What Are the Benefits of Mirrors?

As we have mentioned, mirrors can serve as both functional and decorative pieces in any room of a house or flat. The benefits of mirrors are both utilitarian and aesthetic in nature. If you are on the fence about whether or not any space in your household needs a mirror, there are several compelling reasons that may persuade you that it does.

Before we get into explaining how to glue a mirror to a wall, let us first go over some of the benefits of placing a mirror in any interior space.

Creating the Illusion of More Space

Among the most significant benefits of installing a mirror in a room has to do with the optical illusion it produces whereby the space appears to be much larger. By reflecting light, mirrors produce the illusion of there being more depth, which can assist in making cramped rooms feel more open and spacious.

Improving Lighting

If you want to brighten up a space, the addition of a mirror is an easy way to invite more light into a room. In rooms such as hallways and bathrooms, which would otherwise see very little natural light. By strategically placing a mirror, it can reflect light and distribute it evenly throughout a room.

Enhancing Décor

Mirrors are available in a wide selection of sizes, shapes, and styles. This makes them incredibly versatile as decorative pieces within the household. You could even commission a unique mirror design from a bespoke tradesman if you are looking for something specific that is not typically commercially available. A well-placed mirror can help you tie together all the elements of décor within any living space as it does well to create a cohesive and polished overall aesthetic.

If you want to create a focal point in any room or draw the viewer’s attention to a particular area within an interior space, the use of a mirror can also be of strategic benefit to you.

Improving Safety

A practical benefit of having a mirror in your room is that it improves safety. By having a full-length mirror installed in your bedroom or dressing room, you can make completely sure that there are no wardrobe malfunctions on your outfit before stepping into the spotlight.

Additionally, mirrors assist in improving the visibility of areas of any room that may otherwise be difficult to keep an eye on. For example, mirrors make it easier to see around narrow hallways and corners.

Boosting Mood

Mirrors can also be a big boost to your mood and overall morale. They say that we perceive ourselves as more attractive when looking at ourselves through mirrors, which can be a firm boost to our levels of confidence and self-esteem. Furthermore, mirrors can assist in reflecting positive aspects of a space, including natural light and any beautiful décor in its line of sight. This can do wonders in terms of creating a more uplifting and positive atmosphere.

Glue for Mirror-to-Wall Mounting

Before we get into our tutorial on how to glue a mirror to a wall, let us talk for a bit about what wall mirror adhesive would be most suited for the job. Although there are many brands of glue on the market that are specifically designed for the purpose of mounting mirrors to walls, it is still worth knowing what sorts of glues in general make for good choices in such a task. There are two varieties of glue that are known to produce the most ideal results, these being silicones and urethanes.

An important aspect of these glues is that neither employs a solvent-based adhesive system.

Silicone Glue

The formulas used to produce silicone glue adhesives are either single-part or two-part in nature. One thing to note about the single-part variations of this glue will produce acetic acids, which occur as a by-product of the chemical reaction that causes the bonding between the glue and whatever surface areas it is applied to. This chemical reaction is characterized by a vinegary odor. While it may not smell so pleasant during the application, the acetic acid is not strong enough of a solvent to cause any sort of delamination to the mirror.

If, however, you find the smell of one-part silicones too unappealing, you could opt instead for the two-part varieties, which do not contain acetic acids and thus do not produce the same odor. You would have to mix the two constituents of this glue together to initiate the polymerization required to form a strong bond between the surfaces it is applied to.

After you have left your silicone glue to cure, the bond it creates is considered permanent. Realistically, you can expect the bond between the wall and mirror to remain firm for longer than 30 years, irrespective of any environmental factors. This applies to both types of silicone adhesives. Silicone glues are resistant to temperature fluctuations, water, extreme heat, and moisture. Better yet, they are super pliable while also being able to carry a large amount of weight.

Urethane Glue

Urethane glues are typically only retailed as two-part adhesive products. In order to activate the polymerization of the constituents required to produce a firm bond, parts A and B need to be mixed to trigger the chemical reaction. There are zero solvents involved in urethane glues, which gives you the benefit of not having to deal with any strong smells and odors. Being absolutely solvent-free also means that urethane adhesives pose no risk of delaminating your mirror. You are also able to adjust the application method of your urethane glue so that the formula cures fast or slowly depending on how much time you need to work. Once the glue has cured completely, the bond that it creates is most permanent and irreversible.

Unlike silicone adhesives, urethane glue will cure quite rigidly, which could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the demands of the project.

One thing to note about urethane adhesives is that they may pose health risks to a small percentage of people. Before you make use of urethane adhesives, you need to first ensure that you are not sensitive to any of their ingredients. Make sure to closely examine the material safety data sheets of urethane products before purchasing and to ensure that you are not hypersensitive to any of the constituents.

How to Glue Mirror to Wall

If the prior information seems a bit too over-complicated for you, you can cut through the hassle of having to do additional research by simply purchasing mirror glue, which can be purchased at an affordable price from most hardware stores. Just be sure to not use glues designed for bonding to wood as they simply will not cut it. With a firm idea of what your ideal mirror-to-wall adhesive options are, you can now move on to learning how to glue mirrors to wall surfaces. Follow these eight steps on how to stick mirrors to wall surfaces to ensure that your job goes smoothly.

Step 1: Choose the Right Glue

First things first, use the information from the prior section to find a suitable glue for mirror-to-wall adhesion. Choosing the right glue is an essential component of the task. You will find a myriad of gluing options available to you on the market but not all will prove sufficient for the job. As aforementioned, the best glues are of the urethane and silicone variety but you can also find yourself a reliable brand of mirror adhesive so as to not overcomplicate the task for yourself. Mirror adhesive is designed specifically for the task of gluing mirrors to walls and the bonds that they produce will be more than enough to hold most mirrors in place without them dislodging for decades to come.

Most of these glues also come with a lengthy drying, which might sound like a problem unless you consider the fact that it actually grants you enough time to adjust the position of your mirror perfectly before it completely dries.

Step 2: Clean the Wall

Before you start gluing your mirror to your wall, you will want to ensure that the surface you are attaching your mirror to is completely clean and dry first. If there is any dirt, dust, or other debris on the surface, this will impair the glue’s ability to adhere properly to the surface. To make sure that the adhesive’s effectiveness is not impaired in the slightest, start by wiping the wall using a dry cloth to remove the dust. You can then apply a damp cloth to the wall to remove any marks or stains as well. Then, you should wait until the wall has completely dried before moving on to the next step.

Step 3: Apply the Adhesive

Now that you have a clean and dry surface, it comes time for you to apply your adhesive. You may begin by applying a small amount of glue to the back of your mirror. Ideally, you will want to use a caulking gun for this part, with which you can apply your adhesive in a zig-zag pattern until the entire back of the mirror is evenly covered.

Be sure to not apply too high a volume of glue, however, to avoid the mirror sliding down the wall instead of adhering to it.

Step 4: Position the Mirror

With the adhesive now applied to the back of your mirror, you may now place it onto the wall and position it. You can do so by holding it against the wall where its position can be adjusted until you have found the right space for it. You can then firmly press the mirror into place so that all the adhesive on the back makes direct contact with the wall. You will now have to hold the mirror in place for a few minutes to allow the bond enough time to take place.

Step 5: Secure the Mirror

Once you have your mirror in place, you will have to find a way to secure it against the wall until the adhesive has cured completely. The best way to do this is to use painter’s tape, which can prop the mirror up against the surface until the glue has dried and a firm bond has been achieved. You can start by taping across the top of the mirror to attach it to the wall before repeating the process at the bottom. This should be enough to prevent the mirror from sliding down before the adhesive has properly cured.

If you are dealing with a heavy mirror, however, you might need to add more tape along the sides or even across the mirror.

Step 6: Let the Adhesive Dry

Before you are able to remove the tape, you must give your adhesive enough time to dry and cure completely. The best thing to do is to let the glue dry overnight before removing the table. While the adhesive is busy drying, you should try to avoid applying any sort of pressure to the mirror. Following these guidelines will allow the adhesive to firmly bond the mirror to the wall.

Step 7: Remove the Tape

The adhesive should have properly dried by the next day, at which point you can start removing the tape. Be sure to gently remove the tape off the mirror so as to not disrupt the bond or damage the wall. If you encounter any difficulties in removing the tape, you can use a utility knife to pry it away from the surface.

Make sure that you do not scratch the surface of your mirror as you remove the tape.

Step 8: Check the Mirror

After the tape has been removed, you should inspect the bond between the mirror and wall to ensure that it is firm and secure. To check if the mirror is not loose, you can gently shake it. If you find that the mirror is loose in some areas, you can use a shim to adjust its position and apply pressure until it is secure.

And voila! You have successfully learned how to stick a mirror to wall surfaces. Gluing a mirror to a wall is a relatively simple task, even for beginners. It is an effective way to add some beauty to your home décor. By following the steps and guidelines we have laid out for you, you can ensure your mirror is secure and unlikely to fall off. Remember that it is important to choose the right adhesive, clean the wall before fastening the mirror, position the mirror correctly, secure it with painter’s tape, and let the adhesive dry before removing the tape. We hope that this tutorial proves useful for your future DIY projects and that you enjoyed reading it. Best of luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Stick a Mirror to a Wall?

Start by choosing the right adhesive. Silicone and urethane adhesives are your best bet but you can also find mirror glue from a hardware store to simplify the task. Be sure to clean the wall before fastening the mirror. Spread the adhesive evenly in a zig-zag pattern to the back of the mirror and then position the mirror correctly before securing it to the wall with painter’s tape. Lastly, let the adhesive dry before removing the tape.

What Is the Best Wall Mirror Adhesive?

Picking the right adhesive for the wall mounting of a mirror is crucial. The most effective adhesives will be those made of urethane or silicone. You can also find ready-made mirror glues in most hardware stores.

Der Beitrag How to Glue a Mirror to a Wall – Learn About Wall Mirror Adhesives erschien zuerst auf Your DIY, Crafting and Painting Guide.

What Is Chalk Paint?

Over recent years, the popularity of chalk paint has steadily increased. Its syndication comes on account of its ease of use and many unique properties. Traditional paints can be both messy and time-consuming, whereas chalk paint is not only easy to work with but also capable of achieving sufficient adhesion to most surfaces without priming as another means of extensive preparation.

But what is chalk paint? It is a water-based paint primarily used for decorative purposes. When cured and fully dried, the paint produces its distinctive matte and chalky finish. Most typically, chalk paint is created through a combination of water and fine powder. The powder component is usually something like calcium carbonate, plaster of Paris, or a combination of the two. To give chalk paint any particular color, acrylic paint can be used for pigmentation.

History of Chalk Paint

Although chalk paint is documented to have existed as a commercially available product as far back as 1438, it would be the paint mogul Annie Sloan who, in 1990, would refine the formula of chalk paint in a way that revolutionized its viability as a decorative tool and spur its popularity into the modern age. Given just how popular shabby chic and vintage aesthetics have become in recent years, it has become quite the trend to chalk paint tables and chairs.

For DIY homemakers and décor professionals alike, the rustic charm and ease of use afforded by chalk paint have made it a go-to for many.

What Makes Chalk Paint Unique?

One of the several key factors contributing to the uniqueness of chalk paint is how easy it is to apply. Unlike most other traditional paint mediums, one does not usually need to prime and sand their surfaces before applying chalk paint. Whether you are working with wooden, metal, plastic, or fabric substrates, chalk paint can be easily applied without much preparation beforehand. This has contributed immensely to its popular use for painting decorative items and furniture. Being so easy to apply, it is commonly used as a means to expediently transform worn or old furniture into a charmingly rustic piece without the hassle of sanding and priming.

Chalk paint is also incredibly forgiving when it comes to the difficulty levels of working with it. On account of its matte finish, brushstroke patterns need not be the most expertly administered and imperfections are less likely to form during curing and drying. Better yet, its thick consistency does a good job of masking imperfections, damage, and other such flaws on the surface of the substrate.

With this in mind, chalk paint is a great option for beginners to work with. You need neither experience nor a proficient level of painting skills to apply chalk paint effectively. Chalk paint is also known for its unique aesthetic. Because of its matte finish, it has a softer, more muted look than traditional paint. This makes it a popular choice for creating a vintage, shabby chic look on furniture and decorative items. It is also commonly used to create a distressed look, where the paint is intentionally sanded or scraped away to create a worn, vintage appearance.

The aesthetic of chalk paint is also particularly unique compared to traditional mediums. Its matte finish lends it a more muted and softer look, making painting a table with chalk paint the perfect choice for anyone looking to produce a shabby chic or vintage aesthetic. You can also produce a distressed look by sanding and scraping away the paint to make the furniture appear more rustic and antique.

Durability

Additional to all the aesthetic qualities that can be rendered through the use of chalk paint, it is also considered to have decent durability. Compared to traditional paints, chalk paint does well in areas with high traffic volumes on account of how well it can withstand wear and tear. Painting a table with chalk paint is a good idea if the surface is expected to see frequent use. The matte finish it produces upon drying is also less prone to smudging and the collection of fingerprint marks.

Chalk paint is unique and popular. It is both versatile and forgiving to beginners hoping to make use of the medium and is an excellent choice for anyone hoping to achieve a rustic aesthetic with their furniture. Whether you are a rookie DIY enthusiast looking to restore some old furniture or a seasoned professional in need of a durable and long-lasting finish for your surfaces, chalk paint is a great choice for achieving a matte, smooth finish that is equal parts practical and stylish.

Chalk Paint Pros and Cons

Nothing is perfect and chalk paint is no exception to the rule. There are both benefits and disadvantages to using chalk paint that one should consider before working with the medium. Here we have listed the pros and cons for you.

Uses of Chalk Paint

Painting a table with chalk paint is the most typical use of the medium, most often as a means to breathe new life into old furniture or to supply an antiquated aesthetic to contemporary furniture pieces. Nevertheless, chalk paint can be used for a myriad of different DIY projects beyond this simple scope. The versatility of chalk paint allows for an immense amount of experimentation. The shabby chic look is very in at the moment and this is not exclusive to furniture. You could turn any item, even tools, into trendy and rustic pieces.

If you are looking for fun DIY projects in which you could explore the use of chalk paint, you can look towards home décor. Vases, decorative storage boxes, picture frames, and statement pieces are but a few examples of items that you could work with. Depending on how you choose to go about it, you can either give these items a smooth, matte finish or give them that antiquated, distressed aesthetic.

If you would like to bring some bucolic charm to your kitchen, you could use chalk paint to decorate your cabinets. Is chalk paint durable for kitchen table application? Yes, you could also use chalk paint to decorate your kitchen countertops. If you are the kind of person who is fond of backsplashes, using chalk paint to produce these in your kitchen space could be a fun and fulfilling task that would bring about some stunning results.

