crafting

Ask the Readers: Are You a Crafter?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:30:06 +0000

Crafting is a great way to express your creativity and, in many cases, make something you can use, gift, or sell. And there are so many kinds of crafts! Ceramics, knitting, woodworking, jewelry-making, metalsmithing, leatherworking...the list just goes on! If you enjoy working with your hands, then there's a craft for you.

Are you a crafter? What crafts do you do, and what kinds of costs are involved? How do you use your craft to save (or make) money? Is there a craft you've never tried but would like to?

Tell us about your crafts and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

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Good Luck!

Tell us about your crafts and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

20 Cheap and Easy DIY Kitchen Improvements

Marla Walters — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 12:00:09 +0000

Cook, clean, repeat. Making meals day in and day out is a lot of work! No wonder Americans dine out between four and five times per week. Are you ready to lighten your load a little, or cheer up your kitchen space? If so, here are 20 fun and easy DIY improvements.

1. Fancy Furniture to Kitchen Island

Google some of the images for "dresser into kitchen island" and you'll be as stoked as I was (and you'll be looking at dressers along with me, at yard sales!). Not only are these practical, but some of them are really great-looking.

2. Cutting Board Holder

Do you use separate cutting boards for raw meats and another for ready-to-eat foods? Safer, for sure, but storing multiple cutting boards can be a pain. Sleek sets of cutting boards aren't cheap ($30 and up), so instead try one of these wire step file organizers at a bargain for $11.75 (even less if used). It'll also hold some cookbooks and small baking sheets.

3. Ditch the Drawers

Ugh, my poor, aching, back. I have come to despise my deep cupboards (where is that darn yellow casserole dish?). Maybe I'll install these awesome DIY pullout drawers.

4. Make a Cheerful Rug

Love my hardwood floors, but rugs do "warm up" the room, and they are nice to stand on while doing dishes. Why not make your own?

5. Sharp Storage

I love my big knife block, but if your knives weren't all purchased together, consider this handy magnetic knife bar. At less than $25, it'll keep your knives easy to find. It's also easy to install.

6. Hang 'Em High

Pots and pans everywhere? I know, I had that problem, too, until my husband built me a hanging pot rack. This project takes only about 45 minutes and what a terrific space-saver it is.

7. Fun Retro Look

Putting ingredients into Mason jars not only looks neat in your pantry, but the clear glass is practical. Take it a step further with a label maker and go nuts organizing.

8. Shelf Space

Wall space with no cupboards attached? Lucky you — try your hand at building some floating shelves and store/display your stuff.

9. Peg It

Remember pegboard? Guess what: It's cool again. Pegboard is inexpensive stuff, and it's not just for the garage, anymore. Paint it, or leave it in its natural state, add hooks, and ta-daah! Instant storage. A 2' x 4' piece is only about $6.

10. Cover It

I have, like… zero... craft ability, but even I can run a hot glue gun. You can use twine, rope, or even raffia to cover an old coffee can; fill with spatulas, ladles, wooden spoons. Then, utensils are not only easy to find, but look great.

11. Hook It

Don't forget about cup hooks! For about $6, you can buy a package of 30 sturdy hooks. Just screw them in "wasted space" spots in your kitchen and voilà! Hang up potholders, aprons, and, well, cups.

12. Outdoors In

I love fresh fruit in a bowl, but it does take up valuable counter space. Solution? Snag an inexpensive plant holder on clearance in a big-box garden shop and hang it inside for a "hanging" fruit basket.

13. DIY Countertop

Building your own concrete countertop is not a project for a beginner or a weekend, but if you have the skills, it's pretty cool!

14. Spicy Solution

No built-in spice rack? Don't despair. Here is a spice-rack project that can easily be done in an afternoon.

15. What's for Dinner?

Like those big menu boards you see in restaurants? How about a place to easily write shopping lists, post family notes, or schedules? Try making your own dry-erase board — a project that is really fun and practical!

16. Plant It!

Fresh herbs make your cooking efforts so much better. Why not plant an indoor herb garden? It's a snap. I love having chives, rosemary, basil and cilantro around.

17. Rakishly Handsome

Watch for old rakes at yard sales. Cut the handles down, clean, and hang on a wall. A rake is, as it turns out, perfect for hanging wineglasses, potholders, or kitchen towels, and they have a lot of fun character.

