Crafts That Can Be Made at Home

Businesswoman and former Miss Texas, Phyllis George, once said, "Our ancestors used to create these crafts out of necessity, and now we do them for fun, to make money and to express ourselves." Crafting allows an individual to connect with her heritage while engaging in activities that she enjoys. Whether you craft as a pastime or for profit, the possibilities for this home-based activity are virtually endless.

Revive Old Junk

Reupholstering worn-out furniture transforms its appearance.

Embark on an adventure into a cluttered shed or dusty attic to see what junk awaits transformation into something wonderful. If a set of old kitchen chairs is worn and unattractive, sandpaper, wood stain, padding and fabric are all you need to make them look new again. Reupholster an old recliner, create a mosaic with vintage ceramic coffee mugs or liven up the garden by painting paving stones that have been left untouched for months. From an old carpet, cut out shapes such as hearts, stars and circles to make area rugs for the living room or a child's bedroom. Drill holes in plastic figurines to make nifty, original salt and pepper shakers.

Spruce Up Home Decor

Add an elegant flair to your home by crafting fancy window valances.

Take a look around your home and make note of drab areas. If your curtains are unnoticeable because they blend in with all the other colors in the house, design a fabric valance with contrasting colors. Embellish centerpieces, such as plain votive candles, with pressed flowers or by sprinkling colorful potpourri along the base to add a vibrant touch. Decorate bland light fixtures by replacing the regular pull-chains with colored chains that have decorative ends. Illuminate photo frames by placing a push-light behind them and painting the frames with high-gloss color.

Turn Trash Into Treasure

Reusing items that would otherwise be thrown in the garbage helps reduce waste.

Don't throw out anything or even drop it in a recycling bin before considering its value as a crafting material. For example, you can wash tin cans, sand down their sharp edges and turn them into decorative tin men figures for your garden. Cut up cardboard boxes and use them as a base for bean art, in which you create an image by gluing beans of various colors onto the cardboard. Turn an old CD into scratchboard art with the aid of black acrylic paint and a paperclip, turn it into a sun-catcher or use several to create a hanging mobile.

Craft With Kids

Naturally imaginative, children benefit from the creative outlet that crafting provides.

Spend time with your child engaging in crafts such as making edible finger paints with vanilla pudding cups and food coloring. Make dry-erase boards by placing a blank sheet of copy paper in an 8-inch-by-10-inch photo frame. When you're out of ideas on what to do next, ask your child for suggestions. It will give her a chance to exercise her imagination while helping to recharge your own with fresh ideas. Ask your child to help you with your craft just as you help with hers.