Crafting to Save
While the economy is slowly getting back on its feet, many of us are still feeling the financial pinch. While crafting can be a great way to create art and a fun way to pass the time, getting a little DIY can also be a way to save some money. Consider these ways that handmade can be cost-effective, fun, and useful.
Make Your Own Cosmetics
Many of the main ingredients in expensive face washes, masks, and peels are right in your own kitchen. Ground up oatmeal renews the skin, olive oil moisturizes, and apple juice gets rid of oil. Instead of spending $15 for a bottle of cleanser, check out these resources for creating your own DIY, natural cosmetics.
Recycled and Repurposed Paper Products
Think about the amount of useless paper you have in your home at any given moment; there’s junk mail, old newspapers and magazines, outdated phone books, used up note pads, and more. Without too much in the way of supplies and effort, you can recycle this paper into new, unique, homemade stationery.
Basic Sewing
While you probably don’t have all day to sit at your Singer and sew garments for your family, you can probably find time to do some simple sewing jobs that can save you cash. If you’re in need of curtains, for example, or tired of the ones you have, this can be a simple project to tackle yourself; buy low-cost flat sheets at your local discount store in the color or pattern of your choice; all they need is a hem and a loop for the curtain rod, and you’re good to go.
Homemade Gifts
If you’re down for doing a little research and getting creative, I guarantee you that you can come up with a home made gift for nearly anyone on your list. And these gifts don’t have to be cheezy, or something that you’re embarrassed to give. They can be useful, thoughtful, and the fact that you design them yourself means you can tailor them especially to the recipient. Some of our favorites: homemade muffin mix in a jar accompanied by a muffin tin, (perfect for the new college student), or homemade flavored vinegars and oils (great for welcoming a new neighbor).
Revive Old Furniture
Crafting can be a very inexpensive way to bring a little new life into your home. Whether you want to remake a piece of furniture you already have or pick up something cheaply at the thrift store, remade furniture adds a stylish, unique quality to any home.
Painting, of course, is the most dramatic and one of the simplest ways to accent furniture. Bring an old wooden bookshelf back to life by painting it a vivid blue; paint the headboard of your bed a bold red, and you’ve added a new element to your room in a matter of minutes. If you’re fearless, you can also give wallpapering your furniture a try; when executed well, the results can be amazing. Another option is to install new drawer pulls or accents, to give an old piece a new look.