If you are looking to repaint your walls and are searching for a unique design to go with, you could also consider using chalk paint as the finish. Better yet, using chalk paint to cover your walls could actually give them some utilitarian value. As the name would suggest, chalk paint can be used to produce a chalkboard-like surface that can then be used as a space for drawing and writing. Utility aside, the matte finish and texture produced by chalk paint can also add depth to the aesthetics of your rooms.

Chalk paint is also an excellent choice of paint to use on furniture designed for children. Unlike many other traditional paints, chalk paint is not only non-toxic but can also be cleaned rather easily using just soap and water. The aesthetic qualities of this paint also make it more than suitable for use in spaces meant to house children.

How to Chalk Paint a Table and Chair

Painting a table with chalk paint is a relatively simple task to do, especially when compared to the many other mediums one could choose to work with. However, it would help to be a little wiser about how to do so if it is your first time working with chalk paint.

Thus, we have put together this simple list of instructions on how to chalk paint tables and chairs.

Select Your Furniture

Of course, there is no point in buying chalk paint if you do not yet have an item of furniture you wish to paint. There is no point in learning how to chalk paint a table if you do not have any furniture to paint. We would recommend that you select an old item, well past its prime and in desperate need of a makeover. However, you need not exclusively use chalk paint on tired or retired furniture because it can work well on modern items as well. This is especially true in the case of mass-produced furniture items, which can be personalized and given a bit more character through the introduction of some clock-rewinding chalk paint.

Pick Out Your Chalk Paint

An important part of knowing how to chalk paint a table is the fact that it is good practice to opt for better brands of chalk paint when offered a variety thereof. Higher-quality chalk paints tend to perform better in both durability and aesthetics when compared to the cheaper options. To find a chalk paint that works for you in terms of its color, affordability, durability, and scope of your project, you might have to do a bit of research.

The type of surface area that you are working with will also play a large role in determining what variety of chalk paint you will need.

Get Your Tools and Materials

If you are working with chalk paint, you are only going to need a select few generic painting apparatuses. Rollers and brushes will, of course, be your bread and butter. You may also need some old clothes, tape, stirrers, stirring cups, or buckets (depending on the volume of paint). If you want to distress your workpiece, you are also going to need sanding paper. If you wish to place a protective shield over your work after painting, we would keenly recommend that you use wax instead of your traditional varnishes. Once you have garnered some more experience in working with chalk paint, we recommend that you begin bolstering your arsenal of paint supplies with less conventional tools to produce more exotic finishes.

Set Up Your Workspace

Most typically, chalk paint will not contain many (if any) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other harmful chemicals. Nevertheless, we suggest that you still paint with it in a well-aerated space with ample ventilation. Painting indoors might prove easier just to prevent debris and dirt from landing on the paint job before it dries.

Chalk paint has a comparatively short drying time but it could never hurt to expedite the process by ensuring good airflow within the workspace. You should also place newspaper or old rags underneath your workpiece to absorb any spillage.

Get Your Furniture Ready for Painting

Most typically, chalk paint is applied to tired pieces of furniture. This means that, even though surface preparation is not necessarily a requirement when painting with chalk paint, you should at least take time to remove the dirt and grime that might be attached to the substrate before you start to paint. Additionally, depending on the level of wear and tear, you might need to sand or patch imperfections in the surface before you start applying your paint.

Time to Paint

Start by opening up your can of paint with a can opener to prevent spillage. Before you get to painting the entire piece of furniture, we suggest that you first apply some to a hardly noticeable section to assess the aesthetics and adhesion. The bottom stumps of the legs of your furniture are fit choices for this. You may notice that chalk paint has a fairly thick viscosity but do not be fooled because it can spread quite far. Thus, try not to apply too much at one time.

Although most other paints should be applied in the same direction of the grain using uniform brush strokes, you need not follow these rules when working with chalk paint. In fact, you can go against the grain to increase the degree of coverage or to create rustic brush patterns.

You should give your paint at least an hour to dry completely between the application of layers. While one layer should be enough to produce that famous shabby, rustic look, you will most likely need to apply two to three layers of paint to achieve a top-class finish.

Distressing Your Finish

Although this is an optional step, you could distress your furniture after the paint has completely dried. The point of distressing furniture is to purposefully weather the piece so that it fits more so within the rustic chic style. To properly distress a piece of furniture, you should get your hands on some medium-grit sandpaper that you can gently scrub over the surface of your paint job. We advise you to first practice the process on both the edges and corners of the furniture to see if it works or if you like the look. If you are fond of the results, you can then expand your coverage at your discretion.

Seal the Final Product

When it comes to sealing chalk paint finishes, we recommend the use of wax instead of varnish. You should try to apply this sealant shortly after your final layer of paint has dried to protect it from damage further down the line.

While wax can be a bit of a pain to apply to any sort of paint finish, the way it enhances the color of chalk paint compared to varnish is more than well worth it.

Additional Tips and Tricks

The process of painting a table with chalk paint might be an easy one but we can still suggest a few extra guidelines to circumvent any additional hassles. If you want to bring your chalk paint project to the next level, we suggest that you follow these tips and tricks.

• To improve the vibrancy of your workpiece and to make it more eye-catching, try using two colors. The contrast generated between the colors will help modernize the aesthetic of your furniture. You can also blend the point of contact between the two colors to produce a beautiful gradient.
• You can play around with different brush strokes. This is a good way to produce varied effects and patterns.
• You can give your furniture a nice weathered look by sanding the finish down after painting. This helps the furniture appear more vintage.
• Once the final coat of paint is dried, give it a light sanding. This will make your finish a lot smoother.
• Apply your paint in two thin layers instead of a single thick coating if you are working on slick substrates such as metal or glass. The adhesion between the paint and its surface is better this way.
• Do not overdo things during preparation. You should not sand your furniture too much to avoid compromising its structural rigidity or weakening the paint’s ability to adhere.
• If you want to thin your chalk paint, do so using water. Chalk paint is already water-based, which is why you would not want to use something else for this procedure.
• If you want to thicken your chalk paint, just allow it to sit with the lid open for some time before you stir it. Exposure to oxygen will harden the paint for you.

Further Points of Order

If you have never used chalk paint before you might want to get clued into some more aspects of the medium. The more you know about chalk paint before using it for the first time, the better the chances of you achieving a desirable finish. Here are some further points regarding chalk paint.

Drying Times of Chalk Paint

Much like acrylic paint, it takes a very short time for chalk paint to dry. Similarly, it will take roughly 30 minutes for a layer of chalk paint to become dry to the touch. However, you should allow your paint to sit for approximately one to two hours in a well-ventilated space before a second coat is applied. If you wish to seal your chalk paint finish, you should do so roughly 24 hours after the application of the last layer.

Quality of Adhesion

The adhesive potential between your paint and substrate is something to keenly consider before starting any sort of paint job. When it comes to chalk paint, most materials will be suitable for firm adhesion without the need for priming.

Other substrates like glass or metal may need to be sanded and/or primed beforehand so that firm adhesion is possible.

Eco-Friendliness

Most of the paints used on furniture will contain either oil or latex as the vehicle. Chalk paint, on the other hand, uses water, which means that its impact on the environment is substantially lower. Better yet, chalk paint can be used to breathe life into old furniture items that would otherwise find their way to a dump site. You also have the option to purchase chalk paints that do not contain VOC or other environmentally harmful chemicals.

Price Point

One of the downsides of chalk paint would be the fact that it can oftentimes cost a bit more than traditional latex-based paints. You do have options for cheaper chalk paints but these tend to be of a lower quality.

To conclude, chalk paint is an excellent choice of medium to use for the upcycling of old furniture. It not only looks good, but also takes a substantially lower toll on the environment. If you want to paint your furniture to produce a rustic and antique aesthetic, look no further than chalk paint!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Seal Chalk Paint?

Coating your chalk paint finish in wax is the best way to seal it. For starters, it is the sealant that most effectively works towards enhancing the color of your chalk paint finish. Secondly, it helps prevent chipping, fading, and damage from wear over time.

What Are the Benefits of Chalk Paint?

Chalk paint is one of the most eco-friendly options one can use to paint furniture as it not only contains little to no VOCs, but can also be used to upcycle old pieces. Its strong adhesive qualities make it suitable for application on most surfaces without the need for preparation. It is also easy for beginners to use.

Is Chalk Paint Durable for Kitchen Table Application?

Yes, you can use chalk paint as the finish for your household’s kitchen counters. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that chalk paint adheres best to wooden surfaces. Additionally, you may want to seal your finish with primer to prevent the soluble chalk paint from washing off the surface of your kitchen’s tabletops.

Der Beitrag How to Chalk Paint a Table – Is Chalk Paint Durable for Tables? erschien zuerst auf Your DIY, Crafting and Painting Guide.

A Brief History of New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Before we get into the New Year’s crafts, you may like to learn a little about the history of this celebration. What is the history behind this universally celebrated holiday? Its origins actually date back thousands of years, and its celebration has been heralded by many different cultures in many different ways throughout the course of history. We accredit the first celebration of the new year to the ancient Babylonians, who began doing so more than 4 000 years ago. Unlike today, they celebrated the new year according to a different calendar, which saw the celebration occurring in late March during the first new moon to arrive after the spring equinox.

Also, unlike today, the introduction of the new year is something that the Babylonians celebrated for 11 days. Much like today, however, these celebrations also saw feasting, gift-giving, and other related festivities among the itinerary.

The ancient Romans were the first to celebrate New Year’s Eve according to the contemporary calendar, kicking their festivities off in January during what they called the Feast of Janus. The celebration was done in honor of Janus, their god of beginnings and ends. Much like the Babylonians, this celebration was also hallmarked with gift-giving and feasting, among other rituals.

In the 6^th Century AD, the Christian Church would officially adopt January 1^st as the date on which the celebration of the new year would occur. IT would, however, take until the 16^th century for the modern concept of New Year’s Eve celebrations to come into being. For the Scottish, the celebration of the new year was called Hogmanay, and it was considered a time for feasting, gift-giving, and visiting neighbors. For the English, the celebration of the new year was referred to as Watch Night, during which time the church bells would be run at midnight to signify the passage of the previous year and the beginning of the new one. Today, we celebrate New Year’s as a secular event, during which time parties, festivities, and fireworks are in abundance across the globe.

One of the most famous events to celebrate the new year occurs in New York City each year, where a ball is dropped after the seconds toward midnight are counted down. This event attracts millions of people to New York each year, and even more elsewhere who watch it on their TV screens. There are other celebrations of the new year, however, that occur on different days. One such example is the Tet festival celebrated by the Chinese.

All in all, New Year’s Eve and the celebration thereof is something steeped in a rich history that spans across time and many cultures. For most cultures, it is a time for human beings all around the world to come together in celebration of a new beginning. Irrespective of how one may choose to celebrate it, it is always a time worth spending in reflection on the previous year while keenly and optimistically anticipating what may be brought in the year to come.

New Year’s Arts and Crafts

There are dozens of fun and creative New Year’s Eve crafts that children can enjoy, irrespective of their age. From headbands, to wishing wands, noisemakers, hats, clocks, and crowns, these crafts can allow children to personalize their New Year’s Eve celebrations and also express their creativity to their friends and family. better yet, the finished products also serve as a fun and memorable keepsake of this special occasion.

So, call your kids, gather your materials, allow their imaginations to run wild, and have fun with your family as you all craft your way into the new year! You might want a few ideas on fun New Year’s Eve crafts to do with your child to get them in the spirit of the celebrations.

It can be a gratifying and fulfilling family activity for both you and your kid to perform a News Year’s art project together. Here we have listed a number of enjoyable New Year craft ideas for you to peruse through.

New Year’s Eve Countdown Clock

If you are looking for easy New Year craft ideas, you could create a clock that counts down the hours until the new year. The countdown toward midnight is the most exciting part of any New Year’s Eve celebration, and children absolutely adore the anticipation that comes with waiting for the clock to strike 12. Since this is such a big part of the New Year’s celebration, it could be a great idea to get your child to create their own countdown clock.

All you would need is a paper plate and some decorative markers. You can help them write the numbers one through 12 around the edges of the plate like a normal clock before letting them decorate it further using stickers, glitter, and other such garlands. Using a popsicle stick as the clock hand and a thumb tack that nails it to the clock, you can get your child to wind down the hours as they pass toward midnight. To make things a little bit more exciting, you can even get them to color in the numbers of the hours as they pass.

Glittery New Year’s Hats

Using sequins, glitter, and other festive materials, you could decorate some hats. Hats are among the most popular New Year’s Eve regalia and are almost essential components for a western celebration of this kind. But why purchase these hats from a costume store when you and your child could instead create ones yourselves? To make your own New Year’s hats, the base material you would need is either paper or cardstock. You just need to cut out a cone shape and then staple it along the edges to make a fun party hat. Before stapling the hats, your child can decorate them with paint, markers, stickers, and other materials.

The process of making these hats is not only easy and fast, but it also gives your child the opportunity to flaunt their creative skills at the party itself.

Confetti Poppers

One of the most entertaining parts of a New Year’s celebration for a kid is when confetti is strewn around as the clock strikes midnight. So why not let them make their own confetti poppers? Making these poppers is relatively simple as all you need is confetti, tissue paper, and empty toilet paper rolls. You can start by cutting some tissue paper big enough to cover one end of the toilet roll, then you can secure it in place over the hole using a rubber band. You can then fill the roll with confetti before closing the opposite side in the same way. When the clock strikes 12 and it is time to celebrate, your child can then smash the roll in between two hands to shoot confetti into the air.

Party Noisemakers

What good is a New Year’s Eve celebration without a fair amount of noise? And what better noise makers are there than children? Speaking of noisemakers, they are a great choice of New Year’s crafts for pre-schoolers. All you need are items such as paper plates and dry beans or rice. After letting your kids decorate the exterior of their plates, you can fold the plates and stable their edges shut.

You can then let your kids add dry beans or similar objects into the plates before helping them stable them shut. Now, your children can shake these noisemakers like maracas during your New Year’s celebrations.

New Year’s Resolution Cards

Provided that they are old enough to read and write, you could have your kids create cards that list out their goals for the upcoming year. It is the perfect time for them to reflect on the year that has just passed and to line up goals for the year ahead of them. Resolution cards are among the best New Year’s art projects for kids to get into. As far as New Year’s arts and crafts go, this is also one of the easiest to do since all you need to do is provide them with construction paper or index cards for them to write their goals on.