18. Re-Purpose the Wipes Container

Love those handy pop-up wipes containers? Re-use by covering with pretty wrapping or contact paper, and fill with plastic bags.

19. Snack Extravaganza

Hanging shoe pockets aren't just for shoes. Hang one in your pantry and add snacks, tea and cocoa packets, gravy or sauce mix packets, etc.

20. Cookbook Character

Need additional cookbook storage? Why not try making a bookshelf out of a pallet? The instructions include super-helpful information about how to select safe pallet wood.

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This article is from Marla Walters of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Ways to Decorate Your Christmas Tree for Under $30

Kentin Waits — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 12:00:14 +0000

When I moved into my first "grown-up" apartment after college (many moons ago, now), I wanted to do everything just right — including the holidays. But between travel expenses and a growing gift list, my holiday tree-trimming budget was tight.

Without years' worth of accumulated ornaments, I had to get creative and keep my spending in check. Here's how I did it — and here are 10 ideas to decorate your own Christmas tree for under $30.

1. Take a Walk in the Woods

Potential ornaments are all around us — even outside. Pine cones are classic holiday decorating fare. Even better, they're sustainable, biodegradable, and entirely free.

Add dimension to dried pine cones with flocking. Just dip the tips of the pinecone scales in glue and brush with white, silver, or gold flocking powder. Fresh out of flocking supplies? Leftover household or craft paint (applied very lightly) works too. When done, attach a twine or satin loop to the broadest end and hang!

2. Tie One On

Simple bows all in the same color add drama and elegance to a tree. Use them as ornaments in their own right or to fill in sparse areas between traditional ornaments. At this very moment, my local dollar store is selling a package of 18 small red "velvet-like" bows for $1.00.

3. Get Thrifty

You really can find anything at thrift stores — including Christmas tree ornaments. Oddly enough, many ornaments that find their way into secondhand stores are handmade (donated during estate liquidations or as part of a family's downsizing project, I suspect). Give these little one-of-a-kind treasures new life by making them part of your annual holiday tree. Most secondhand ornaments can be picked up for $. 25 to $. 50 apiece.

4. Pick Up Sticks

Have a yard full of leaves and twigs? Me too. Arrange five 3"– 4" long sticks into a rustic star shape, securing each of the five points with thin wire or twine. Use wire or twine to also reinforce the five areas where two sticks intersect/overlap. Nestle completed ornaments into the boughs of your tree or feature a large one as a tree-topper.

5. Frame It

Recycle tiny photo frames by turning them into unique ornaments. Insert vintage holiday scenes cut from old greeting cards or trim family snapshots down to size. Then, hot glue a loop of nylon ribbon on the back for easy hanging.

6. Fold It

Mastering basic origami forms like stars, hearts, cranes — and even Christmas trees — doesn't take much time, and it's an activity kids will gladly try with you. As I write this, there's a 1000-sheet set of origami paper for sale on eBay for $9.73 (shipping included). That's a lot of ornaments!

Nestle finished creations in the boughs of your tree, but remember, fresh-cut trees can dry out quickly and pose a fire hazard. Use extra caution when combining paper ornaments with natural branches and hot holiday lights.

7. Uncap It

Don't toss out those bottle caps. Instead, arrange three into a snowman shape (concave sides up) and connect by hot gluing a single strand of ribbon the back. Paint the concave sides white then add frosty facial details with permanent marker or paint.

8. Unlock It

Though they're quickly getting snatched up by jewelry designers and collectors, vintage skeleton keys can be still be found at garage and estate sales for a dollar or two apiece. Add a unique look to your tree by spray painting the keys a glossy white and hanging with a bright red satin ribbon.

9. Break Out of the Mold

Small vintage aluminum baking molds can be had for less than $. 50 in most thrift stores. Collect a dozen or so in classic heart, leaf, and star shapes. Turn them into quaint tree ornaments by simply hot-gluing a loop of ribbon to the back of each.

10. Throw a Party

Why not crowdsource your tree decorating duties? Host a potluck style ornament party where guests exchange ornaments with one another. Keep the vibe lighthearted by encouraging homemade, secondhand, and comical contributions.

