Here are easy crafts to make when you are bored. We’ve all had those stretches of time when we want to do something creative but don’t know where to start. It’s like being kinda lazy, but also wanting to do something productive that is not work.
Enter glue and scissors! Trust me. I know how it goes. You’re at home for a long stretch of an interrupted time and you wanna do something more than take a nap or binge watch. That creative itch takes over and you start searching the house for something to do or make.
You could scour the kitchen and maybe bake something – but that means you would have dishes to wash afterwards. And once you eat it, then what?
Crafting is a great cure for boredom
Working your creativity muscle is fun way to stimulate your brain and will help with relaxation. You can spend your crafting time deep thinking or not thinking about a care in the world. Just let it floooowwww…
These are projects that do not take a lot of supplies, you don’t even need to visit the craft store. And even if you are not a craft addict like me, you’ll likely have the supplies around your house.
Set the mood
Clear off a table so you will be free of distractions. If you’re going to be working with paint or anything sticky, make sure to use a plastic or paper covering. Gather your supplies for so they are right at your fingertips. That way you won’t be interrupted.
Background entertainment
Check out Spotify or your favorite music streaming service to get a playlist going. I have a Crafty Chica playlist that I will link here that you can use. I love all the songs on here and I am always adding to it. When I am in the creative zone, I will often play music. If I have to concentrate really hard, I will listen to an audiobook. If I just want to freestyle and not put too much thought into it and just play and experiment I will put on some comfort TV movies (Legally Blonde, Selena, Nacho Libre, etc)
Basic supplies:
Scissors
Craft paint and assorted
A cup of water and paper towels
A pen and a pencil
White craft, glue, and hot glue if you have it
Okay, let’s do this! Easy crafts to make, when you are bored. Click on the project titles for the direct link to each project.
1. Embossed tin earrings made from a soda can
Granted, this is an old video from my early days, but it still holds true. Who doesn’t have a soda can in their house? This is one of my favorite craft techniques, and it is commonly found in Mexico, known as repujado. Not only is it a great way to recycle, the end result looks super fabulous. Make sure to wear gloves when cutting the can to protect your fingers!
Here is a tin embossing (repujado) tutorial that will help!
2. Cardboard jewelry
Cardboard jewelry is absolutely magical and genius. You can cut up a cracker/cereal box to use to make your earring shapes.
If you do not have a cracker or cereal box, you can even use cardboard from a shipping box, or even heavy weight paper.
Cut pieces into assorted shapes, add two coats of paint let them dry, and then you can paint random designs. Seal with glossy or matte mod podge. You can use a safety pin to poke a hole at the top so you can have your earring findings. Do not have hearing find it?
Look through all of your jewelry for earrings you do not wear anymore and you can use needle nose pliers to remove the earring hooks and put him on the ones you just made.
3. Cardboard notepads
I love this one, because it is super functional! Have you heard of Craftsy? It’s a website with all kinds of tutorials, and this is a class I taught. Again, we are using our trusty cereal or cracker boxes and cutting them into strips and simply folding them to create a large size match book. And then you can cut other scrap paper to put inside. You will love making these, I bet you will make more than one!
4. Painted drinkware
Look through your kitchen cabinets for assorted, drinking glasses, and then break out your craft paint and varnish. It doesn’t matter if they match or not. Once you paint them, they will look uniform in style. Paint your designs and coat with the varnish and you will have some super cute vibrant glasses to show off at your next party!
5. T-shirt appliqués
Grab a needle and thread and any old T-shirts. Cut the graphic design out from the front and then stitch it on to another shirt or a hoodie or a jeans jacket. You can even stitch it to another piece of fabric and create a pillow.
6. Doodled sneakers
I went to town on these! Since you have all this time today, go through your closet and look for some sneakers that have seen better days. Liven them up by adding painted designs on to the canvas portion of the shoe. If you have paint pens pr permanent markers, use them to outline your designs to make them pop! And if you don’t want to paint sneakers, see if you have any high heels that need an artful touch. When you are done, slather everything in glittered sealer!
7. Reverse glass painting
Look through your stash of picture frames and take one and remove the backing. Clean the glass thoroughly and draw a template that you can slide under the glass and then paint on top going backwards. Check out the full tutorial to do it properly.
8. Plastic bottle planters
Use plastic soda pop bottles and cut them to create some super cute shapes that you can paint and glue together.
9. Painted garden, tiles or pavers
Step outside your house and look for stepping stones, pavers, even large rocks that you can paint and bring to life. Not only is it relaxing to create, but it will also add some beauty to your outdoor area. This one is a no-brainer and super fun!
10. Make a book from one sheet of paper
Yes, that is right! It does not matter what size the paper is, as long as you can easily fold it, you can create a little zine. And then decorate each page, use a glue stick, and you can apply other pieces of art to it, even use paint pens to add quotes. If you really love it, you can open it up and make color copies to give out to friends.
11. Make a junk journal or altered book
These used to be so popular about a decade ago. It is a classic craft that is therapeutic and artful. Take an old book that you do not want any more, and then some markers or paints and decorate the pages. The video below answers a lot of questions about how to choose a book, etc. You can even glue down some blank pages in between so you can journal. Add embellishments, and do not worry if they extend beyond the page, that is the fun of it!
12. Reverse painted glassware
Grab some drinkware glasses from your cabinet and give them a lovely makeover using this method! Don’t worry if the glasses match or not. Once you paint them, they will all look like one big beautiful collection!
13. Cardboard Crafts: DIY Shadow Box
Use those Amazon boxes to create these creative shrines and shadow boxes. They are easy to make, and they look so cool when you are finished.
14. How to bleach dye a shirt
Everyone has bleach in their house, right? Cut a stencil or use random interesting flat objects. Put some bleach in a spray bottle and water it down (read the full tutorial for more specifics) and spray over the stencils.
15. Painted Tin Cans
Save those cans – give them a makeover with paint, fabric, whatever you have on hand. They work great as planters, centerpieces, candleholders.
