Warning: Read This and You'll Catch the Crafting Bug!
Creating something with your own two hands brings immense satisfaction as well as myriad health benefits. Here's how to get started
Making something by hand, whether it’s a knitted cosy for your favourite coffee mug, a table you built yourself or a hand-stamped card, creates a feeling of satisfaction that buying something in a shop simply doesn’t. If you’re curious about trying out a craft or DIY home project, the hardest part of all may be committing the time to pursuing your idea. But in the midst of a busy life, the balance that engaging in a homemade, unplugged pursuit can bring is well worth it. At the end of an hour of creative time, you will likely feel mentally refreshed and revived … now that’s something TV can’t do for you!
Check out these tips for getting inspired, setting up your space, choosing a project, getting help and connecting with like-minded others.
Check out these tips for getting inspired, setting up your space, choosing a project, getting help and connecting with like-minded others.
Set up your space
Once you’ve zeroed in on a craft you want to explore, carve out the space to do your work. We’ve all drooled over those amazing photos of dream studios and workshops, but the truth is, you don’t need a massive space or fancy new furniture to get started. Work with the space you have available and pull from furnishings you already own. Making do is better for the creative spirit anyway.
See more about how to get the creative space you crave
Once you’ve zeroed in on a craft you want to explore, carve out the space to do your work. We’ve all drooled over those amazing photos of dream studios and workshops, but the truth is, you don’t need a massive space or fancy new furniture to get started. Work with the space you have available and pull from furnishings you already own. Making do is better for the creative spirit anyway.
See more about how to get the creative space you crave
Choose a project
Now is the time to choose what you will work on first. Select something that is calling out to you – something that is inspiring yet also looks doable. If you are realistic about your skill level, you will have better results. If you want to learn about furniture restoration, for instance, start small by painting a flea market cabinet and lining the doors with pretty fabric (like the one pictured), not by reupholstering an armchair.
Now is the time to choose what you will work on first. Select something that is calling out to you – something that is inspiring yet also looks doable. If you are realistic about your skill level, you will have better results. If you want to learn about furniture restoration, for instance, start small by painting a flea market cabinet and lining the doors with pretty fabric (like the one pictured), not by reupholstering an armchair.
Be patient with yourself … and take plenty of breaks
Creative work can be fun, but crafting also has its moments of pure terror. Too strong a word? If you’ve ever been a dozen hours into a crafting project and realised you’ve been doing it all wrong, you might not think so. Be kind to yourself and expect things to not go smoothly 100 per cent of the time.
Much crafting work takes intense concentration, so remember to weave in regular breaks. Put on music you love, sip a cup of tea, go for a walk and then come back to your project, refreshed and renewed.
Creative work can be fun, but crafting also has its moments of pure terror. Too strong a word? If you’ve ever been a dozen hours into a crafting project and realised you’ve been doing it all wrong, you might not think so. Be kind to yourself and expect things to not go smoothly 100 per cent of the time.
Much crafting work takes intense concentration, so remember to weave in regular breaks. Put on music you love, sip a cup of tea, go for a walk and then come back to your project, refreshed and renewed.
Get help
When things really go awry, it can be tempting to throw in the towel. But if you have been enjoying your creative time, there are still ways to salvage your work if you choose to. The ideal choice is to find a local craft studio – a place that offers workshops and classes is best, but many fabric, yarn and home improvement shops can be a great help, too. Call ahead and see if you can bring in your project to get help with a tricky part.
If there is nothing available locally, then it’s time to hop online and find some virtual support. There are many blogs and online communities (Ravelry is the go-to help spot for knitters and crocheters) willing and ready to help out a crafter in need. There are also tonnes of free how-to videos out there; a quick search should turn up a bunch.
When things really go awry, it can be tempting to throw in the towel. But if you have been enjoying your creative time, there are still ways to salvage your work if you choose to. The ideal choice is to find a local craft studio – a place that offers workshops and classes is best, but many fabric, yarn and home improvement shops can be a great help, too. Call ahead and see if you can bring in your project to get help with a tricky part.