Their goals could be as simple as learning a new hobby or making friends to the actualization of more serious things like improving their grades at school. Either way, it would be a great family bonding experience for you to then help them achieve their goals over the course of the following year. You can then place their cards in a jar or envelope for them to open up on the next New Year’s celebration day. This is, however, not the best option in terms of New Year’s crafts for toddlers, unless your baby is a savant with an impressively premature understanding of the English lexicon.

New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

As we have discussed, the ball drop is a popular New York celebration event on New Year’s Day. Using a cardboard box, glitter, and confetti, you and your child can make your own ball drop. You just need to cut out a circle from the top of a box and then cover the hole using gold or silver paper. You can then beautify the box using a variety of festive decorations. You and your child can fill this box with glitter and confetti before using a ribbon to suspend it from the ceiling.

At midnight, you can let your child release the string to drop the box and spread confetti, just like the real thing but on a smaller scale.

Fireworks Painting

If you want New Year’s Eve craft ideas that involve the use of paint, this one is for you. You and your child can use paint and glitter to produce stunning fireworks paintings. Fireworks are inextricably linked to the celebration of New Year’s, and creating a painting of fireworks can be a fantastic choice of New Year’s crafts for toddlers.

You can start the project by first preparing the workstation using newspaper or a drop cloth to make things easier to clean up.

You can then break out a canvas or high GSM paper and some paint. Allow your child to use a sponge that they can dip into the paint and then press onto the canvas to create their fireworks. To make the fireworks pop out a little more, your child could use a variety of different colors and apply some glitter for an additional dash of sparkle. Once the painting is finished, leave it to dry for a while before putting it out for display on New Year’s Eve.

DIY Sparklers

If you do not want your children to be exposed to the dangers of fireworks or live in an area where fireworks are prohibited, you and your child can still create your own makeshift and totally safe sparklers using pipe cleaners and glitter. For New Year’s art projects involving the creation of DIY sparklers, you will need pipe cleaners, glue, and glitter.

For the first step, you should take two pipe cleaning rods and twist them together to create a long stem. You can then allow your child to dip one end of the stem into the glue, and then sprinkle glitter over it. After you have left the glue to dry, your child can then let your child wave the stem around as if it were a sparkler. When the glitter catches the light, it will shine as bright as the real thing yet pose no threat to the well-being of your child or the environment.

Confetti Balloons

For a fun and festive touch, you and your child can fill transparent balloons with confetti. This is a great choice of New Year’s crafts for pre-schoolers as it is safe, easy to achieve, and an excellent way to let your children get involved in adding their own touch of festivity to the celebration.

You can start the project by allowing your kid to fill clear balloons with confetti before inflating them with helium to air. We suggest that you do the inflating yourself to protect your child from injury or accidentally ingesting the contents of the balloons.

If you want to go for an extra magical touch, you can even add small amounts of glitter to the mix inside the balloons before inflation. Once your balloons are stuffed and inflated, you may proceed to tie a string to the tied end and let them drift and float around the party space. For some extra fun, you can get your children to pop the balloons as the clock strikes midnight to start the year off with a bang as the party is filled with glitter and confetti.

Festive Headbands

Helping your children create festive headbands is an easy and entertaining way to add some pizazz to their New Year’s outfits. To make these headbands, you can get your hands on some plain headbands that your children can then decorate using glitter, paint, sequins, and other such decorations to make them look as festive as possible. For extra brownie points, you can even help them add messages such as “Happy New Year” or “Cheers to 2023” using letter beads or stickers. Children of all ages can enjoy this task as well. The best thing about this project is that it will allow the personality and creativity of your children to shine.

New Year’s Eve Wishing Wands

This is another fun and imaginative way to get your children into New Year’s arts and crafts projects. If you want to make wishing wands with your kids, you must first buy some paper straws or a wooden dowel, ribbons, tinsel, and other decorations. Using the dowel or straw as the rod, you can help your children attach the decorations to one end. If you want to go the full nine yards, you can also help them cut out a star from Styrofoam or cardboard to attach at the end as well.

Using metallic colors of paint, you can decorate the want and stars further to give them a magical shimmer. At your New Year’s Eve party, your children can wave their magic wand and make wishes for what they want to see come out of the new year.

New Year’s Eve Crown

If you want to add some festive regality to the outfits of your children this New Year’s Eve, consider helping them make their own crowns. You can start the creation of these crowns using foam or paper as the base. You can decorate these bases with sequins, glitter, and paint before stapling them into shape. If you want to make their crowns extra special, help them add a lovely New Year’s message to their headpieces. With their crowns completed, your children can walk around the New Year’s Eve party feeling like royalty as they usher in new beginnings for their kingdom. This is a fantastic art and craft project for your kids if you want to give them an opportunity to show off their personality and creativity to their families.

In conclusion, New Year’s Eve is one of the most important times of celebration on the calendar, and it is super important to make your kids feel as if they are a crucial part of the festivities. It will not only keep them entertained but also make them feel more engaged in the event overall, fostering in them a healthy appreciation for this annual tradition. Every craft idea we have discussed will also elevate the New Year’s Eve experience that your child has. Glittery hats will get your children in the festive spirit, confetti and noisemakers will bring out their excitement, the countdown clock will help them learn how to keep track of time, and resolution cards will teach them how to set goals for themselves. Most importantly, New Year’s Eve craft projects offer you the chance to exercise family bonding experiences with your children, bringing you closer during a time of celebration for all that we hold dear to us.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Make New Year’s Eve Exciting for My Children?

Adults may have their own way of celebrating New Year’s Eve, but you can get your children in on the action too by getting them started with a fun and easy arts and crafts project. You could also let them feel as if they are more a part of the celebrations by whipping up some tasty mocktails for them to enjoy.

What Is a Good New Year’s Eve Activity for My Family?

You and your family could put together a time capsule that you can then plant in your backyard or somewhere special. You can get your children to make drawings and write personal letters to themselves that they can place inside this capsule before placing it on the ground and covering it up. You can leave this capsule in the ground to be dug up the following New Year’s Day to reflect on your past with nostalgia. Alternatively, you and your family could leave the time capsule buried for decades and unearth its contents once your children are all grown up.

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What Are the Benefits of Arts and Crafts?

The arts and crafts can be more than just fun and fulfilling. There are also many psychological benefits to being creatively productive since it can also improve your overall mental and emotional well-being. In this article, we are going to explore numerous arts and crafts activities that you can perform to avoid being bored. But, before we do so, let us first discuss some of the many benefits of engaging in arts and crafts.

Stimulating Creativity

One of the primary aspects of what makes crafting an ideal method of beating boredom is the fact that it stimulates creativity. Boredom often stems from finding oneself in a rut and this can come from the tedium of doing the same routine over and over. When we start to create art, however, engaging in this process of creation forces us to innovate and think beyond the lines that we typically leave within.

The process is incredibly re-energizing and does wonders in assisting people with breaking free from the shackles of boredom.

Providing a Sense of Accomplishment

One of the other main benefits that come with engaging in arts and crafts is the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a project. Boredom also stems from an absence of the feeling of achievement. When we create things, however, we present ourselves with tangible evidence of what our efforts can produce. This is not only good for boosting our self-esteem but it also drives up our sense of purpose.

Relieving Stress

You may have heard that art is an excellent way to relieve the tension of cognitive stress, which is an absolutely true statement. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, you could find immense reprieve through creating art. It allows the brain to relax and unwind as you are given the agency to direct your focus away from the stressors causing you to worry.

The arts and crafts also provide us with a healthy outlet through which we may process and overcome our most painful emotions.

Improving Concentration and Focus

Boredom is, in many ways, characterized by a lack of direction and determination. What better way to cure such an affliction than to engage oneself in an activity that demands focus and concentration? If you are feeling bored, your mind may tend to wander, which prevents you from remaining focused on the task at hand. When you create art, however, you find yourself fully engaged and invested in your task. This has been scientifically proven to enhance a person’s concentration and ability to focus, even when it comes to day-to-day tasks.

Boosting Cognitive Function

There are numerous scientific studies that corroborate the notion that the creation of art has a positive impact on overall cognitive functionality. By engaging ourselves in arts and crafts, we are able to improve our memory, sharpen our problem-solving skills, and enhance our critical thinking. The benefits are unending, as the process steadily upskills our mental agility.

Better yet, it has been proven to prevent the likelihood of experiencing boredom in the future.

Fostering Self-Expression

The creation of art is one of the best ways in which one may go about expressing themselves and communicating their thoughts and feelings. Not only does it assist us in interpreting and expressing complex emotions, but it also helps us learn how to connect with others on a less superficial level. When we find ourselves feeling bored, creating art is a genius way of tapping into our deepest thoughts and feelings. It is also a great way to express these feelings in a constructive way to ourselves and others.

Promoting Mindfulness

If you are struggling to remain present in the moment, creating art can be a mindful activity that relieves or prevents dissociative episodes. When we place our focus on creating things that we enjoy, we are less likely to find ourselves distracted by our thoughts and worries.

This can help us develop a deeper connection with the world that surrounds us and improve our environmental awareness.

Encouraging Experimentation

The arts and crafts offer us a fantastic means through which to explore new things. As we have said, being bored can stem from finding oneself in a rut of monotony. When we begin to make art, however, we are able to broaden our horizons by discovering new mediums, styles, and techniques. By experimenting with the many ways in which art can be produced, we can become a lot more innovative and creative with the way we choose to approach our day-to-day lives.

The Ultimate Boredom Killer

In conclusion, creating art is a fantastic way to beat boredom and improve our overall well-being. Whether it involves painting, drawing, sculpting, or crafting, the act of creating something can stimulate our minds and boost cognitive function, foster self-expression, promote mindfulness, and encourage experimentation, among other things.

So next time you are feeling bored, grab some art supplies and start creating. You may be surprised at how much it can enrich your life.

Crafts to Do When Bored

One of the hallmarks of boredom is the feeling that there is nothing to do. But, with a few art supplies and a little bit of creativity, you can thwart your boredom by engaging in one of the many fun crafts to do when you have nothing else going on. By engaging in some crafty things to do when bored, you can transform your time into a productive period of fun and fulfilling activities.

If you are looking for some inspiration for things to make when you are bored, the remainder of this article will be dedicated to just that. Join us as we list out some of the many creative activities you can engage in.

DIY Dreamcatchers

Even with the keenest sense of bohemia, one may not be completely immune to boredom. But if the bohemian style matches your proclivities, you might want to consider making your own dreamcatcher. All you will need is a wooden or plastic embroidery hoop, beads, some string, feathers, and any other decorative elements you fancy.

You can start by wrapping the string around your hoop. Make sure that you tie it tightly at the starting point for security. You may then wrap loops around the hoop, ensuring they are closely spaced together. You can then string beads onto the web and attach feathers as you see fit using glue or string.

Friendship Bracelets

Making friendship bracelets is one of the many suitable crafts to do when bored for kids. In fact, it is a perfect crafting exercise for people of all ages. To make them, you will need some embroidery floss or string. Choose a variety of colors as well if you want to make something a little more eccentric. You can cut off several pieces of string roughly 24 inches long and then tie them together, leaving a small loop. You can then begin to separate the strings into two groups, after which you can take a string from one end and tie it over a string from the second group.

Rinse and repeat this process until you have tied all the strings.

You can then add any ornaments or jewelry to your completed bracelet. A fun thing to do when making friendship bracelets is to buy some beads with lettering on them that can be threaded onto the bracelets in an order that fits the name of their recipients.

Bubble Wrap Prints

This is an easy art project that can beat away your boredom without you needing to invest much time or resources. If you have limited experience in arts and crafts, this one makes for an easy start. All you will need is some bubble wrap, paper, and a bit of paint. Begin by cutting off a small piece of bubble wrap and then dipping it into some paint. You can now make a fun and interesting print by pressing your bubble wrap onto the paper.

Once you feel more comfortable working with this medium, you can begin to experiment with different sizes of bubble wrap and multiple colors of paint to create more complex designs. Although this may seem like an unlikely medium for such things, the bubble wrap printing method can be used to create all sorts of artworks, including landscapes and abstract art.

Drip Painting

Another one of the many crafty things to do when bored is to create a drip painting. The best thing is that this art style requires little to no expertise to perform, which makes it a great choice for beginners. Put simply, this technique involves dripping several different colors of paint directly onto paper or a canvas, after which point you can let the colors blend together. You will only need a small collection of different colors of paint, a suitable canvas, and some newspaper to collect spillage in order to get started.

For the uninitiated, drip painting is an easy avenue into obscure art styles such as representational and abstract. Drip paintings are produced by pouring paints of various colors and textures directly onto a canvas.

If you are looking for crafty things to do when bored, you might find yourself in a rabbit hole with this activity. As you develop your skills, you will find a multitude of styles and techniques waiting for you to learn and master in drip painting. For example, you could produce a variety of designs and effects by tilting your canvases as you apply the paint.

Collage Art

If you enjoy using old, pre-existing media to create unique contemporary works of art, collage art is one of the most versatile styles to work with. And since the scale of complexity and expertise ranges far, this style offers something fulfilling for beginners, intermediates, and veterans alike.

If you want to make collage art, you will need some old magazines whose media appeals to you. Scissors, glue, and a suitable canvas – even paper will do.

To get started, you need to peruse through these magazines or newspapers and cut out any images or text that stand out to you. Once you have enough media cut-outs to completely cover the surface of your canvas, you can begin gluing them on to produce interesting and unique compositions. You can infuse different colors, textures, and patterns to create a variety of interesting effects.

As you get better at your compositional skills, you can create some pretty brainy, subtextual art by picking a collection of media that, when bonded together in a particular pattern or composition, creates a contrast that produces new meaning. This is especially easy to do using text from magazines, advertising flyers, and newspapers.

Juxtaposing the text with the images you choose can be a fun way of recycling old media into provocative contemporary pieces of art.

Salt Painting

If you are searching for crafts to do when bored for kids, look no further. This unique and entertaining art style has an incredibly low barrier to entry. The basis of what salt painting is all about lies in drawing a design onto a suitable canvas using a glue stick and then pouring salt over it. The salt will adhere to whatever part of the canvas has been glued and fall off its dry spots, giving an interesting texture to whatever design you sketched out.

You can break out the watercolors to then give the salted surface a brush of color. Paper or an otherwise suitable canvas, glue, salt, and a brush are what you will need to create a salt painting.

You can start by drawing out your design using glue. If you are not using a glue stick, you can use a brush to spread the adhesive. You can then sprinkle salt over the glue and let it sit and dry. Once the glue has hardened with the salt attached to it, you may begin to drop watercolors onto the salt, which will give the piece a beautiful dash of color. Designs such as flowers or galaxies are easy to produce using the salt painting technique.

