When I was a little girl, my summer break always started off with a trip to Michaels. My mom wanted to make sure I had something productive to do, so we would stock up on some DIY projects. These projects were intended to last for a couple weeks, but I was usually finished within a couple of days. Once I started, I became consumed—similarly to how I am now, actually.
I wanted to list a few of my favorite crafty projects that are perfect for summer vacation. These are my childhood favorites, but they can totally be transformed into adult activities too!
Beading/jewelry making.
I used to be a way into jewelry making. I had thousands and thousands of beads, and I could spend hours making jewelry. I even learned how to make flowers out of beads. I loved it. The best part of jewelry making, is that it can be catered to any age group. There are so many beautiful beads available—you will never run out of options.
Refurbishing and painting
If you go to a craft store—you will see tons of little wood jewelry boxes, birdhouses, picture frames, or small ceramic figurines. As a kid, my knick-knacks of choice were the small wooden jewelry boxes. I would paint them with wood paint and then douse them in glitter. Glitter was key. Now days, I mostly do picture frames and dressers (without glitter). Again, this project is totally accessible to children and adults alike.
Glass painting
This was one of my favorite crafts. All you need is glass paint and a piece of glass. You can get the paint at any craft store. There are tons of colors available, and they are relatively cheap and last a long time. You will also need a glass primer and a sealant—again they are cheap and last a LONG time. You can find some cheap glass vases or Christmas ornaments at a craft store, Dollar Tree, thrift shop, or you can use old mason jars. Once you are finished painting, your artwork will last as long as the glass itself. My parents still have my painted glass vases from 15 years ago!
So there you have it. These are just a few fun, easy and cheap DIY projects for you and the kiddos in your life. Remember, sharing is caring! So share your DIY projects with the Handmade Loves community. I know I’d love to hear them!
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