If there is nothing available locally, then it’s time to hop online and find some virtual support. There are many blogs and online communities (Ravelry is the go-to help spot for knitters and crocheters) willing and ready to help out a crafter in need. There are also tonnes of free how-to videos out there; a quick search should turn up a bunch.
Use what you have
It is shockingly easy to spend lots of money on craft and DIY project supplies. Rein in spending by searching your own home for supplies before hitting the store – get creative and challenge yourself to come up with a project using just what you have at hand.
For example, in the dining room shown here, blogger Melissa de la Fuente used old botanical prints as DIY wallpaper and covered the interior of her vintage secretary with burlap.
It is shockingly easy to spend lots of money on craft and DIY project supplies. Rein in spending by searching your own home for supplies before hitting the store – get creative and challenge yourself to come up with a project using just what you have at hand.
For example, in the dining room shown here, blogger Melissa de la Fuente used old botanical prints as DIY wallpaper and covered the interior of her vintage secretary with burlap.
Share your handiwork
When you finish a project, snap a few photos of your work, then upload them to your Houzz profile to share with the community. If you have a blog, you could share the photos and a bit about your process in a blog post. But even if you don’t have a blog, sharing your work in an online forum with like-minded crafters can be a real ego boost.
When you finish a project, snap a few photos of your work, then upload them to your Houzz profile to share with the community. If you have a blog, you could share the photos and a bit about your process in a blog post. But even if you don’t have a blog, sharing your work in an online forum with like-minded crafters can be a real ego boost.
Host a crafting group
What’s more fun than working on a knitting, crochet or DIY project on a rainy evening? Try doing it with a group of friends who share your passion. If you are starting your own group, you can make the rules – think about whether you want to limit it to one craft or keep it open to whatever members want to create. You could take turns leading the group in making a project workshop-style or leave it freeform.
No matter how you structure the group, set out some tasty snacks and beverages, and provide seating that is appropriate for the type of craft you will be working on. Knitters can plop down anywhere, but other project work may require table space for spreading out materials. Plan ahead to have the right furniture and gear available.
What’s more fun than working on a knitting, crochet or DIY project on a rainy evening? Try doing it with a group of friends who share your passion. If you are starting your own group, you can make the rules – think about whether you want to limit it to one craft or keep it open to whatever members want to create. You could take turns leading the group in making a project workshop-style or leave it freeform.
No matter how you structure the group, set out some tasty snacks and beverages, and provide seating that is appropriate for the type of craft you will be working on. Knitters can plop down anywhere, but other project work may require table space for spreading out materials. Plan ahead to have the right furniture and gear available.
Keep a craft and DIY notebook
If you enjoy making things, it can be quite helpful to keep track of what you make, as well as a list of what supplies you have on hand. As your stash grows, it will become easier to buy more of the same materials you already have, simply because you forgot they were there. You can also use your notebook or Ideabook to jot down ideas for future projects, and notes to refer to if you make the same project a second time.
TELL US
Are you a crafter? Love to DIY? What attracts you to making things by hand? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you enjoy making things, it can be quite helpful to keep track of what you make, as well as a list of what supplies you have on hand. As your stash grows, it will become easier to buy more of the same materials you already have, simply because you forgot they were there. You can also use your notebook or Ideabook to jot down ideas for future projects, and notes to refer to if you make the same project a second time.
TELL US
Are you a crafter? Love to DIY? What attracts you to making things by hand? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Before choosing a project to work on, it helps to explore with an open mind. The world of crafts is your oyster! Dive into a great big pile of art, craft and design books and magazines, browse the Houzz DIY section, plus visit the library or a well-stocked book shop and see what catches your eye. Did you once learn a craft, such as knitting or sewing, and drop it? Pick it up again – or try something completely different.
Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.