String Art

If you enjoy geometric design, string art is one of the many fun crafts to do suited for you. It is an easy-to-do activity that only requires some string, a canvas, and a few nails or tacks. The first step of the process involves drawing your intended design directly onto the canvas using a removable medium such as a pencil. Then you can use your design as the guideline for where to hammer in your nails or tacks. After tracing your design with nails, you can then wrap the string around them. You could experiment with using multiple colors of string to create different, interesting effects.

If you are a big fan of geometry or math in general, this can be a great activity to do in your downtime. It is a way to give your mind a break from tough calculus while engaging in a task that is closely related to the skills you have developed with numbers.

Marble Painting

Marble painting is one of the many cool art ideas suitable for the creation of unique designs on paper mediums. To make a marble painting, you will need a few marbles, some paint, and a shallow container. You can start by dropping a few marbles into different colors of paint until they are completely covered. Then, you can take your paper and place it inside your container. You may then take your painted marbles and throw them into the container and swirl them around over the paper. As the marbles roll around, they will produce beautiful patterns on the paper, which can then be removed from the container and left out to dry.

If you are not one to keep a well-stocked art supply, this is one of those things to make when you are bored using regular household items. Marble paintings require paper, some paint, a few marbles, and one shallow plastic container.

To get started, you can drop your marbles into several colors of paint – make sure that you get even coverage. Next, you will take your paper and lay it inside the shallow container. Now you can throw the painted marbles into the container and swirl them around across the surface of your paper. The marbles will spread their paint in interesting patterns as they are shaken about. To finish off, you can remove your paper and leave it out to dry.

Watercolor Resist Art

If you want more ideas of crafts to do when bored, here is another great example. This is an activity easy enough for a toddler to perform, and it involves drawing a design onto a piece of paper or suitable canvas using only plain white crayons or pastels and then painting watercolor paints over it. Since crayons and pastels contain hydrophobic oils, only the background of your designs will retain the pigment of the paint while the design itself remains a white silhouette.

Tape Art 

One of the coolest things to make when you are bored is tape art, which is a striking art style that even newcomers could expect a low barrier to entry. Without much skill at all, you can create some pretty intricate designs. Tape art involves using painter’s tape to create stencil designs on paper or canvases You will first need to get your hands on some painter’s tape, of course, and some paint.

Once you have applied your tape design, you can then paint over the negative space not covered in tape. Once the paint is dry, you can peel off the tape to reveal the final art piece. First-timers can consider applying their tape in an easy-to-do striped pattern.

When you have sharpened your skills and improved your technique, you can experiment with taping more intricate patterns. You can work with a variety of paints and even explore working with specific color palettes.

Sponge Painting

A great boredom buster is sponge painting, which is an arts and crafts activity easy enough to perform at any level of artistic proficiency. In fact, this is one of the easiest styles that can be used to produce textured designs of paper and canvases.

All you will need is a selection of sponges, a variety of paint, and some paper or an otherwise suitable canvas.

This art style involves dipping your sponges into paint and then dabbing the paint in some pattern onto the paper. For starters, you should try out a piece using one color of paint. You can then move on to creating more complex works of art using a combination of different colors and sponges. Remember that different sponges have different shapes, sizes, and degrees of porousness, all of which are factors that will determine what sort of texture and effects they produce when used to paint.

Paper Mosaic

If you are looking for a simple craft to kill the time in a creative way, you could consider playing around with paper mosaics. The technique is a basic deconstruction of mosaic tiling, where you glue pieces of cut paper to a canvas as opposed to tiles on concrete. You could start the process by drawing out a design using an erasable medium (like a pencil).

You can then use your drawn design as a guideline for where you place your cut-outs of paper. You can experiment with your choice of colors as well to create more cohesive and impactful pieces.

Leaf Prints

If you are the outdoorsy type who struggles to find peace while indoors, you could bring nature into your living space by making leaf prints. This is an easy way to have fun with nature as some of the mediums will come straight from the garden or forest. To get started, you will have to collect some leaves and then place them onto pieces of paper or fabric. Afterward, you can lay either parchment paper or wax paper above the leaves. You can then use a rolling pin or another suitable smooth and sturdy object to press the leaves into the paper.

After you have removed the leaves from the paper, you will see that they have left an impression behind on the substrate. If you come to really enjoy this style of artwork, you can start experimenting with the inclusion of other mediums, such as the use of drawing tools to add extra details.

Wax Paper Art

Wax paper art allows you to produce colorful designs using a very simple method. It involves melting crayons on a hot plate or inside a muffin tray, to begin with. After your crayons have melted, they can be removed and pressed flat on wax paper.

After they have been given enough time to cool down and solidify, they will remain adhered to the wax paper.

You can then take special care to not tear the paper as you peel it from the dried crayons. You can now take these dried crayon slabs and cut out some fun designs, such as decorations for an upcoming festive event. For obvious reasons, this can be a great craft to do shortly before Christmas.

Handprint Art

If you want more crafts to do when bored for kids, we have one more for you. Handprint art involves dipping your child’s hand into a safe paint with little to no VOCs, such as acrylic, and pressing it onto paper or an otherwise suitable canvas. Using the natural shape of your child’s hand, you can create a number of different subjects, such as flowers and animals. This is a fun activity to do with your kids as you can use it to track their growth and create a memorable keepsake for your family to reflect on fondly in the years to come.

Nature Collage

Here is another boredom-busting activity for nature lovers to get involved in. If you want to bring your proclivity for the outdoors into the household with you, you can fuse nature and art to create some epic workpieces. An easy thing to do in this regard is to make a nature collage, which first involves collecting a number of trinkets from nature. You should collect a variety of things easily accessible in places like forests, such as twigs, flowers, and leaves. You can then get a piece of paper or canvas and glue on the elements you have found in nature.

You can play around with the layout to create interesting compositions. This is an excellent way of abating boredom and fostering a deeper interest in the beauty of the natural world.

Stained Glass Art

If you are still feeling uninspired and bored, we have one more suggestion that may brighten up your day. This one, as it happens, involves the manipulation of color and light. For starters, you should draw out a design onto some paper or cardboard and then glue them to a piece of contact paper before cutting the pieces out into shapes. You can then fill the shape with a variety of different colors of tissue paper. Afterward, you can add one more layer of contact paper on the top. To finish off, trim the edges and then hang the final piece against a pane of the window that receives a lot of sun. Once the sun hits that window, the room will be filled with a collage of beautifully reflected colors and the sunlight refracts through the paper.

In conclusion, crafting is a great means through which one can beat boredom by expressing their creativity. From dreamcatchers to stained glass art, there are endless possibilities for fun and inventive activities to keep you engaged when you have nothing to do. So, the next time you’re feeling bored, grab some craft supplies and start creating! Not only will you have something to do, but you will also have a beautiful workpiece to enjoy and showcase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Boredom?

There are a plethora of factors that can contribute to boredom. Most typically, however, boredom comes from being stuck in a repetitive and tedious cycle. This can be caused by monotonous tasks such as work, studying, researching, and even waiting in line at the grocery store. Fortunately, arts and crafts are an excellent avenue through which to avert boredom.

Can Art Cure Boredom?

Yes, even though boredom is more of a state of mind than it is a clinical diagnosis, art remains an effective cure. Engaging in arts and crafts has a soothing effect on the mind and can keep your mind engaged when it would otherwise wander. Giving yourself a creative task to do is a great way to occupy your time in a way that is both practical and enjoyable. Art is a great way to pass the time since it does not feel like work.

Is Art Good for You?

Yes, art is of physiological and cognitive benefit to all who partake. For starters, art improves our hand-eye coordination and tunes our fine motor skills. Art can also be a relaxing hobby that puts the mind at ease and reduces stress. By engaging in the arts, we also get exposed to different cultures and styles as we learn how to express ourselves creatively. Thus, engaging in arts and crafts is of holistic benefit to a person.

Der Beitrag Crafts to Do When Bored – Fun Crafts to Make at Home erschien zuerst auf Your DIY, Crafting and Painting Guide.

Fall Crafts for Kids

It’s that time of the year when gardens are overrun with leaves and nature’s colors start changing right in front of us. Fallen leaves in the garden can become unique gifts for the family with just a little imagination. With the little ones at home, we think a bit of acrylic paint and Mod Podge will get you through those long days where kids have a habit of saying, “I’m bored.” Let’s get started with those fun craft ideas for kindergarten kids and a few for older kids.

In this article, we will look at making:

• Name place cards for the dinner table
• Candle holders
• A pine cone basket
• Leaf sketching
• Hand and leaf paint prints
• Autumn leaf bunting
• Glitter leaves

Simple Autumn Crafts to Make

If you have been lucky enough to go to the beach with younger children, the first thing they invariably do is pick up the first shell they find and grab your attention by saying, “look how beautiful this is!” Well, it should be no surprise that they typically do the same when finding the perfect autumn leaf. Children are often in awe of the stunning shades of red and orange that autumn brings.

On a walk through the fallen leaves, you will likely find yourself carrying many of your child’s treasured finds. Let’s look at a few ideas we can create with the random gifts you are presented with.

A Dinner Party With a Difference

When playing in the garden a few hours before dinner time, you can give your kids the task of finding the best leaf they can. This will keep them occupied for a while. It’s a lot of fun and could become a great adventure for them. Sit back and enjoy watching the treasure hunt – it’s probably going to get loud! You will need a few simple items for the craft project with these leaves

• Big beautiful leaves of all colors
• A bowl of water
• A drying cloth or towel
• Sharpie pens

Once all the leaves are collected and admired, it will be fun to sit in a circle and choose the best ones for the table. Once you have the best of the best, it’s time to start getting creative by making name tags for each person eating dinner.

Have a small bowl of water for each child and ask them to carefully dip their leaves into the water to remove any nasty residue, and then place the leaves on a cloth or a towel to dry. If the kids are too small and don’t know how to write, you can write the name of each dinner guest on the smooth side of the leaf right at the top. This can be done with a sharpie pen. Once the names are written down, hand the leaves back to the kids and ask them to draw the faces of each person.  

Laying the table will be an exciting chore because the kids can then decide on the table seating and present their beautifully decorated place cards. It may not be the best place cards you have seen, but oh boy, it will certainly be a proud moment for each kid, and there will also be plenty of laughs!

Mod Podge and Leaves

Everybody has a few old glass tumblers in the kitchen that are not being used, so why not try your hand at creating a beautiful candle holder for the dinner table? This is one of those fall arts and crafts projects that most kids can do, no matter their age. You will need the following items to complete this fun fall craft project.

• Old glass tumblers
• Small candles
• A nice collection of small leaves
• A paintbrush
• Mod Podge
• A pair of scissors

Wash the tumblers and dry them, so they are clean from old finger marks. With a paintbrush, paint the backside of a leaf with Mod Podge and place the leaf directly onto the surface. Carry on until the entire glass surface is covered. Because most tumblers are relatively small, using the smaller leaves from the garden will mean that you can get more textures onto the surface. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect because the idea is to cover the entire area, and little oopsies won’t make a difference. Once all the leaves have been placed on the glass, leave them to dry for about 15 minutes.

Once the leaves have dried, you can paint the entire surface with the Mod Podge so that all the leaves are covered. If any leaf pieces overlap the edges of the glass, cut them off with scissors and then leave the glass to dry completely. Once it is dry, place the little candle in the glass, and it is ready for the table! The light from the flame will make the leaves glow.

Pine Cone Basket

During the fall season, we all think of beautiful leaves on the ground, but what about pine cones? If you don’t have any trees in your garden, taking a pleasant stroll around the neighborhood is a sure way to find a few treasures as you enjoy the outdoors and get some fresh air. Here is a list of supplies you will need for the next craft idea.

• A basket with handles
• Pine cones
• A few big leaves
• Acorns
• A bucket filled with warm soapy water
• A piece of ribbon to tie onto the basket
• A dry cloth or old towel
• Paintbrushes
• Paper towels
• Old newspaper
• Small cups of water to clean the paintbrushes
• A good range of acrylic paint colors
• Glitter or clear lacquer
• Metallic paint, glitter, and Mod Podge are optional

Take a basket with you so that while you are exploring, the kids can pick their best treasures. Tell them you are looking for big beautiful leaves, pine cones, and perhaps a few fallen acorns. The filled basket will make the best accent piece for your kitchen or bathroom, and the kids will take the bragging rights.

Once you have all your treasures, put the basket to the side because it will be used to display the bounty when these easy fall crafts are finished. Filling up a bucket with warm soapy water, ask the kids to carefully wash their treasures by swirling them in the water. This is a great fall craft for kindergarten kids because not much can go wrong. 

Once all the little pieces have been washed, please place them on a towel to dry. While the treasures are drying, set out acrylic paint, paint brushes, small cups of water, and paper towels and cover the table with old newspapers, as this is going to get a little messy. You can have Mod Podge and glitter on standby to add a little drama! If you want to create a beautiful masterpiece that the kids will be proud of, you can use a few metallic paint colors, such as copper, silver, or gold, which are water-based.

Once all the treasures are completely dry, each child should choose their object and color. This way, you will ensure that you will get the best use of each color for these simple autumn crafts. Once all the pieces have been painted, it’s time to wash those hands and then let the objects dry. Once they are dry, if any of them want to add a bit of sparkle, paint a few small areas with Mod Podge and let them sprinkle some glitter over the wet spots. Leave that to dry for about 15 minutes, and to add a nice glow to the treasures, you can spray paint it with glitter or clear lacquer. As it is drying, take the basket and tie a beautiful ribbon on the handle and then let the kids pack the basket so that all their pieces are displayed. 

Leaf Sketching

A great fall crafts for kids’ project is to show your kids how to use a pencil to create leaf sketches. The effect is beautiful and can be displayed on bedroom doors or framed and hung up in a kid’s bedroom. You will need the following items.

• Four leaves of different sizes
• Gray pencil
• White paper
• Eraser

Once again, this will entail a stroll through the neighborhood or backyard to go scrounging for the perfect leaves. Try and find at least four different-sized leaves that are still quite flexible and not too brittle. Once you have the leaves, you will need blank white paper and a gray pencil. Flatten the leaves as best as possible, then place one leaf on a flat surface and cover it with white paper. Then with the gray pencil, using the side of the pencil and not the tip, start shading over the entire leaf, from the top to the very bottom little corner. It doesn’t matter if it is not perfect.

Little hands might get tired during this project, and as such, you will see some darker and lighter areas which is fine as this will add to the mystique of the picture. Once the first leaf is done, please remove it from the surface and place the next leaf down. You can decide to have them far apart, or you may even want to overlap them. It doesn’t matter because imagination is critical when creating art with little ones.

