Crafting doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Make them as glamorous as you are, or try for a more Spooky approach for Halloween. What’s great about these DIY’s is that you can make them fit your own style!
1) Mason Jars
Mason jars are a cute and easy way to glam up any space! You can fill them, wrap them, slap some glitter on them, or even paint them. There are honestly so many different variations that can be done. Try out this quick and easy design that’s sure to fill your space with fall warmth. Think outside the box and let your creative vibes reign, and go start filling those jars!
What you need:
- Mason jar – size of your choosing
- Twine or Jute
- Fabric flowers with stems
- What you want inside your Mason jar – I used mini scented pine cones for my project, but you can use pretty much anything that you want to fill up the jar
Directions:
- Take the lid off your mason jar, and wrap the twine or jute around the top of your jar where the lid would twist on. Keep wrapping until you can’t see the glass portion anymore.
- When you cut your string, you can either tuck the end under some string, or you can glue it down.
- Take your flowers and cut down the stems on the number of flowers that fit the type of jar you’re using. I used three stems with big flowers on top. Be sure to have enough stem length left so that your flowers don’t fall out of your jar.
- Take the leaves off of the stems.
- Tie or tape the flowers together.
- Fill your Mason jar with the mini scented pine cones (or filling of your choice)
- Stick your flowers in your jar and then you’re done!
2) Picture Frame Art
One of my personal favorites, picture frame art can be done in a variety of ways! You can customize every aspect. Remember that twine from the Mason jar project you didn’t use? Using left over supplies from previous projects is a great way to stretch your dollar! Try this fun fall picture frame project to add a pop of fall fun to your walls.
What you need:
- Picture frame – Dollar stores have a good selection
- Thumb tacks or small wall strips
- Fabric flowers and leaves
- Hot glue gun and glue gun sticks
- Thick craft paper – you can buy individual pieces of thick craft paper from craft stores like or you can buy a whole book of themed craft paper on sale. If you decide to do the latter, you can use it for multiple future projects!
- Optional: glitter and mini pine cones
Directions:
- Take a frame and remove the back panel, as well as the glass panel
- Take your craft paper and lay the glass on top of the craft paper
- Trace the around the glass with a light colored pencil
- Cut along the drawn lines (cut on the outside of the lines to make sure you don’t make your piece to small)
- Lay the picture frame on the work surface
- Place paper cutouts in frames, and put glass panel on top of the paper – I did this so I could glue the flowers directly to the paper
- Put the back panel on and secure back into frame
- Lay out how you want your piece to look in the frame by arranging your pieces before gluing them down (while you’re doing this step, plug in your Hot Glue gun)
- Take a picture of your arrangement
- Clear your frame and start hot gluing, starting with the biggest pieces like the flowers first – using the picture you took as reference
- Add any embellishments or extra items that you want as you go – I added a mini pine cone and glitter to the center of my flowers
- Pick where you want to hang your completed project and you’re done
3) Glitter Pine cones
Need I say more? Glitter pine cones are a cute and cost effective way to pizzazz your space. Don’t waste your money on buying pine cones, go find some outside. With the amount of pine trees here in Florida, you’ll definitely be able to find some good ones.
What you need:
- Pine cones.
- Liquid glue.
- Glitter(s) of your choice.
- Newspaper or some kind of surface to collect glitter.
- Shallow dish
Directions:
- Place your newspaper down where you want to work.
- Pour a good amount of glitter in a shallow dish.
- Put glue on the tips of the pine cones ( in any order or pattern for as little or much coverage as you want)
- Tap glue covered tips into the glitter dish.
- Stand pine cone on the its bottom flat part, or only glitter one side at a time, laying the pine cone on its side, while letting the first side dry first.
- Let dry for a couple hours, and you’re done!
4) Decorated Pumpkins
Ahh…the pumpkin. The pinnacle of all fall decorations. Decorated pumpkins are a great way to show your creativity. This next project is a simple way to put a pop of color into your space!
What you need:
- White Pumpkin – if you can’t find a white pumpkin or it’s too expensive, you can paint an orange pumpkin with white paint using a foam brush.
- Pack of crayons – you can choose to do multiple colors, or pick the colors you want.
- Hair dryer.
- Newspaper or other surface to work on.
- Tacky glue or hot glue.
Directions:
- Glue your crayons on the top of your pumpkin with glue of your choice, forming a circular shape.
- Apply high heat using a hair dryer.
- Let dry and you’re done!
5) String Art
String art is a cool DIY for dorm rooms, or for people who don’t want a lot of holes in their wall. The possibilities are endless! You can print out designs for templates, or you can create a totally custom piece of art.
What you need:
- A strong enough surface to stick pins in – you can use other surfaces like wood planks or cork board, but for this DIY, let’s stick with a black or white Elmer’s foam board to make it simple.
- Pins with a flat heads.
- Embroidery string – pick colors that you find appealing for your piece.
- A template – use a drawing of your own design, or print out a template.
- Scissors
- Command strips
Directions:
- Connect your command strips to the back of your board – don’t take off the back of the strips until you’re ready to stick the completed project to the wall.
- Cut out your template and lay it on your board-making sure it fits how you want your finished project to look.
- Line your template with the pins – make sure not to forget the insides as well.
- Remove the template from your board.
- Make a small slip knot on the end of your string –by pulling a bit of string through the loop – you should have one loop that you can make bigger or smaller easily.
- Put the loop over the nail you want start with – usually it would be towards the bottom.
- Start connecting your string to each pin – remember to wrap around each pin at least once so it doesn’t fall off. Depending on your design, you could just directly connect your string or do a back and forth pattern.
- Take off the backs of the command strips and display your finished project.
All these projects are budget friendly and seriously fun! Our main goal is to find goodies at the local Dollar Stores, and then supplement with items from local craft stores. Don’t be afraid to shop at stores that you think will be too expensive. Most of them have really good coupons, and sometimes up to 50% off one item. Even if you don’t buy anything, you can get ideas and inspiration for your next craft!
Happy Crafting!