QUICK, EASY AND INEXPENSIVE CRAFT IDEAS

Here are a few very inexpensive or cheap (depending on how you want to say it) craft ideas. Anyone can do these and I do mean anyone.

WREATHS FOR ANY OCCASION

There are several ways to make wreaths, whether for a holiday or far an all occasion one to hang on your front door. Hanging a pretty wreath on your front door says "Welcome" to all who enter.

You could, of course, go out and buy a wreath, straw, grapevine or whatever. Why? You can do it yourself.

Scrunch up some newspaper and tie it with string. You can spray paint it any color you want and then decorate. Want it flashier? Cover it with aluminum foil or gold foil. This is nice at Christmas with a red ribbon wound around it and tied in a big bow.

If you go to my tips on paper mache, then you could create a wreath out of that as well. Scrunch up the newspaper and tie it with string. Then proceed to cover it with the paper mache. Finishing touches could be the final layers done with some pretty paper.

For a heart shape, take the scrunched paper and cover it with aluminum foil first. This will make it easier to bend into the shape. Then using the paper mache method, cover and decorate for Valentines Day.

CHALKBOARD TABLE

Do you have small children or grandchildren that love to draw and color? Create a table especially for them. For this you will have to spend a few dollars, but a lot cheaper than going out and buying it.

You will need:

• A little round plywood or masonite table with the three dowel legs. (You know the ones they make to put a little tablecloth over.) Be sure to check the thrift shops first. I see them there all the time.
• A can of spray chalkboard paint
• Acrylic craft paint (optional)

Spray the top of the table; you will need to do at least 3 coats. Sand and smooth between coats to get a good finish.

You can cut the legs down if you choose. Tape them together before you measure and cut, this will give you more accuracy.

Paint the legs of the table with bright colors (the acrylic craft paint) if you choose.

Now purchase a couple or three small plastic chairs from the dollar store and the children will have a great time drawing to their hearts content. Oh, I almost forgot, you had better buy some colored chalk while you are at the dollar store. It will also make a great craft table for the children.

BLUE JEANS THROW

Recycle your old blue jeans by making a very versatile throw for the car, the sofa or the floor. Especially great for the children, cause you can’t really hurt them. Cut the jeans into squares and sew them together.

Use an old blanket for a backing; sew 3 sides together with the wrong side out. Turn to the right side and tuck the ends in and sew across. Tie it with some colorful yarn and you have a great and easy little craft quilt.

RECYCLING CRAYONS

Yes, you can. Crayons are not that expensive, but maybe your children or grandchildren will like these better.

Take the broken crayons and melt them (all the same colors together) over a double boiler, then pour the wax into candy molds. Set them aside for about an hour and pop the new and fancy crayons out.

You can find candy molds in almost any motif and they are fairly inexpensive. Check out the yard sales and thrift shops before you run to the party supply shop to purchase.

HOMEMADE FLOWER PRESS

If you press your own flowers for any reason then this is an easy way to do it. You can use them in making jewelry, decorating stationary, lampshades; just any number of crafts. Simply use your big phone book and place the flowers inside, it will hold a great number. Then put something heavy on top of the book and leave it for a couple of weeks.

Couldn’t be cheaper, cause it’s free, and couldn’t be easier.

Some flowers take longer to dry than other, so check them carefully before you remove them from the phone book.

DECORATING JAR OR CAN FLATS (easy craft even for children)

Do you need a tray for something and you don’t have it? Or maybe something to use as a bedside container? Maybe a container for someone in a nursing home?

You will need:

• 1 jar or can flat (the kind soda pop comes in is perfect)
• Used cards of any kind (if it is for Christmas use Christmas cards, Easter, Valentines, etc.) Or family pictures.
• White glue
• Ribbon, ric-rac, yarn, buttons anything you want, if you want decoration.

Simply glue the cards or pictures onto the cardboard in any arrangement or configuration that suits you. Cover completely and then if you wish, decorate. Let dry and enjoy.

OLD FASHIONED ICE CANDLES (fun craft for children, with supervision of course)

These are great used in the middle of an arrangement. They look really beautiful while burning.

You will need:

• Clean waxed paper milk or juice cartons
• Ice chips
• Canning wax (available in most grocery stores) about 1 ½ boxes or 1 ½ lbs.
• Coffee can or pan to melt the wax in
• Colored taper candle

Melt the wax over a double boiler, slowly. Do not walk away from this, it can be flammable.

Center the colored candle in the carton and surround it to the top with ice chips.

Carefully pour the melted wax over the ice until the carton is full. Let set for at least 2 hours. Then pour out the water and carefully peel off the carton.

The wax will have holes in it similar to swiss cheese. It looks somewhat lacy and is really pretty. Each and everyone will be different. Some of the colored wax will come through as the center candle burns.

ANOTHER USE FOR SEA SHELLS

If you have some nice large sea shells and some leftover scented wax, then turn them into small candles.

Great to use in the bathroom or bedroom. Wonderful to give as gifts. A Bridal Shower gift of towels, scented soap and sea shell candles, any Bride would love it.

You need sea shells and some wicking (available at the craft store). Some small washers (out of your husband’s tool box), or the junk drawer.

Melt your wax over a double boiler, slowly. Tie the wick onto the small washers and place into the bottom of the shell. Pour just enough wax to set the washer, let cool. Then add more wax to the depth you want. Either hold the wick in place with your fingers until it sets or tie it around a pencil and suspend between two glasses. This works better, less tiring.

A SECOND LIFE More ideas from around the web on how to re-use items before you recycle them. Great ideas for your craft room.

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