Craft Like There’s No Tomorrow!

Crafting is one of life’s joys! Whether we’re working on a project ourselves or teaching others the skills we’ve acquired over the years, it’s pure pleasure. This is why it’s worth hunting out new crafts to enjoy, along with the tried and true. Below, you’ll find some of the more unusual crafts that keep others, just like you, enthralled. Why not give them a go, and get hooked all over again!

Pine needle coiling

Domestic objects, such as plates, bowls, and lidded containers have been made from pine needles for hundreds of years. The origin of these beautifully crafted objects is said to come from European, African, and Native American cultures. The secret to crafting with pine needles is to choose the very longest you can find. While you may not have the more unusual conifers that produce these extra-long needles growing in your own backyard, they are very likely to be found in parks and gardens close to home – so take a walk and check it out (always be sure to ask permission before removing any natural materials from a public space). There are several sites that give instructions on how to make pine needle objects, but one we couldn’t go past, for its clear direction, is Wild She Goes.

Wire Wrapping

Crafting with found objects has taken off in recent times – perhaps because we all have a secret desire to conjure beauty from next to nothing. One of the best ways to incorporate found objects into crafting is with the art of ‘wire wrapping.’ Wire wrapping is essentially the skill of caging found objects such as attractive stones, pieces of sea-smoothed, coloured glass, a pretty piece of china with smooth edges, or even a piece of polished native wood. Thin, soft wire in silver, copper, or gold is artfully twisted around the object, and used to create a tiny loop through which a chain or waxed string can be threaded to create a piece of personalised jewellery. We enjoyed the clear, precise instructions for wire wrapping from a Kiwi presenter at Creative Funk. We hope you do, too!

Spring to it!

Spring is in the air, and shrubs, hedges, and trees are putting on growth apace, making it the season to get weaving with supple new growth that can be bent and woven into useful objects for the garden. Whether you want to create a light, low edging to hold back garden soil, or build a low shelter for your bush beans or summer annuals, you’ll find all the inspiration and instruction you need to get you started in ‘How to Make Willow Structures for Your Garden.’ But don’t let the ‘willow’ reference confine you to only this material! Water shoots from hazels, fresh bamboo, and young growth from a myriad of other trees will also work – just be sure to test out their suppleness with some serious bending before you gather!

Wreaths for any season

Who doesn’t love a decorative floral wreath, enjoyable in any season? Make and decorate them with fresh flowers to welcome spring, stud them with fragrant conifer greenery at Christmas, decorate them with bright foil-wrapped chocolate eggs at Easter, and festoon them with dried flowers in winter. We love the fact you can make your own wreath base from simple garden ingredients as illustrated in this no fuss demonstration from Dew and Bloom Flower Farm. Once you’ve constructed your basic wreath form, grab the glue gun and soft wire, and head to the net for season-by-season inspiration on how to decorate it! We enjoyed Easter ideas from The Pioneer Woman, this gorgeous Eid Mubarak wreath from Hello Holidays, and for birthday wreaths we couldn’t go past Pinterest’s Gagagallery. If you enjoy making seasonal wreaths, why not consider selling them at your local farmers market!

Crafts of any kind are fun, but step outside those you know best, and a whole new world of creativity awaits!