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This article is from Kentin Waits of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

New Ideas for Old Neckties

Staff — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:36:27 +0000

Recently, at an open mic night event my husband and I attended with friends, I noticed an interesting use of a recycled necktie. Seeing this reminded me of a skirt I saw years ago in the same medium. So I got to thinking, what else can you create from old neckties?

Guitar Strap.

This is the idea I saw at the open mic event. Grant you, it was a smaller guitar, but it was really folksy and unexpected. Not exactly something that would project much of a rock star image, but if you want to go with a folk theme, this was a fun look and definitely eco friendly.

Make a School Bag.

This one has a magnetic snap closure. You have to scroll all the way down to see all the images they are mentioning, but it illustrates pretty well how the author created her project.

Let your imagination run wild.

I found a few sources on my quest which illustrated numerous ideas each.

· There are several ideas here on a Flickr collection of photos, including a funky throw pillow and a fun clutch purse.

· Here’s a link with several tie-sewn items pictured . . . skirt, a gothic looking corset, unusual round rugs, and a fun quilt.

· Some additional runway fashion ideas here for the necktie craze. Including some interesting halter and wrap style cocktail dresses, backpacks, and additional purse designs. Oh, snap! They also have some interesting and festive looking Christmas stockings.

· Additional link for fashion ideas for old neckties.

Children’s Dress Up Item.

Let them store your old ties in their dramatic play trunk. They’ll dig it.

Donate them to a theater troupe’s costume department.

Every theater group I’ve ever run across has a need for help with their costume elements collection. They’ll go to good use.

Table Runner.

You’ll need to get creative with the fabric collage and embellishment techniques, but with some of the unusual vintage fabrics available on all the old ties out there, I’m sure those with crafting and sewing skills will be able to come up with something really unique.

Children’s Stuffed Toys.

I’ve heard of both snake and scarecrow projects.

Fabric Collage Photo Frame.

Very interesting. You can go vintage, country or funky with this one.

Make a Belt.

If you don’t want to sew, the skinny ones work better for this. Bonus? Teens dig it.

Wind Sock.

This link has some instructions. Unusual, but interesting.

Christmas Tree Skirt.

Modify the round rug idea to allow for an open side. Use embellishments and fabric patterns suitable for your tree’s theme.

Patches.

Make your own stylish patches for jazzing up your jeans.

Beaded Necklace.

These were never really my thing, but if you liked the original “marbles inside a tube of fabric” necklaces with the separation beads in between, this might be a more stylish version than the country style fabric they used to be made of. The right tie fabric and some stylish glass beads in between could bump this project up a notch. Money saving tip? Cut up an old scratched up costume jewelry bead necklace you had in the throw away pile.

Coffee Sleeve

Try a DIY coffee sleeve for Father’s Day. This link shows a similar one to the project shown with denim in a previous article. If you liked the denim idea, but prefer something a little dressier, this might be just the ticket.

Make a Keepsake.

This sort of incorporates all of the ideas in the list in some way, but I think it’s worth pointing out that in addition to just collecting old ones at thrift stores and as hand-me-downs, ties are a great thing to recycle into a memory item for a loved one who is no longer with us.

Santa Ornaments .

There are some fun ideas out there, many of them more Victorian in nature through the choice of fabrics.

Pumpkin Decorations.

This link shows a pattern for a harvest theme stuffed pumpkin made with old neckties.

Corset Cinch.

Pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

Make a case for your cell phone or ipod.

The one pictured here is plain, but could glitz it up with a different choice of fabric, button and fun embellishments.

A Thong.

I know. I thought so too. But apparently, it IS possible.

Make a Wrist Cuff.

While this is clearly something that would be more popular with teens, my mind went in a slightly different direction. How about dressing up an old denim or corduroy jacket, or even a great blouse? You just need one where the cuffs are getting ratty but the rest of the item is good. Cover the cuffs and even perhaps the color with old necktie fabric for an updated, Bohemian look.

Weave a Chair Seat.

Got an old ladder back chair from the dump, er . . . I mean thrift pile with the chair weave missing? Try this for a fun and unique place to sit.

Dresden Plate Pillow.

I know I mentioned pillows above, but this one has such a unique formal look, I thought it was worth its own line item.

A Hanging Wallet.

Another fun idea from Dr. Popular.

Guys, this is the best of the best from the ideas I was able to find. If you have something else you feel is outstanding, please feel free to post about it below. In the meantime, happy stitching.

This article is from Staff of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: