Keeping your hands busy during social distancing is a great way to stay engaged and happy. Don’t take our word for it, trust the science. But even without the backing of research, we all know the immense feeling of pride and satisfaction you get after completing a project at school or work. It is the same exact thing with crafting, with the added benefit of being able to proudly display it, which you can’t do with spreadsheets or essays.
Normally you could and should be as ambitious as your little crafty heart wants to be, but given the circumstances, we think it might be best if you first started with projects that don’t need difficult to procure supplies. So we put together a list of fun things you can make using things that are probably already lying around your house or can be delivered to your door from local stores like Mogahwi and Jarir.
Origami
Everyone has paper at home. You might have fancy square shaped origami paper, but you will definitely have regular paper. You can even rip a page out of an old notebook. This Japanese art is all about paper folding. There are thousands of shapes and designs to make and you can make anything from dinosaurs to stars and work your way to more complicated designs.
Bonus Static objects are fun, but why not try folding something that you can race like a paper airplane?
String Art
You have probably seen these somewhere. Whether on Pinterest or on Instagram, String Art is super simple but striking. You wrap string or thread around nails that have been hammered into a piece of wood. If that seems too complicated, you can actually use thumbtacks on foam or a cork board, both are easily and readily available. There are lots of great tutorials on the internet.
Bonus Once you have mastered the craft, why not make some unique one of a kind gifts for your friends and family.
Pom poms
Pom poms sound cool, look cool and are just cool. You can use a special tool that you can find in craft stores or you can make your own using cardboard. After creating your new nifty tool, go crazy making dozens of pompoms.
Bonus Use your pom poms to make the most exciting things like rugs, keychains and so much more.
Tie Dye
Psychedelic rainbow patterned shirts probably rose to fame in the 1960s and their origin is interesting. They also seem to make a comeback every couple of years in a way that makes you think they never really go out of style. All you need is something made of fabric that you would like to transform into a new fashion-forward piece and dyes. You don’t even need specialized fabric dyes, veggies and acrylic paints can work just as well.
YouTube Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBadLUHLe6E
Marbling
No, we haven’t lost our marbles just yet. Paper or fabric marbling is an interesting technique. Artists drip paint in a liquid, move it around a bit and lay a piece of paper or fabric on it for a marvelous piece of art that is impossible to imitate or copy. The instructions are quite simple but it can be messy so make sure to choose a spot that you can easily clean later.
Bonus If you have tons of old nail polish colors lying around, you might want to try nail polish marbling.
Decoupage
This might give you KinderGarden vibes. There is a lot of cutting and pasting of actual paper. The real secret is how you choose to layer images together and make these amazing compositions. It is a fantastic way to use old magazines, wrapping paper and even newspapers that you might have lying around.
Air Dry Clay
You can buy ready made air dry clay or you can make your own at home using ingredients that are easily available. Once you have the clay ready, there are dozens of things you can make.
Flower Arrangements
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden or a balcony at your home that includes options for you to get just a little bit more creative and crafty with flowers, then go for it! Interacting with some form of nature during this time might ease your heart, and we can prove that this craft is in fact extremely therapeutic, have a look at this Up Close & Personal and Truth or Dare for some inspiration. Take your pick of flowers, get crafty with a simple bouquet to embellish your home with, or pick out a few daisies and gypsies to make a flower crown just like the old days!
Embroidery
A craft that’s been practiced for centuries till this very day. It’s essentially decorating a fabric or any other material really by just using a needle to apply thread or yarn. Simple, but requires specific techniques to achieve the design you’d like. You can even include other elements while decorating the material such as pearls, beads, quills, squids and much more.
Bonus For some Inspo check out The Sandy Needle
Wall Art
A space that you can also get super crafty with is your own wall! Whether you’d like to hang some hand-painted art, make an assortment of posters like the 90s kids used to do with their favorite musicians and films, or give your crafty skills a challenge of creating assorted collages on the wall with a variety of photographs like Polaroid’s. Combining all of these elements should be fun, and if the space is there, then why not, right?
Bonus Check out Vinyl Destination for golden posters.
Hanging Jars
This is the simplest craft you can possibly try. All you need is a good mason jar, some beautiful and colorful rocks, or sea shells, a couple of plants, rope, glue, and you’re good to go for a hanging jar! The jars can be used for various things; to decorate your garden, your wall, or simply as a small trinket of light if you just add fairy lights inside the jar.
Finally, if you are completely stuck, it is never too late to go back to the old trustworthy macaroni art. Why not make your mom another pasta necklace?
Are you a die-hard DIYer with more suggestions? Drop us an email or DM us on Instagram and let us know. Photo by Vladimir Proskurovskiy on Unsplash.
