10 Cute Crafts You Can Knock Out in an Afternoon
Updated: Aug. 17, 2021With a few minutes and some basic materials, you can start (and finish!) these DIY projects today.
Gold Honey Bear Vase
Recycle honey bottles the way that A Beautiful Mess does and you’ll craft gorgeous gilded vases. All you need is a thoroughly washed bear-shaped container, a paintbrush, gold leaf, and 10 minutes. Want it faster? Opt for metallic gold spray paint instead.
Color-Blocked Coasters
Dress up wooden or cork coasters from any craft store with a coat of color and this cool tutorial from Poppy Talk. Just whip out the acrylic paint, a paintbrush, and some tape to get the cute look.
Paint Swatch Placemat
Make a cute, stain-proof placement in minutes with this easy project from my book InstaCraft. Cut a rectangle of clear contact paper, peel off the paper backing, and arrange paint swatches. Cover with a second layer of contact paper, then cut around paint swatches. Set on the table to enjoy.
Geometric Necklace
You can find materials at your local craft store (I made a few for sale on Etsy), but if you have no source try signing up for Darby Smart to get ideas, instructions, and materials for this and other amazing projects sent to your mailbox.
Sunglasses Bag
A basic bag looks trendy with this easy step-by-step craft from Momtastic! You can either sew or buy a small muslin or burlap bag, and then stencil or hand-draw sunglasses or other cute designs.
Paint-Dipped Pots
Put old paint samples to good use with this two-second craft from The Lovely Cupboard. Turn flower pots upside down and pour paint onto their undersides, rotating slightly so that some paint spills over the side. Let dry upside down on a piece of newspaper.
Recycled Tin Organizers
Don’t toss your favorite canisters! Put them to good use with this craft from A Pretty Cool Life: Use a strong glue (like E-600) to adhere magnets to the backs of the tins. Stick on the fridge and fill with pencils or recipe cards.
Plant Hanger
Suspend succulents to bring nature to new heights. Take Courage shows you how to knot your string of choice (wool, twine, or cord) to craft the look. How cute would a hanging herb garden be?
Pom-Pom Cake Toppers
It’s a snap to make this glittery cake addition from Pom-Poms!: 25 Awesomely Fluffy Projects. Authors Sarah Goldschadt and Lexi Walters Wright suggest you craft a pom out of gold garland (watch how) and hot-glue it onto a bamboo skewer. Insert into cake and celebrate.
Flower Ice Cubes
Do like Design Sponge and freeze some sweet violet cubes. What you need: Dried edible violets, an ice-cube tray, and H2O. Fill your trays halfway with water, sprinkle the dried violets, then top with water and freeze.
