothes!
Make A Keyholder
Need to spruce up your key holder? There are plenty of ideas that can turn this most mundane of objects into a genuine talking point. Whatever style your home is, you can create some truly stunning key holders with ease. Pieces of driftwood will look great hanging on your wall if you have a nature theme running through your house. For a more funky look, just buy some kids’ alphabet blocks, add some screws, and fix the to the wall with sticky-backed plastic. You can spell out any words that you like – even going so far as to personalizing them, so you and your partner never have to argue over keys again.
Create Unique Lampshades
Creating your own lampshades is so easy to do, yet so few people attempt it. Pick up a DIY lampshade kit and come up with some ideas. You can either wrap it in old wallpaper offcuts or use fabric. A good material allows a little extra creativity, as you can create a self-inspired design or pattern. Just buy plain material and sculpt a lino block to your liking. Then dip the block into the paint of your choice, and go wild with your design. It is simple and cheap enough to make plenty of mistakes when you are just starting out.
Make Use Of Your Cardboard
If you go into any home design store, you will often find beautiful storage boxes made from vinyl or cardboard. But, when you look at the price tag, all of sudden they don’t seem that pretty at all. Why spend the money when you can make your own storage boxes for a fraction of the price? Even an old shoebox can look magnificent wrapped in some cheap hessian or burlap and a simple design printed on it. You could also look at your local thrift store for old metal handles to stick on. Even old wallpaper and some off cut upholstery fabric can turn a standard delivery box into a glorious storage unit. Again, all you need is a glue gun, some excellent raw materials, and a good imagination.
I hope this post has given you some ideas on how to jazz up your living space. It is so much easier than you think to create something entirely unique. None of these ideas are expensive, so even if you struggle with the learning curve you will be able to afford to make mistakes. Happy crafting!
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