"If summertime makes you nostalgic for summer camp days spent doing arts and crafts, we’re right there with you. Several of us here at The Everygirl are having a “crafty girl summer,” and it seems like the internet is on board, too. We’re putting our phones down and getting in touch with our inner child (or granny, depending on how you look at it) with crafty hobby ideas that are all about channeling creativity, having fun, and ~feeling something~.
From painting glassware to working with clay and more, there are so many ways to get crafty this summer, and in many cases, the activity itself is only half the fun. You’ll also be able to use many of these creations in your everyday life, which feels like a girl math life hack that makes these already-budget-friendly craft ideas basically free. Here are 10 crafty hobby ideas to try if you want to embrace your own crafty girl summer.
1. DIY bookmarks
While you could keep using that random scrap of paper or buy a bookmark at your local bookstore, you could also get crafty by making custom bookmarks to keep your spot in your latest read. You’ll need some sturdy cardstock and supplies for decorating, such as markers, stickers, ribbons, gel pens, and more. Make a few bookmarks inspired by your favorite recent reads, or plan a crafting date to make some matching bookmarks with your book-loving friends.
2. Create clay magnets
Polymer clay is becoming a super popular way to make pottery quickly and without traditional equipment like a throwing wheel and kiln. You can create a ton of different objects with polymer clay, but for a fun bite-sized clay craft, try making magnets. Mold your clay into your desired shapes—a cowboy boot, a disco ball, some cherries, a cat, etc.—and use sculpting tools to create texture and detail. When your design is finished, bake it in the oven to set the clay, then hot glue a magnet to the back. It’s a cute and kitschy way to decorate your refrigerator, and homemade magnets make adorable gifts.
3. Make charm necklaces
Thanks to the Y2K fashion resurgence and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, jewelry making is currently one of the most popular crafts. While beaded jewelry is at the forefront of the trendy hobby, we suggest you get creative with a different accessory staple from the aughts: charm necklaces. Snag a basic jewelry-making kit with chainlink and fasteners, then peruse your local craft stores for unique charms to dangle from your chain. You can also try thrifting the charms to add an extra special layer to your DIY charm necklace—not only will you have made it yourself, but the jewels will also be treasure hunt finds.
4. Try junk journaling
You can think of this craft idea as a hybrid of scrapbooking, collaging, sketching, and journaling. A junk journal is a homemade booklet crafted from “junk,” such as magazine scraps, old newspapers, fabric samples, envelopes, buttons, stamps, wrapping paper, admission tickets, and any other materials you have lying around at home. Junk journals are a cool way to document your memories at a lower cost than a scrapbook, and they make thoughtful, sentimental gifts for friends and family.
5. Paint a canvas bag
Customizing clothing with paint has also seen a surge in popularity, especially with denim jackets and sneakers. But for those who are trying the craft for the first time and are intimidated by taking a brush to a more expensive item, a canvas tote bag is a perfect starter piece. Permanent acrylic paint is a decent option, but fabric paint is guaranteed to hold up in the washing machine if you need to clean your bag at any point. Before you begin painting, stick a piece of cardboard inside the tote for a flat, sturdy surface and a protective layer that will catch any paint that might bleed through the material as you work.
6. Fill up a mini sketchbook
A large, blank sketchbook page can be daunting, especially if your drawing skills are amateur at best, so try a miniature version instead! You can purchase a mini sketchbook or create small window-style sketches on a standard-sized sketchbook page for a grid-like look. Sketch in pencil as your practice, then graduate to paints, pastels, and other mediums as you get more comfortable with the hobby.
7. Paint-by-number
If you like the idea of painting but don’t feel you can come up with a good drawing on your own, opt for a paint-by-number kit. This craft idea has gotten a major upgrade from the kiddie version of our youth—there are seriously stunning kits available that look like legitimate works of art when finished. Paint a piece to frame and hang in your home as unique decor and a great conversation starter when hosting guests.
8. Paint glassware
Painting glassware makes for another fun, thrifty craft idea. Visit your local antique stores, Goodwill, or Dollar General to snag a few glasses—translucent cups are particularly popular for this hobby—and use multi-surface paint to create your designs. You could do tiny repeating oranges, a wildflower landscape, your zodiac symbol, and more. After allowing your paint to dry and cure for a few days, bake your glasses in the oven at 300°F for 30 minutes to make your painted design dishwasher-safe (just be sure to wash it on the top rack).
9. Embroider a T-shirt with beads
Add a fun design to a plain white tee using bead embroidery for a custom shirt that’ll have everyone asking where you got it. Instead of using traditional thread for the needlework hobby, bead embroidery uses sturdier thread to weave designs made of beads. Like standard embroidery, there are lots of kits available for the beaded rendition. Get the hang of the hobby with a beginner-friendly kit, or create your own design if you’re already a seasoned embroidery girlie.
10. Decoupage a trinket dish
All you need is a seashell, a paper napkin with a fun design, and some Mod Podge to make a cute DIY trinket dish. If you source your seashell from the beach, just be sure to wash it first; otherwise, you can grab a faux one from your local craft store. Then, coat your shell with Mod Podge, press the napkin into the shell, and tear away the excess. Finish the craft by painting a layer or two of Mod Podge across the entire surface, letting it dry between coats. You can also add some metallic gold paint around the edges to give your trinket dish a luxe look.
