Pottery and painting can be expensive hobbies, however, there are other ways you can be crafty without spending too much money. Check out these handmade innovations that are easy enough for you and the whole family. In the end, you can use these creations as reusable home decor or simple gifts for your family or friends.
Soft Dish
Materials:
- 1 small or medium balloon
- 1 roll of yarn
- 1 bottle of white glue
- 1 small or medium bowl
Instructions:
- Blow up your balloon. (The balloon can be any colour, as this won't be part of the end result.)
- Place the balloon in the bowl. The bottom of the balloon should be face-down at the bottom of the bowl.
- Cover the top half of the balloon with white glue and set it aside.
- Without cutting it off the roll, take a strand of yarn and roll it around the balloon, on top of the glue. Keep rolling the yarn around the balloon until it's half covered.
- Keep the balloon and yard aside for one day — this will let the yarn and glue dry. Do not remove the balloon from the bowl yet.
- On the next day, take the balloon out of the bowl. Pop the bottom of the balloon and you'll notice that the yarn and glue have dried and formed a bowl.
- Remove pieces of the balloon out of the bowl. The result? A handcrafted dish that can hold candy, spare change or sewing materials.
Memory Box
Materials:
- Magazines, newspapers, gift wrap or bumper stickers
- 1 bottle of white glue
- 1 shoebox
Instructions:
- Spread newspaper on a table so that you don't make a mess. Take your shoebox and the lid and cover them with glue separately.
- Glue on desired photos and words from your collection of magazines and newspapers. Feel free to add old gift wrap or stickers for a personal touch.
- Set the box aside for a day so that the glue can dry.
- On the next day, add memorabilia such as photos, love letters, or souvenirs — it's totally up to you.
Dollar Store Shopping Tips
Your local dollar store is the perfect place to search for craft materials. In fact, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find already-prepared kits for a number of creations, including cross stitching, knitting and scrap booking. The following is a list of art materials you can probably find at the dollar store:
- Needles and thread;
- Gift boxes;
- Candles;
- Stickers and glue;
- Charms;
- Feathers;
- Paint;
- Beads;
- Leather strips for bracelets.
Overall, there's no need to spend too much money when it comes to making crafts. Look around your home for supplies or visit the dollar store. Let your creativity run wild!
