Instant Gratification Crafts: Awesome Stuff You Can Make In One Night

Like I’ve said before, my motives for crafting are not pure. I am after the high of completing a project and the income it provides when I subsequently sell it. We are all guilty of buying something we could have made because we didn’t think we had the time. If you’ve ever bought a scarf at Target I have a bone to pick with you. Support local artisans or do it yourself!

You don’t have to be a granola (Mmm, granola!) loving hippie to be a crafty person nor do you need loads of free time. When I had a full time job I crafted at work to the dismay of some managers. I was a hair-stylist, not a brain-surgeon. When my son sleeps I get out my needles, or brushes, or glue and make something from scratch by the time Chelsea Lately is over.

Here are some ideas for what you can do in one night for not much $$$. Try one, try them all. Sell it. Keep it. Gift it. Donate it.

1. Crochet a hat- seriously, it’s easy. After watching one YouTube video I could make a hat in 2 hrs for just the cost of a crochet hook and yarn. The crochet hooks are $.50 at thrift stores! Knitting was my first love but I am having an affair with crochet. Shh!

2. Decoupage something- Cut, glue, done. I buy Mod Podge at least once a month, it’s about $7-$8 depending on how small your town is.

3. Knit a chunky scarf- with sz 25 or 50 needles and 4-5 strands of yarn you could be done in about 2 hrs. I like when all the yarns are one color and different textures or the same yarn in multiple colors otherwise it looks kinda tacky.

4. Alter a t-shirt- Buy a t-shirt at a thrift store and cut it up and put it back together differently. Generation T by Megan Nicolay is the ultimate resource for this. There’s a YouTube Video on how to make a hat from the bottom of some old pants!

5. Make a felt purse- Shrink an old wool sweater and turn it into a cool purse or a pillow. A sewing machine is required for this though.

6. Make Frankenstein Jewelry- Use your broken jewelry or buy a thrift store bag of it and with a few jumprings and some pliars you can make some awesome steampunk jewelry. This isn’t hard but it can be frustrating without the right tools. The possibilities here are infinite!

7. Don’t buy greeting cards- EVER! It’s like you’re saying, “Hallmark loves you but I’m not so sure.” There are drool-worthy greeting card examples all over Etsy.com if you need inspiration. Collage it, stamp it, paint it, do it on your computer if you’re a craft pansy.

8. Bowl- They have this air dry clay that doesn’t require a kiln. Did you make a pinch pot and a coil pot in 5th grade? I did! This sounds like a serious undertaking but I promise, 5th graders around the country have got this down.

9. Melt some shit!-Isn’t it satisfying to take a perfectly good barbie and microwave her? As an adult, it isn’t any less fun. Those melted record bowls are gorgeous and I’d buy one if I didn’t have an oven of my own. Make sure the record isn’t valuable or collectible first please. I’ll punch you if you melt Bob Dylan or Elvis Costello. I saw a melted toothbrush bracelet once. Your dentist would be proud. It was boiled just enough to be flexible. Consider ventilation issues!

10. Embroider- I know how lame this sounds but there’s a new generation of embroiderers out there who are taking it away from the cat and flower stitchers. you can find cross stitch and embroider patterns with bad words and funny sarcastic ironic wonderful images. Try not using a pattern and just doodling like you would on paper. I’ve embroidered on canvases so I don’t have to frame it later. To make it faster, use yarn and a big needle.

*I hate scrapbooking with a passion so it’s not included but if that’s your thing then go for it. My Aunt Dina makes scrapbook type items so cool they make me want to cry but I just cringe at the thought of “scrapbooking.” Use recycled and found stuff so you don’t have to pay big companies big money though.*

For additional inspiration read Simple Times; Crafts For Poor People by Amy Sedaris! The best birthday present ever from a best friend who knows me well. Or you can check out my Etsy page:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shannondzikas?page=1