Once the artwork is completed, the final touch is to add the name and date. You will now have a fine masterpiece on your hands. If there are smudges on the page from all the frantic movements, rub them out with a soft eraser to neaten up the page. This is one of the more simple kids fall crafts to make, and you would also have used the opportunity to help your child hold a pencil differently.

Hand and Leaf Paint Prints

This is a fall craft for kindergarten-aged children that want to do something exciting. It’s messy, so best you are prepared ahead of time. It is also a good idea for the kids to wear a T-shirt or apron to protect their clothing. Here are the items needed for this fall craft.

• An old T-shirt or apron
• Lots of newspaper or a plastic tablecloth
• Paintbrushes
• A nice selection of acrylic paints in different colors
• Plastic plates
• White cardboard
• Mod Podge
• A big bowl of warm soapy water
• At least four nice-sized leaves
• A bottle of clear lacquer is optional

Let each child choose their four leaves, which they should set aside and have the white cardboard in front of them. Each child can now paint one hand, or alternately you can go around the table and add a dollop of paint to the plastic plate next to each child and then smooth it out so that if a child places a hand in the paint, the entire hand plus fingers will have color on them. We warned you this was going to get messy! Once the hand has paint on it, press it down on the white cardboard and carefully lift it back up. A beautiful impression of the hand will now be on the cardboard in a bright color. It’s always great if you can get both left and right hands onto the cardboard; this way, the parents can keep it to remember how their children have grown when looking back at their artwork.

Once all the little painted hands are washed in clean soapy water, let’s start with the leaves. They can be placed one by one on the cardboard by covering the entire surface of the leaf on the rough side with Mod Podge and pressing it down on the cardboard in a pattern of choice. Be careful not to cover the precious pictures of their palmprints!

If you want to protect the masterpiece once it is finished, paint Mod Podge over the entire piece of cardboard or spray it with a clear lacquer and let it dry before putting it in a focal area of the home where everybody can admire the artwork.

Autumn Leaf Bunting

The entire family can enjoy this perfect arts and crafts project. It’s a fall craft for kindergarten children as well as being one of the easiest fall crafts to make where older kids can join in, and because a few hot items are going to be used, the participation of a grown-up may be needed.

Making a “no sew” autumn leaf bunting is one of the relatively easy fall crafts to display during this beautiful season, either outside on the patio or in the dining room, and can be added to Thanksgiving festivities when the entire family is together. The collection of fall leaves should be on the smallish side so that you can fit in as many leaves as possible in each section. For this project, you will need the following items.

• At least 30 to 40 dried autumn leaves that are relatively small
• A generous amount of wax paper
• A heated iron with an ironing board or a flat surface covered with an old towel
• Newspaper
• A half-inch ribbon
• Hot glue gun

Place the leaves on wax paper and try to cut them into triangular shapes. Once done, carefully place another piece of wax paper over the leaves. Take a piece of newspaper, cover the wax paper, and go over the entire newspaper surface with a heated iron. The heat from the iron will melt the wax and fuse the paper and leaves together.

Arrange the triangles in one straight line as you want to display them, then move from triangle to triangle, adding glue onto the ribbon, and lightly press down. Remember to leave a piece of ribbon sticking out at both ends of the bunting so that you use those ends to hang it up. Leave a little gap between each triangle and repeat the process until all triangles are glued. This will be an attractive bunting to add to your front door or even used as a display in a window.

Glitter Leaves

Which kid doesn’t love sparkly things? Making easy fall crafts is a brilliant way to spend an afternoon, and with glitter added to the mix, the day will be a winner. To make glitter leaves, you will need a few basic things.

• A selection of various-sized leaves
• Mod Podge
• Paintbrush
• Glitter in various colors
• White cardboard
• Bowl of warm soapy water
• Newspaper or plastic tablecloth
• Cotton or string is optional

Because of the amount of glitter used for this project, we suggest that this easy fall craft is done outside or in a room that is easy to sweep, otherwise you may have glitter around for years. Once you have a nice selection of leaves, take one at a time and paint it with Mod Podge. Once the surface is painted, sprinkle glitter over it to cover the glue surface and set it aside to dry. Repeat the process with all the glitter colors until the leaves are finished.

When the Mod Podge has dried, arrange the glitter leaves onto the cardboard in a design of your choice and then glue each piece down onto the cardboard using the Mod Podge. Once all the leaves are glued down, paint over the entire cardboard surface to lock in the glitter and let it dry overnight. If you like the idea of the glitter leaf hanging by itself, you can easily cover both sides with glitter and then tie a bit of cotton on the leaf’s stalk instead of using cardboard. You will now have little leaf-floating mobiles that can hang from the ceiling. Now that you have created some great fall crafts for kids, you will have time to take a little walk around the neighborhood and enjoy the season.

Simple autumn crafts to make may seem daunting for parents who think they have little artistic skill, but the majority of the skill involved in the making of fall crafts for kids is imagination! Your children will be as proud as punch after working side by side making their easy fall crafts. As a parent, always remember that in a few years, kids won’t necessarily recall what you bought them, but they will never forget the fun times spent with those they love most.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can Be Made With Fallen Leaves?

Almost everybody has a fallen leaves issue during the fall season, and instead of delegating chores, why not try a few fall crafts for kids using those leaves? Beautiful things, such as decorations for kids’ bedrooms, can be made as well as a few gifts for family members to let them know how much you all love the fall season. The kids will love it, and after enticing them with simple autumn crafts, you will probably be able to carry out the big chore of raking the leaves up with less grumbling.

What Are Some Fun Fall Crafts for Kids?

As the weather cools, you may start looking for some fun fall arts and crafts projects to keep your children busy indoors. A few kids’ fall crafts include making greeting cards using fallen leaves, bookmarks, and even candles.

Der Beitrag Fall Crafts for Kids – Fun Autumn Project Ideas erschien zuerst auf Your DIY, Crafting and Painting Guide.

Different Mirrors for Different Spaces

There are numerous shapes of mirrors when going to the shops to choose the best one for your home. Different shapes and sizes of mirrors can be purchased at any home decor store, and there is usually quite an array of mirrors to choose from. A personalized mirror can also be ordered to specific sizes and shapes, but other than the customized mirrors, the following shapes are what you would see on display with a view to purchasing.

• Rectangle
• Square
• Circle
• Oval
• Racetrack
• Hexagon
• Pentagon
• Octagon

So, what is the correct hanging mirror height for your mirror? We have created a handy table to assist you with how high to hang a mirror according to where you plan to mount it.

Purchasing the Mirror

Mirrors can be expensive, and choosing the exact location where you want to hang a mirror needs to be carefully considered. The following points should be noted before stepping into a shop to purchase a mirror:

• Is the wall straight?
• Is there enough height on the wall?
• Is there a reflection of the sun on a wall?
• Is the mirror going to be used as a functional mirror, or do you want it to reflect art?
• Will the mirror catch the glare from a ceiling light?
• Is there enough space on the wall for you to hang a mirror above a console table?
• Is there enough space to hang a mirror over a dresser?
• Is there enough space to hang a mirror over a couch?
• Will a wall allow you to hang a full-length mirror?

The Massive Wall Mirror

A beautiful mirror should be treated as an investment. After looking at the hanging mirror height and noticing that the mirror is too big for you to hang on your own, getting expert help is advisable, especially when hanging floor-to-ceiling mirrors. These become investment pieces because they will add to the value of your property and are something that you should look into when upgrading your property without going through the hassle of building alterations having to be done. Huge mirrors can also be propped up on the floor where it leans against the wall.

The secret to that, though, is to ensure that there is very little foot traffic going past the mirror, as it may become damaged over time.

Hanging Mirrors

Hanging mirrors in the home has a dual purpose. The first noticeable thing is to look at ourselves before going out, it is used to make a small space look more extensive, and it is also used to bring light into a home that does not have a lot of natural light coming in from the outside. The mirror size and the space in which you are going to hang a mirror are key. How high to hang mirrors is the next step we need to contemplate because if the mirror height in any room is unsuitable, the purpose of having mirrors in the home will be lost.

Once you have chosen the place where your mirror is to be hung, easy measuring steps done with cardboard and a pencil will work. Simply place a piece of cardboard that is more or less similar in size to the mirror that you want to purchase on the wall and outline the cardboard on the wall. Step back and look at whether the block you have drawn is in the center of the wall. If not, erase the outside lines and re-draw until you correct the centering.

The cardboard will help you to place your anchor points on the wall once you have the mirror. Once you have the outline of the mirror and it is entirely in the center of the wall, you need to find the center point of your lines by measuring from top to bottom. Draw a line that connects these points. We then need to determine the midpoint between the center line to the right of the mirror, and the centerline, to the left of the mirror. Draw these lines, which will then connect to the lines that you drew from the bop to the bottom. Once this is done, measure one-third down from the top line you drew and make a small mark. This will be where the nail or the mirror anchor will need to be hammered into the wall to hang the mirror.

Wall Anchors and Mounting Hooks

For mounting mirrors, it is recommended that the proper anchors are purchased, and for lighter mirrors, the correct mounting hooks are purchased. After your measurements have been noted and the markings have been made on a wall where the mirror is to hang, if you have a wall with wooden studs, simply drill two holes into the wall; we call these holes pilot holes which anchor into a point that you have marked on the wall. The mirrors can be hung with screws.

If you are going to mount a mirror on a wall that is made from concrete, you will need to use wall anchors or wall shields, and these will secure the screws into the wall. Drill your hole into the wall at the mark that you have made and then gently push the anchor into the hole and then screw the mounting screws into the wall.

After you have put the screws in, place a wire or rope onto the back of the mirror frame. The screws should extend no further than at least an eighth of an inch from the edge. 

How High to Hang a Mirror Over Furniture

When we talk about how high to hang a mirror over a console table, how high to hang a mirror over a dresser, or even how to hang a mirror over a couch, there is a straightforward rule to follow. The rule of thumb is if there is too much space between the furniture piece and the bottom of the mirror, visually, there will be a disconnect.

To hang a mirror over a couch in the sitting room or a dresser in the bedroom, the process of measuring will be the same. If the sofa and dresser are less than 30 inches tall, the same approach when measuring the eye level mirror can be followed, which is 60 inches to 65 inches from the floor. 

Mirrors hung in the dining room are usually placed above a sideboard or a serving table and will be suspended a little lower so that when your guests sit down, as the eye level changes, the mirror height will not be distorted. When looking at hanging a mirror above bigger or taller furniture such as a TV cabinet, the space between the bottom of the mirror and the very top of the mirror must be in the region of four inches to eight inches. You should always make sure that the mirror is at eye level.

If a mirror is to be placed over a fireplace, it is advisable to leave a gap of at least four inches to eight inches from the top of the mantle to the bottom of the mirror but take into account the size of the mirror and the shape of the mirror. If you are in any doubt when hanging a mirror over furniture, rather hang it one or two inches lower.

When looking at how high to hang mirrors in the bedroom and, more specifically, above the bed, if you have a headboard, the mirror should be at least four to twelve inches above the headboard. If you do not have a headboard, then placing a mirror from at least 58 to 62 inches from the bed would do the trick.

Always remember that if a mirror is too high, it loses its purpose and will only reflect the ceiling, so your personal preference will also go a long way when determining how high to hang mirrors throughout the house.

How High to Hang a Full-Length Mirror

If you are lucky enough to be able to afford a full-length mirror, careful consideration should be taken regarding mirror height. It can be a stunning addition to the home, and when a person walks past, ideally, the full length of the mirror should be at a height where the entire body is seeing. The general rule of how high to hang a full-length mirror will be about nine inches from the floor or just above the floorboard. Another great tip is when you decide on how high to hang a full-length mirror, make sure that you can see your shoes.

There, unfortunately, is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to full-length mirrors because not every person has the same height, but the baseboard measurement should work for the average person who wants to look at their entire body without too much difficulty.

What we can add here is that when choosing a mirror, if your wall allows it, the bigger, the better. The size of a full-length mirror is considered to be 48 inches long, but some mirrors will be as high as 65 inches. Smaller mirrors are easily used as full-length mirrors just as long as the entire body can be seen once you stand in front of it. To see if a full-length mirror is the correct size for you, at least half of your body must be seen in the mirror when it hangs, so buy a mirror that is at least as long as half of your height. The average woman in America is about 64 inches, and the average height for men is 69 inches, and then considering shoe heights and hat heights, a full-length mirror should not be smaller than at least 35 inches.

Determining whether you need a full-length mirror in your house is entirely up to you. Full-length mirrors do have dual purposes, so it may be something that you may want to purchase down the line. The full-length mirror is great to stand in front of to check that an outfit is fitting correctly before leaving the house, and it reflects more light into a room and also can make a small room seem more significant than it is.

It will undoubtedly add to the ambiance of a room and will not just be a functional piece of furniture in the home.

Before buying a full-length mirror, there are a lot of things to consider, such as do you have the space for the mirror and will the wall be strong enough to hold a heavy mirror. Full-length mirrors can be hung anywhere as long as there is enough space, but if you do not have a wall that is big enough to hang a full-length mirror, you may even consider hanging a thinner full-length mirror on the inside of your closet door. These are especially useful for those who are renting apartments.

How to Hang a Full-Length Mirror

Before any holes are drilled, make sure that the wall where you want to place the mirror is big enough. Remember, there are no fixed rules about mirror height when hanging a full-length mirror, but you should be able to see your whole body when it is up. Make a line on the wall with a pencil which will indicate how high to hang a full-length mirror, and place the mirror against the wall to see if your complete reflection is visible.

To hang a full-length mirror, you will either use nails or mirror anchors and if you prefer not to make holes in the wall, many products in the market can be used to secure the mirror to the wall, such as double-sided tape or strong glue made especially for this purpose. If using nails, use a level tool to make sure that your nails are perfectly straight, and if you are using another means to secure the mirror, drawing a straight line with a leveling tool will help you to get the mirror completely straight.

If you do not want to damage any walls with either nails or glue, there is also the option of purchasing a full-length mirror that is available on a mirror stand. These do, however, take up much more space as the stands are usually built in a tripod fashion, but it is a much easier alternative if you are worried about damaging your walls. Putting up a mirror is almost like putting a new fixture in the home, and once it is up, it should not be moved around too often, as both the mirror and the wall could become damaged.

