There are only so many times one can visit the beach in the summer.
While my average summer bucket list is often brimming with beach days and sun-bathing on Lake Michigan, I am often faced with the reality of time constraints, scheduling conflicts, and ever-growing gas prices that make the commute a luxury. While summer is often associated with outdoor excursions and travel, the activities you do indoors can be just as rewarding, with one especially worthwhile alternative being crafting. Whether driven by creativity, practicality, or simply the desire to pass time meaningfully, DIY projects offer a fulfilling way to make the most of your summer without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
Garland Decor
While the lower half of my walls is often occupied with furniture and
décor, the upper portion of my walls often feels contrarily empty and oddly vacant. To confront this without breaking the budget, I turned to crafting various forms of garland. Simply pick out a few different variants of ribbon, a roll of twine, and tie the former to the latter in alternating order. For visual interest, select a plethora of colors, vibrancies, lengths, and patterns, or formulate your color scheme to the palette of your existing decorations. For an even more frugal, cost-effective option, swap the ribbon and twine for standard colored paper and create variegated links.
Fabric Bracelets
While beaded and string bracelets have long dominated accessory trends, fabric bracelets have yet to fully enter the mainstream. That being said, this criminally underrated, easy-to-make jewelry is both versatile and expressive. Simply cut and fold strips of the fabric of your choosing to abide by the dimensions of your wrist (or ankle, if you choose to craft an anklet instead), attach any charms you so choose, and either tie the two ends together or link them via a jewelry clasp, kits of which you can find at your local arts and crafts store. The result is a soft, customizable accessory that balances comfort with individuality.
Altoid Tin Purse
If you’re looking to take a more utilitarian route upon crafting, creating an Altoid Tin Purse/Wallet for all your miscellaneous trinkets and whatnots is an efficient way to optimize
your storage and look chic while doing so. Rather than stashing your small items in neglected drawers, forlorn pockets, or the pitfalls of your backpack, keeping a small, stylish repository for compact belongings—like earbuds, coins, lip gloss or chapstick, and hairbands—allows for both convenience and organization. To make this storage depot, first, purchase a tin of Altoids or recycle a used can. Once the contents have been emptied, pick out your favorite patterned stock paper and, matching its dimensions to the inside of the tin can, cut and glue it onto both faces of the inside—this will act as the wallpaper for any remaining ornate details. Next, personalize the inside top face with any stickers, small prints, beads, or scrap paper you deem desirable.
Sandal Charms
Sandal or Birkenstock charms made with beads are a simple way to personalize everyday footwear while expressing creativity, and making them is criminally straightforward and inexpensive: start with durable string or thin wire, thread on beads of your choice, and secure the ends tightly to form a loop or strand. Then attach the strand around sandal straps or buckles, ensuring it is snug but not restrictive. This DIY project allows endless customization and—an added benefit—can be changed seasonally, making your sandals both stylish and uniquely yours.
Personalized Picture Frames
Oftentimes, documenting memories on Snapchat stories or iPhone camera rolls can feel somewhat impersonal. To combat the craze of digital documentation, travel to your nearest big-box retailer, print out a photo or two, pick out a plain
picture frame of your liking, and personalize it to your heart’s desire. Feel free to get eclectic with different textures and decorative curiosities, using various mediums like buttons, shells, wooden accents, or beads to accomplish your goal. Simply taking a gander down the aisle of your nearest Hobby Lobby can spark unexpected inspiration. Ultimately, transforming your photos into tangible displays imbues them with a sense of permanence and sentimental value that digital formats often lack.
From simple accessories to functional storage, these DIY projects prove that creativity does not require extravagance. Even within the confines of your home, you can cultivate both efficiency and individuality through thoughtful crafting. Ultimately, a well-spent summer is not defined by location, but by the intention and originality you bring to your time.