The famous saying, “knowledge is power,” is very relevant in today’s article. Now with a little bit more insight into the world of how high to hang mirrors, moving house will be just a little easier. Mirror height and how high to hang a mirror over a dresser should be the minor things to think about when moving house. Rearranging your space or moving to a new home should be about creating new memories and looking forward to the new journey – discussions around hanging mirror heights should be the most irrelevant issue that arises. We hope that with this new knowledge in hand, you will be able to hang your mirrors with ease and with minimal issues!

Frequently Asked Questions

How High to Hang a Full-Length Mirror?

There are no hard and fast rules to how high to hang a full-length mirror. The basic rule of the hanging mirror height to follow is that the mirror should be placed on a wall so that the entire body can be seen when facing the mirror. People are not the same height, so your situation and your personal preference for how high to hang a full-length mirror should be a personal choice for the person who is going to look into the mirror.

What Is the Ideal Hanging Mirror Height?

The mirror height at eye level should be 60 inches to 65 inches from the floor. This will allow the mirror to reflect objects or beautiful artwork, or it will also be functional as a mirror to look into before leaving the house. A mirror’s height should never be too high so that it reflects the ceiling when hung.

How High to Hang a Mirror Above a Console Table?

A hanging mirror should be no more than 65 inches from the floor, and if you want to hang a mirror above a console, you may need to move the actual mirror up or down a few inches, as it depends on the size of the console that will determine where the mirror is placed. There should be a gap between the console and the bottom of the mirror of at least three to four inches so that the mirror then forms a cohesive background to the room and does not break the room up.

How High to Hang a Mirror Over a Dresser?

The best and ideal hanging height for a mirror to be placed over a dresser should be about four to six inches above the dresser. You should keep at least six inches between the bottom of the mirror and the top of the dresser. This will ensure that the mirror will make the room visually appealing.

Der Beitrag How High to Hang a Mirror – Our Top Mirror Installation Tips erschien zuerst auf Your DIY, Crafting and Painting Guide.

Exploring the Most Expensive Woods

When we gaze upon the Earth from the camera lenses of the cosmic devices we shoot into space, we find no reason to contest the propriety of its common epithet as “The Green Planet”. Thanks to the viridescence of the chlorophyll inside the leaves of our planet’s innumerable wealth of arbor, much of its surface is covered in immense swathes of green.

These trees, incidentally, are also a key ingredient in the climatic formula that affords our little green rock its abundance of complex life. Beyond their provision of the oxygen that we need to survive, however, trees serve us tool-bearing humans with a number of other utilitarian functions. The tough and fibrous tissue that grants our Earth’s trees their structure, what we call wood, has been used by humans for millennia as a common material in the fabrication of tools and structures.

Needless to say, our relationship with wood is more than long-standing. With this comes a centuries-old understanding of the woodworking craft, the evolution of which has led us to determine that some types of wood are simply better than others – whether it be for aesthetic or utilitarian reasons. Either way, better wood means bigger bucks.

What Is the Most Expensive Wood in the World?

First and foremost, what is the most expensive wood? If you thought you were about to be subjected to a lengthy listicle with the most important details buried somewhere at the bottom, think again! Topping the charts as the priciest lumber in all the realm is Bocote, which is priced at $28.14 per board foot. Although dependent on the species, Bocote is typically among the easiest woods to work with. Bocote is not only on par with other pricy woods in terms of exoticness, aesthetic values, and strength, but the ease of use it affords makes it a superior material.

Top 10 Most Expensive Woods

Our species, and many others for that matter, has used wood extensively throughout the ages. For us, timber is an ideally sustainable and relatively affordable resource that is useful in the construction of shelters, furnishings, and many other structures. But having a keen appreciation for aesthetics and good craftsmanship, we consider certain woods as better and thus worth more value – whether the difference lies in the rarity, the look, the texture, or even the smell.

We promised the most important information first, not the omission of a list entirely. So, please bear with us as we begin listing off the top 10 most expensive woods in the world. We also promise to dispense information that would prove genuinely helpful or stimulating for woodworking enthusiasts and homeowners with a genuine interest in the topic. Without further ado, here are the world’s top ten most expensive woods.

Pink Ivory

Costing around $6.50 per board foot, pink ivory is one of the many unique hardwoods hailing from the generous soils of South Africa. Also grown in Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, this tree is typically exported in turning stock form, meaning it is relatively easy for woodworkers to acquire in an untreated condition provided they have the money.

The color of this wood gives a clear explanation to its namesake, with the shades most commonly ranging from a deep and warm red to a pale, slightly browned pink. The most valuable variety of this wood boasts a beautifully vibrant pink, a color that is highly sought after in the timber trade.

This incredibly durable wood sees common use in the making of veneers, musical instruments, chess pieces, inlays, pool cues, and tool handles to name but a few examples. However, on account of its susceptibility to tear-out during planing, pink ivory is not favored as a viable material for boards. On the other hand, this makes it great for carving.

Sandalwood

Here is a name you are no doubt familiar with. Costing roughly $8.30 per board foot, sandalwood sees extensive use both in and outside of timber construction. This fine-grained wood is dense and carries a strongly yellow tint. Beyond its usefulness as a building or crafting material, sandalwood contains stunningly aromatic essential oils in its fibers, which can be harvested to produce fragrant perfumes and vanity products.

As of current, the primary value the modern market finds in sandalwood pertains to the usefulness of the essential oils found within. However, the high demand that comes with the popularity of sandalwood oil has led to diminishing supplies of the wood and a subsequent spike in its cost. The tree grows natively along the tropical belt of India’s peninsula. The distribution of the wood, however, occurs primarily in India’s drier forests and on two islands in Indonesia.

Purpleheart

Coming in at $10.50 per board foot, this Central and South American hardwood boasts a stiffness incomparable to most other woods on this list. The most unique and fascinating characteristic of purpleheart wood can be observed after it has been cut, at which point its colors undergo several stages of change. Initially, upon cutting, the wood appears a brownish and dull gray which will later mutate into a stunning deep purple through exposure to air. Slowly thereafter, the wood eases into a dark, purple-tinted brown. We see this wood used commonly in the making of furniture, sea vessels, flooring, and the construction of heavy structures.

Purpleheart does not only look the part but also performs well as a durable option among the world’s most exotic lumber. As mentioned, Purpleheart is incredibly stiff; this is in large part on account of the high volumes of resin it retains. This does unfortunately make the process of working with the wood much more difficult than others on this list. One thing that woodworkers absolutely despise about purpleheart is the fact that, when heated through the friction caused while cutting, the resin within can gum up and clog or jam tools.

Dalbergia

Here is another popular South African wood that grows in the green provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Sitting at $13 per board foot, Dalbergia is similar to sandalwood in that its latent mixture of fragrance-emitting oils gives it a wonderful aroma beloved by woodworkers and more than capable of filling a living space with a homely scent.

This lovely-scented wood is used most commonly in the fabrication of top-end furniture and sports equipment. Although primarily found in South Africa, its seeds have found fruitful soil across the pond in Madagascar and even as far as Asia, and Central and South America.

African Blackwood

Traveling northeast of South Africa, we find these stunning blackwood monoliths soaring out of the soils of Mozambique and Tanzania. At a cost of $13.20 per board foot, this wood is among the most durable timber materials out there.

Its durability, however, makes it difficult to cut or work with in general, and it is not too uncommon for the wood to dull the blades of even the most veracious of cutting instruments. The color of the wood itself more than makes up for the issues presented to those who work with it, boasting a deep, blackened brown that adds distinction and character to any space it is used in.

Unfortunately, the abundance of beautiful woods present in Africa’s biospheres has been exploited for far too many centuries, leading to the current issue wherein the supplies of this wood are dwindling as it faces extinction.

Bubinga

Africa is a continent often overlooked in many regards, one of which is no doubt its wealth of natural beauty, especially if this list thus far is anything to go by. At a per-board-foot cost of $15.30, Bubinga is a heavy hardwood found in Gabon, Cameroon, and along the Ivory Coast that comes in colors ranging from vibrantly pinkish reds to dark purples and black.

There are several varieties of this wood, some of which are considered to be more valuable commodities than others. The different varieties of Bubinga can be sorted according to the patterns of their grain, with the rarest of these grains costing the most. Its wide variety in colors and grains paired with a high degree of durability make Bubinga a popular choice of material in furniture-making and the fabrication of inlays

Ebony

Although not nearly as costly as its lyrical spouse, ivory, its price of $16.10 per board foot does make ebony the 4^th most expensive wood in the market right now. The fine, dark, and smooth finish of ebony wood makes it highly sought after as a material for ornamental purposes. From musical instruments such as piano keys to cabinetwork to inlays to furniture to crucifixes and so, so much more, the wood sees frequent use in projects demanding high-class aesthetic values. The high costs and difficult woodworking process associated with this wood lend to it most often only being used sparingly as a means to add detail to bigger projects.

This densely compact wood is of a dark, onyx-colored black or a deeply blackened brown color. In stark contrast to nearly any other kind of wood, ebony is too dense to allow for air particles to afford any buoyancy in water. Although ebony is typically used sparingly, woodworkers should aspire to decrease their usage of this wood even more so on account of illegal harvesting leading to it being placed under threat of extinction.

Agarwood

Coming in at a whopping $8087.50 per kilogram (35.30 oz), agarwood is not only one of the priciest but also the rarest type of wood in the world. Our documentation of our relationship with this wood dates as far back as the Abrahamic period, with it even being referenced in the Old Testament.

Formed exclusively from mold infections that affect South-East Asian trees such as the Gyrinops and Aquilaria, agarwood is a darkened heartwood that emits aromatic oils used in the production of high-end teas, perfumes, and toiletry products.

Once infected with the mold, the affected spots of the tree darken and increase in density, while also producing the aforementioned aromas. These sections of agarwood come at a high cost given their immense rarity and controlled cultivation. While top-shelf agarwood is something reserved only for the wealthiest of people, we do find ourselves with options for a lower-quality variant that costs a bit less.

Lignum Vitae

At $25.50 per board foot, Lignum Vitae is our second most expensive wood in the world. Found natively in both the South American north and the Caribbean, it is one of the most expensive hardwood options on the market. Its high costs are largely the consequence of its staggering slow growth rate of about 2 inches per annum. With such a low annual yield, its high demand has led to the skyrocketing of its prices.

Lignum vitae comes in a variety of colors, ranging from olive shades to a green-tinted, blackened brown. The high density of this wood tends to cause issues for woodworkers trying to cut through it and the task of doing so typically results in dull saw blades. Thus, lignum vitae wood is popularly retailed by the pound. But, since it is of a high density, the costs can stack up quickly.

This high density, however, lends it favors in terms of its potential applications. Very often, this dense wood is shaped into impact sports equipment and tools such as cricket bats. Its weight also makes it useful for numerous other objects and structures intended for use in windy, outdoor settings.

Bocote

Like any great story, we find ourselves where we started out. As discussed at the very beginning of this article, Bocote ranks #1 as the most expensive wood per board foot at $28.14. Though this ought to be determined by the specific type, Bocote is typically among the easiest exotic and expensive woods to work with. Bocote is not only on par with other pricy woods in terms of exoticness, aesthetic values, and strength, but the ease of use it affords makes it a superior material.

Found most commonly in regions of South and Central America, the Bocote is a tree that bears beautiful flowers in the springtime. Its wood is a fragrant browned yellow that becomes darker over the course of time. This durable and easily workable material and one of the most expensive woods for furniture and flooring. Even though it may not be the rarest type of wood, Bocote’s ease of use encourages a high demand that contributes to its high costs. This is the most expensive hardwood in the world.

How the Price of Wood Is Determined

The world’s most expensive wood types do not derive their costs from mere fancy. There is a list of five categories that are analyzed to determine the value of any kind of wood. These are durability, ease of working, aesthetic values, rarity, and resistance to weather. Now that we have finished discussing the top 10 most expensive wood in the world, let us cover these five categories and how they are used to figure out the pricing of these woods.

Durability

Wood of any kind is assigned a durability rating based on the strength of its heartwood, which is the name given to the center-most layers of a tree where we find the highest degrees of mechanical strength and resistance to decay and pests. The durability is measured by how well the strength of the heartwood’s natural resistance to external forces such as those aforementioned.

If the names are not enough of a dead giveaway, hardwoods blow softwoods out of the water when it comes to durability. Hardwoods are sourced from flowering plants, whereas softwoods come from coniferous trees.

Ease of Working

While many of the most durable woods in the world can cost a lot of money based on their structural rigidity alone, this durability is also what sometimes makes them difficult to work with. Dense wood can easily damage sawblades and can prove nearly impossible to curve.

Wood that is both durable and easy to work with in that it can be easily cut, drilled, curved, or sawed is thus considered more valuable. A pro tip on how to determine whether or not a wood is easy to work with is to inspect its texture. If you find that the texture of the wood is fine, chances are likely that it will prove to be easier to work with.

Aesthetic Values

This category is an easier one to understand, especially for any philistines reading with no prior woodworking experience. If it looks good, the price should correspond. If it looks great, well, it will cost you even more. Just as is the case with many other things, beauty comes at a cost. Extra points go to woods with enough durability and resistance to weather to negate the need for painting.

To further bring out the stunning patterns of the grain and the vibrancy of the colors in attractive woods, clear stains, and oil coatings do wonders. Nevertheless, you should expect to pay more for your wood the prettier it is.

Rarity

What makes the African blackwood the most expensive hardwood and counts it among the most expensive woods for furniture is its scarcity. The lower the supply of a wood, the higher its costs can be expected to reach.

The one tragic thing to consider, however, is that the rarity of a wood directly correlates with dwindling supplies caused by deforestation and illegal harvesting. Before you buy a rare wood, you should first make sure that it is not on an endangered species list and that it was sourced ethically.

Resistance to Weather

As the name suggests, this involves the quantifying of a wood’s ability to endure exposure to climatic factors such as sunlight, moisture, rain, and shifting temperatures. If a wood is highly weather-resistant, its possible applications for outdoor projects increase tenfold, leading to higher prices.

We thank you for joining us on this arboreal journey and hope you have enjoyed learning about the most expensive wood types. If you have been on the lookout for information regarding the most expensive wood variety available worldwide, we hope that this article has proven itself to be of assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Most Expensive Wood?

Bocote is the most expensive wood. It takes the cake as the priciest timber on the market given that its rarity, beauty, and durability are matched by how easy it is to work with.

What Is the Rarest Wood?

Listed as an endangered species, sandalwood is the rarest wood found worldwide. After decades of over-harvesting this popular resource, its dwindling supplies can no longer match the incessant demand which has led to the skyrocketing of the price points associated with sandalwood. It is important to understand that purchasing rare woods on the verge of extinction is philosophically adjacent to poaching endangered animals. If you cannot verify that a rare wood comes from credible sources, you should not purchase it.

What Makes Wood Expensive?

The high costs of top-quality wood are determined by factors. These include durability, ease of working, aesthetic properties, rarity, and resistance to weather damage.

Der Beitrag Most Expensive Woods – Top 10 Luxury Timbers erschien zuerst auf Your DIY, Crafting and Painting Guide.

Let’s Talk About Polymer Clay

Now, before leaping headfirst into the wonderful world of polymer clay, we need to understand a little more about clay, how clay is used, and what clay actually is. Polymer clay is a substance used in the art world and is loved because of its versatility. This clay is known for how easy it is to work with. It has pliability and is easy to mold with the fingers. Polymer clay is a modeling material that is baked in an oven and it is composed of polymers, coloring agents, resins, as well as fillers. When thinking of polymer clay ideas, it should be noted that this is not a natural clay, it is instead a clay that has been manufactured from plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Thousands of modeling clay or polymer clay items are created by artists, hobbyists, and crafters. You may also see polymer clay projects being created by moviemakers. The clay remains soft and is so versatile it can be baked in an oven at home without losing its size or color. Ready-made polymer clay is available in many colors, almost any color imaginable.

This wide variety of color also includes metallic colors and more importantly, the ever-popular glow-in-the-dark colors. The is not only heaps of fun to work with, but it is also used to simulate other materials, such as porcelain and glass. Children will have even more fun working with clay with so many awesome options.

Working With Clay

Fear not, you do not need to attend a fancy clay molding and baking course or own a fancy art studio when working with polymer clay. The home oven can safely be used to bake the clay once you have created some cute clay art. You will also want to ensure that the area or the space being used is well-ventilated. Many crafters who need to bake frequently, use a toaster oven! So, there is absolutely no excuse as to why you cannot start working with clay too!

If using your kitchen when undertaking DIY polymer clay ideas, remember to keep food away from the area that you are working on. Baking trays should be lined with foil before placing your polymer clay projects into the oven. 

While polymer clay is deemed safe to use by small children, they should be properly supervised when using the clay to form their polymer clay crafts, and even though it is known that the product is non-toxic, it should not be eaten or digested. Sometimes fumes can arise from the clay when baking and if this does occur, the clay should be sealed in an oven bake bag to prevent unwanted smells around the kitchen. 

Storing Polymer Clay

In between creating polymer clay ideas and polymer clay projects, the clay should be stored away from sunlight. It definitely should not be left in a car on a hot day as this may cause the clay to start baking. It is suggested that the clay is wrapped up in wax paper in an airtight container with a locking lid. The container that you use should be set aside for other clay projects and not be put back into the kitchen where food is to be stored in it. The best place to store the clay would be the fridge or freezer. 

Conditioning Clay

Conditioning is a word that is used in the clay world and is the process of warming and kneading the clay to prepare it for use. By conditioning the clay, you are adding to the pliability and this also reduces the risk of the clay breaking or crumbling. Sculpey clay ideas will be covered further along in this article and this particular clay can be conditioned very quickly by stretching the clay and kneading it. Almost the same process that you would use to bake bread.

By using a pasta-making machine, you are able to roll out many of the stiffer clays. Yes, you read correct, a pasta machine can be used to help the kneading process but because many do not have this versatile machine in the kitchen, the good old-fashioned kneading with the hands will have to be done so that you can achieve all the polymer clay ideas that you have forming in your head. 

Mixing Clays

Yes, you read that correctly! Did you know that by mixing clays, you can add a lot more depth to your finished product? Polymer clay is normally used as a backing, Ultra-light clay has lesshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9cboDDu1Tg weight and the glow-in-the-dark clays can easily be combined with lighter-colored clay or Sculpey clay to get almost a ghostly glow in your polymer clay projects. 

Creating Polymer Clay Art Pieces

If you are new to polymer clay or are looking for things to make with polymer clay, you have come to the right place to learn more about polymer clay ideas and how to get started on what can become a very fun hobby or even a lucrative business from home! Polymer clay is used to create a wide variety of art pieces, such as jewelry, home pottery, scrapbooking, and even sculptures.

Adding some colors into polymer clay when starting on a fun clay project is easy. The clay can be mixed with paint and it can even be formulated and colored by using chalk powders, ink, and sparkly glitter. Less conventional and slightly unusual methods exist too – colored pencils and paint mixed with the clay, as well as powdered makeup can be used to change your clay’s color. Once the clay has finished its stint in the oven, the clay can be sanded down and glazed. When creating your polymer clay ideas, your imagination is the only thing that may hinder you.

There are many online sites to help inspire and get your mind filled with creative polymer clay ideas.

Baking Polymer Clay

The different clays will have different baking times so the instructions on the outside of the clay should always be read before preparing any easy polymer clay ideas. You can now preheat the oven and line a baking tray with foil. When finished with the baking process, place the tray on a surface and allow it to cool down. The clay should be fully cured before handling. Should you prefer your clay product to be shiny in appearance, allow the clay to cool down. Next, you can begin to sand it with wet-dry sandpaper. This is done under running water. Once this has been done then you buff it with a soft cloth. You can even paint a layer of glaze onto the clay after the baking process has been completed. 

Painting Polymer Clay

All types of clays can be painted. Water-based acrylic paints that can be purchased from any arts and crafts shop can be applied to the clay. Several layers of paint should be used on the clay to give it a bright and professional finish. Wait in between each coat to ensure the paint is dry before applying another coat. If you want to use other paint and not just acrylic paint, it can be done but it will first have to be mixed with Sculpey glaze before painting the polymer clay projects.

Why to Use or Not Use Polymer Clay

Easy Polymer Clay Ideas

Are you finding it difficult to come up with unique and creative polymer project ideas? Perhaps you had a wonderful idea, but just are not sure what it is missing – while the world is your oyster when it comes to creating art pieces from polymer clay, the imagination sometimes just needs a little tweak to put you on the right creative road, for this reason, we list a few of the cute polymer clay ideas and cute clay art ideas to start your journey.

DIY Easy Clay Bowls

To make your own bowl using polymer clay, start forming the shape by hand into a round shape and once you have an almost round shape, roll the clay out with a rolling pin or glass jar. The thickness of the clay is entirely dependent on your tastes. Place the cut-out clay shape onto the outside of a round bowl to get the correct round shape you are looking for. Once you have the desired shape and size, carefully move the clay inside the ovenproof bowl and put it into the oven. The clay will bake in the ovenproof bowl and it will retain its round shape. Follow the package instructions carefully. Once the bake time is complete you can remove the bowl from the oven and set it aside until cold. Turn the bowl upside down and give a few taps so that your clay bowl will detach itself. You now have a beautiful clay bowl that can be used in the kitchen for your used tea bags.

Jewelry Bowls

Choose the different colors of clay that you want to use and roll out each color into a snake shape, they should be about five inches long. If you like clean colors, then combine two white colors with your other colors. You should have enough clay so that you can roll out a six-inch circle. Now take all the colors you have chosen and make a big sausage roll out of them and then start twisting them together. The twist is then to be rolled out again into a snake shape.

There is no right or wrong way to twist the clay, the colors will all be visible once the clay has baked.

Once your twist is double its length, fold the twist and twist the two ends together, and repeat the rolling and folding method again at least three times to make sure your colors are nicely blended. Roll the clay into a ball and as you turn the ball around you should notice the colors on the ball. Manipulate the ball by pulling it apart and twisting again until you do see all the colors you have used.

A rolling pin or glass jar is needed to roll out the clay. The colors will blend with each other and you should end up with a nice marble effect. Roll the clay in different directions, always moving from the center to the edge and then back again. Once you have a nice size piece of marble clay, cut out a circle, you can use a round dish or glass to help get the perfect circle. Place the clay into a smaller oven-safe bowl. Placing your clay in a smaller bowl will allow it to take shape like a little dish.

Place the entire oven-proof bowl into the oven and bake according to the instructions on the clay package. Once the clay has baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool before you try and take it out of the oven-proof bowl. Turn the bowl over and your little dish will fall out easily.

Key Chain

These are great gifts for any friend that drives a car. Keychains are light and can be as colorful as you want. Let us try a round key chain with a white background and black shapes bent into white. Take the white which is going to be your foundation color and roll it out with a rolling pin or glass jar.
Once you have the thickness you want, cut out little black specs and place them on the white rolled-out clay. The specs can be different shapes and different sizes. Put as many or as few as you want on the white background.

Gently roll out the clay with the two colors. The black should not lose too much shape as you are rolling it but it will flatten the design a bit. A round object like a glass or cup can be pressed down on the clay to help you cut out the perfect circle. Once you are happy with the shape, make the hole for the jump ring. The hole should be big enough so that a jump ring can fit through it with a bit of space to move. Remember you are working with quite small pieces of clay so you can make a number of key chains for all your friends and family simultaneously.

Once your key chains are ready for the oven, place a tray that is lined with parchment paper, into a preheated oven, and baking time will be dependent on the instructions on the polymer clay package. After baking, you can remove the tray from the oven. Next, set the tray aside so that the clay can cool down. Once it is cold to the touch, use pliers to attach the jump rings.

Arm Bangles

Take a few pieces of clay using colors that complement each other, such as yellow and white, and black, and start rolling the three colors into long snakes. The thickness of the snake will depend on the thickness of the bangle that you are looking for. Once the snake is rolled out then for a different look, twist a few of the snakes and leave some that are straight. You can even roll two colors together. Simply join the two ends of the snake together and smooth out the joint so that it is not visible to the eye.

Once you have the desired shapes and sizes, pop them onto a baking tray that is covered with parchment paper and bake according to the instructions on the clay package. Once the bake is complete, put the tray aside and let it cool down. The arm bangles are now ready to be packaged and handed to your friends as beautiful gifts.

Soap Dish

If you know the color of a friend’s bathroom, then a clay soap dish would be a great gift to make. Take the colored clay that you want to use and stretch it out and roll it up. Because you are going to make a soap dish, you will need a good amount of clay. The clay needs to be softened enough so that it can be molded into a circle. Once the clay is a bit softer, place it on a flat surface and roll it out with a rolling pin or a glass jar. The clay should be a little thick after rolling it out. Once you have rolled the clay out, mold it onto the outside of a round bowl. This will help you get the shape of a round dish. Remember soap is fairly big so your dish needs to be able to hold the soap nicely without it protruding from the end of the dish.

Place the clay into an oven-safe bowl. Placing your clay in a bowl will allow it to take shape like a little dish. Next, place the entire oven-proof bowl into the oven and bake according to the instructions on the clay package. Remove from the heat source and allow to cool once the clay has baked fully before you try and take it out of the oven-proof bowl. Turn the bowl over and your soap dish is ready to be packaged and gifted to a friend.

Earrings

Take the polymer clay out of the package and warm it with your hands. The clay needs to be warm so that you can manipulate it easier. Cover a flat hard surface with parchment paper and roll some clay out on the surface with a rolling pin until you get the thickness that you want.

Once you have the desired thickness, then cut out the clay shape you are looking for. Cookie cutters are brilliant to use for making the cutest earrings. Try not to get any finger marks on the clay when pushing it out from the cookie cutter.

Make small holes on one side of the clay where your jump rings will be placed. Bake the clay as per the directions on the clay package. Different brands of clay required different baking times. After the clay has finished baking, let it cool down. Jump rings are the best to use. Simply use a pair of pliers to bend the rings open and closed after you have put them into the clay pieces.

Rainbow Magnets

you will need to buy different colors for the rainbow that you want to make. Once you remove the polymer clay from the package, work the clay with your hands to make it soft. Roll each color separately into thick ropes. They should not be too long. The ropes should be laid out next to each other which will create rainbow colors. Cut the strips into sections and bend them in a rainbow shape, using a knife to trim the edges. This process can be repeated as many times as you wish.

Once all your rainbows are formed, place them onto a baking sheet and place them into the preheated oven of 275 degrees Fahrenheit or 135 degrees Celsius. for no longer than 15 minutes. Allow the rainbows to cool and if you attach little magnets on the back with glue you will have the brightest magnets on your fridge.

If happy rainbows just aren’t your thing, then you can make magnets based on just about any topic or object you can imagine. Of course, one the favorite sources of inspiration for fridge magnets remains miniature food items.

Oh, what a wonderful world it is when we can use our imaginations to create art with easy polymer clay ideas. Modeling clay ideas and Sculpey clay ideas are only limited to how far the imagination can stretch. There are no ends to the possibilities of creating and no end to things to make with polymer clay. DIY polymer clay projects can be undertaken by anyone who wants to add color and a warm fuzzy feeling to a home or room. We hope that this article starts the wheels of your imagination turning so that it may even result in helping you start up your very own creative business right in the comfort of your own home. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Polymer Clay Toxic?

Polymer clay is non-toxic and safe for children. Pets try to eat anything, so it is a good idea to make sure that the pets are left outside when working on any polymer clay projects in the kitchen. If a child places the clay in their mouths, they will quickly remove it, as the polymer clay is not tasty at all, so fear that children could eat the clay should be put to rest, for the most part.

Is Polymer Clay Eco-Friendly?

You may feel a little discouraged after learning the answer to this question because sadly, this wonderful and versatile clay cannot be listed as an eco-friendly product. Why? Because polymer clay is made from different types of plastic. As we know, plastic such as PVC is unfortunately not eco-friendly.

Can Water Be Mixed into Polymer Clay?

You may want to try to revive dry or old clay by using water, unfortunately, this will not work. Any water mixed into the clay will cause your polymer clay projects to crumble and become brittle when dry. No water should be used while working on your polymer clay ideas. 

Can Polymer Clay Break Easily?

If you have not cured and baked the clay properly, then it will become brittle and can break. Some polymer clay brands are more susceptible to breaking than others. When looking at Sculpey clay ideas, more attention should be made when conditioning and curing the clay as these types of brands will break easier than others. The Sculpey Original and Sculpey III are brands to watch out for.

Der Beitrag Polymer Clay Ideas – Cute Oven-Bake Modelling Clay Projects erschien zuerst auf Your DIY, Crafting and Painting Guide.

Reasons for Making Jewelry Yourself

Jewelry-making is something that everyone can enjoy. You might be a grandmother who has her grandchildren over for the weekend and so you buy a jewelry making kit for them so that you can help teach them how to make jewelry at home (or whenever they visit you) which is an amazing pass-time and an even better bonding experience for you all. The whole family can get involved over the holidays and so much fun can be had while honing in new skills.

You might be someone with a flair for creative arts, and you have decided you want to start a career in jewelry making, and this is the best way to start your journey. There are jewelry-making kits for adults that are designed for every type of jewelry that you might be curious to learn how to make. This can empower the young adult, and give them some financial independence from their parents, also while developing an understanding for fair trade and working with their hands.

There are many reasons you would want to learn how to make jewelry, ranging from making your own to suit your unique style, to making jewelry as gifts or to sell. There is a kit to suit every style of jewelry that you wish to make, from a ring-making kit to an earring-making kit. All you need to have is the inspiration and the motivation to get started.

Popular Ideas for Jewelry Making

Pinterest is an amazing tool for all designers and DIY weekenders. There are endless ideas posted by so many people all around the world, so you will never be starved for inspiration. Regardless, we have some ideas for you that will cut out some time of having to research the different styles.

• Pearls are amazing because they can be dressed up or down, you do not have to make a string of pearls, but you can incorporate them into a bead pattern that will amaze everyone.
• Check out the charm section at your local bead store, there are so many designs and many of them have ornamental properties that are perfect, just as they are unaccompanied by other beads, or placed among a string of beads as a necklace. You could even make a charm bracelet for your child’s birthday present.
• You might prefer the neutral look, so you choose beads to suit that. There are also colorful beads that will look just as beautiful
• Make a set of earrings that do not match as a kind of contemporary asymmetrical design which is super fashionable right now

Instructions for Making Jewelry at Home

Now that you know all about the best jewelry-making kits, and the different brands that have manufactured them, you can begin to learn how to use them. We have laid out some basic guidelines that are useful in making various types of jewelry. There will be instructions included in most of the kits that you buy, but if there are no instructions, you can always find tutorials online, and those will help inspire some ideas on what to make with them as well.

Organize Your Materials

Most of the kits you buy will come inclusive of a bead box, which looks similar to a fishing tackle box that holds the bait. Each compartment neatly holds each type of bead in one space so that it is easier to see what you want to work with. It can be quite overwhelming when your bead box is unorganized, so we recommend keeping a handle on this as you work.

When you want to make some jewelry, we highly recommend making your workspace reflect your organized bead box and declutter anything that has nothing to do with jewelry-making. This will make it easier to find any stray beads that may escape your grip.

Jewelry Ideas

There are so many ideas all over the internet, and this can be slightly overwhelming because you might not be able to decide on which design you want to make first. Before you explore your thoughts with all the ideas you might find on Pinterest, you can check out the ideas that we have for you.

• Bracelets with personalized messages
• Pendant necklaces
• Wire earrings
• Rings with gemstones attached
• Earrings can have clasps that clip onto your ear instead of poking through pierced ears. (Not everyone has pierced ears)
• Charm bracelets
• People are even making mask-themed jewelry now

Measuring for Jewelry-Making

Measurements are important with all crafts. This is to make sure the jewelry you are making will fit the person it is designed for. There is nothing worse than having spent so much of your time and giving all your love to one item, and then it does not fit the finger it was meant to fit. Even a necklace needs to be measured properly, particularly with chokers, because every neck is not the same thickness.

Various Skills for Jewelry-Making

There are so many skills that require some fine motor abilities that you can learn when you start making your own jewelry. There are some basic things that you can practice before you attempt to make anything worth gifting or selling for that matter. They are as follows:

• Practice making different knots
• Practice threading a needle, or putting beads onto string
• Cutting wire with wire cutters
• Bending wire with pliers
• Open and close jump rings with pliers

Final Suggestions for Jewelry-Making

To make the experience of jewelry-making for beginners an easier process, we have some final suggestions that will help make sense of everything we have mentioned throughout this tutorial in a summarized form.

• Make sure the tools you use are high quality.
• Play around with all the styles until you find one that suits you.
• Practice makes your techniques perfect.
• If you want to make necklaces, make sure you purchase a necklace kit, and if you want to make a bracelet there are jewelry-making kits designed for that purpose. Make sure you buy one that is designed for the type of jewelry you want to make.
• Design your piece of jewelry before you start making it, that way, you will not get stuck at one point without knowing where to go with it next.
• Learn the terminology of jewelry-making so that beginning jewelry-making is not so confusing when you read the instructions, especially for jewelry-making for adults, because children will have their adult parents or guardians helping them through the instructions.
• Organize your beads and findings in bead boxes. These look like fishing bait boxes.
• Make sure the surface you are working on is decluttered before you start, and try to keep the space organized while you work by putting all equipment and materials back where you found them.
• Close the bead boxes in between taking out beads and working with them, so that in the case that you knock the bead box over, the beads are safe in the box and will not scatter all over the ground.
• Reuse beads from old pendants or earrings that you love.
• Buy all your materials used for jewelry-making in bulk because you will get better value for money.

What Makes a Good Jewelry-Making Kit for Beginners?

It will not help to look for a general jewelry-making kit, unless you want to fork out a lot of money. Each kit, though designed for beginners, is also designed to create a specific type of jewelry There are kits for making rings, necklaces, earrings, and more. When you buy the kit, make sure you have read every word on the packaging, because somewhere it will tell you what skill level is needed for the making of the jewelry. Make sure you have bought one that is meant for beginners if you are starting your jewelry-making journey now. Here are a few things that make a kit a great one for those beginner jewelers.

Jewelry Components

Regardless of what skill level you are equipped with, there are a few items of equipment that you require for any skill level, and should be included in every kit for beginners, as well as jewelry kits for adults who are at a higher level. They are as follows:

• Pliers with a round nose for making perfect circles with wire, and other reasons
• Pliers for chains
• Pliers with a flat nose for the crimps
• Pliers that are wire cutters

You may have been confused when we mentioned terms like crimps and findings. It is always recommended to be familiar with the jargon of whatever skill you are learning so that reading the instructions does not confuse you any further than the range of strings or wires will already do. Here is a short glossary of the jewelry-making terminology that is important to remember.

Findings

This is not the highlight of the piece of jewelry that you make, like the pendants and the beads. These are the connectors, clasps to close the item, hooks for earrings, jump rings, and so on. These will come in all different types of metals to suit the style of the item you are making.

Jump Ring

We mentioned the jump rings above, which are part of the findings. Jump rings are little circular shapes (rings) and they are used to connect to a chain or other clasps. Use a pair of jewelry pliers to open the ring and then loop it through whatever you are connecting, then close the ring securely.

Bail

This is like a detailed and larger jump ring that often comes with a beautiful design to suit the necklace you are making. They are typically used to connect a larger pendant to the chain, and the chain loops through the actual bail. Normally they are glued to the pendant, but the chain fits loosely through the top of the bail.

Clasps

These are also an essential part of a jewelry-making kit. There are various types of clasps, for example, a carabiner clasp, also called a “lobster clasp” as it resembles a lobster claw. This is the part that you open and close to fit your head, wrist, ankle, or whatever part of your body that the jewelry was made for. There are two parts to the clasp. The one that opens, and the other that loops through. The closing part is what secures it so that it does not fall off.

Crimps

If you do not want a continuous line of beads, you can use crimps to secure beads in sections along the string you are making the jewelry with. They look like tiny metal beads that you squish together tightly to hug the thread, and the bead will not be able to pass the crimp.

As we said, this is a short glossary, which is ideal for beginners, because most kits will not go into too much detail too soon. You can buy kits that are more advanced once you have perfected the beginner’s skills. Then you can start to learn the rest of the terms that come with jewelry-making. Each kit will come inclusive of various items that will suit the specific types of jewelry they are designed to make. Make sure that you study the box, and read the packaging thoroughly because it will explain what is included in the box. But generally speaking, there should be some standard jewelry-making items that you will find in almost every box, like chains, string, wire, or cord.

Selecting a Top-Notch Jewelry-Making kit

If you are buying a jewelry-making kit for children who have never made a piece of jewelry in their lives, the best kits for them can be filled with plastic beads and other less-harmful tools and equipment. These are often quite cheap in comparison to kits that are designed for adults, even if they are beginners themselves. When you are buying a kit for an adult beginner jeweler, there are a few things that you must look out for that set them apart from a high-quality one to a low-quality one.

If you want to expand your skills towards a more professional one, then quality is important to consider. The beads will be made of better materials, and this is what makes the jewelry seem like it was made by a professional.

What Metal is Best?

Some people are not as fortunate as those who can buy any old earrings from any shop, no matter the quality of the material it is made with. Those people are lucky indeed because there are the sensitive-skinned folk who are limited with what comes into contact with their skin. These hypoallergenic people will only be able to wear metals like silver or surgical steel, and if the metal contains traces of nickel or copper, they might end up with swollen ear lobes, or rashes on their skin.

Various Jewelry-Making Kits for Beginners

The jewelry-making kits that are designed for the professional jeweler are not ideal for a beginner to buy because there will be so many more tools than what the beginner jewelry maker is accustomed to. The first thing of a newbie in the world of jewelry-making is to first learn the basic skills, and then you can expand your knowledge from there. The professional kits include all the extra tools and not the basic ones.

A beginner’s jewelry-making kit is more about the pretty things like beads and charms. This can be great for someone who is starting and their idea list in their head is not as big as someone who has been making jewelry for a long time. This might seem limiting to the adult beginner jeweler who has a specific design in mind, and the kit they purchased only has certain types of beads. You can avoid that by making sure the beads in the kit are something you want.

Cost of Jewelry-Making Kits

Not everyone has the luxury of being able to just buy any jewelry-making kit without even a glance at the price tag. Budgets are very big for some people, or should we say small? That is not a serious matter, because there are jewelry-making kits that will cater to those who are aware of how much they are spending. If you manage to save up a bit, the more expensive kits are typically better quality and that means that they will last longer, and help you create more professional-looking jewelry. You expect to spend about 15 to 30 dollars for a jewelry-making kit for beginners, but that is one that is not as costly. A kit that is of a medium quality will cost about 30 to 60 dollars, but the more expensive kits will cost you up to, and sometimes over 100 dollars.

Recommended Jewelry-Making Kits

Buying any old jewelry-making kit will simply not do. There are so many different types of jewelry that you could be making, and each kit is typically designed to cater to making a specific type of jewelry. If you were to buy a bracelet-making kit, but you wanted to make a pair of earrings, you will encounter some difficulties when you start making them. There are a few considerations to keep in mind before you buy the kit. They are as follows:

• How much patience do you have?
• Are you willing to spend a lot of money, or are you on a tight budget?
• How skilled are you?
• What is your preferred type of jewelry that you want to make?
• What type of metal do you want the jewelry to be made of?

We recommend that you do not skip the beginner’s kits if you have never made a piece of jewelry before. If you were to skip the set designed for beginners, then you might find yourself floundering in tools, and stumped as to what function they serve. To prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed, and thus avoiding using the kit altogether, then we recommend making sure you buy a kit that is designed for your capabilities. Here are a few examples of brands that have manufactured some epic jewelry-making kits. We have even included some advantages and disadvantages that you might experience when working with them.

Recommended Beginner’s Jewelry-Making Kit: PP OPOUNT Deluxe Jewelry-Making Supplies Kit

This is the ideal kit that has been designed for beginners. It is wonderfully kitted out with all the basic pieces of equipment to kick-start your journey and make it a smooth introduction to the world of making jewelry at home. There are many useful things included besides some handy tools. This includes the string you need to make the item, as well as 750 different types of beads that you will be able to play around with and make various bead pattern designs with.

That is not all! There are also more than 500 findings like the crimps, clasps, and jump-rings that will help you with the most basic tasks of jewelry-making. Lastly, this kit by PP OPOUNT is equipped with wire of various gauges, needles for threading the beads easily, and a beading mat so that when beads drop, they do not go flying.

Recommended Ring Making Kit: DEUXPER Sandalwood Ring Craft Kit

Wooden rings may not be the same as when they are made of expensive metals like silver and gold. But they have a sort of rustic charm about them, and they are much cheaper, which is great for beginners who have not honed in their skills yet for welding rings like a real professional. Deuxper has created a beginner user-friendly kit that promises to make a minimal mess, so long as you promise to as well.

You will get up to five different types of wooden rings with various textures, and this adds an element of versatility to what you can create. Then, when you look further, there are also some sheets of sandpaper that have different grits so the different rings. You will also be equipped with a circle tool for measuring the ring, as well as to measure the different sized rings.

Recommended Jewelry Necklace Kit: MODDA Deluxe Jewelry-Making Kit

This kit by MODDA is the deluxe version for all beginners. What makes it amazing is that you are not limited to making one type of jewelry, but you could make a necklace, a bracelet, and even an earring if you wanted. That way, you can make a matching set for your friend’s birthday present. This is a top-quality kit that can keep you entertained for a long time!

The beads are high quality and vibrantly full of color. If you feel like you might get confused with all the bits and bobs that go together, then rest assured, there is a manual with instructions that will explain everything that you need to know in a step-by-step process. Not only that, but the instructions also come with videos that give you visual representations and tutorials on how to make various pieces of jewelry. There are up to fifteen video tutorials.

Recommended Earring-Making Kit: EU TENG HAO Natural Gemstone Beads Kit

So many women these days are adorned with gemstones. This might not be a new phenomenon because we have been using gemstones as jewelry pieces since the dawn of civilization. But it is new for us to have kits for beginners where gemstones are involved. This kit by EU TENG HAO is equipped with about 550 gemstones of irregular shapes. Not only that, but there are stone beads that you can thread string through. You can expect to find a mixture of amethyst, rose quartz, kallait, fluorite, agate, and other popular stones.

Besides the gemstones, there are other important ingredients to make the earrings of your dreams, like the hooks that loop through your ear lobes. Regarding the findings, you will find all the usual findings that you need to make an earring, and there will be about 50 of each type of finding. These will all be organized into a plastic bead box that is included in the kit. This makes it easy to transport with you many times.

Recommended Bracelet Kit: FASHION ANGELS DIY Alphabet Bead Bracelet-Making Kit

Almost everyone has memories of having a bracelet that spells their names, or their best friend’s names that they swapped as friendship bracelets. Fashion Angels have created an amazing bracelet-making it that has all the alphabet letters made from plastic beads. This is a stunning kit that entertains children for hours, and it is safe for them to work with at the same time. They could even serve as baby shower gifts with the new baby’s name.

There are up to 1500 beads in this kit, and this includes various-sized beads of each letter in the alphabet. They are not all plastic either; some are made of metal and some are even shaped like doughnuts. You can expect to make up to 230 different bracelets with this kit.

There you have it. A bunch of knowledge on jewelry-making. Now you can go from learning how to make jewelry at home, to practicing and turning that knowledge into actual skills. We hope you found this tutorial on jewelry making for beginners helpful. Now it is up to you to go out and buy the best jewelry making kits for the style that you are itching to create!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Jewelry-Making Kits for Adults and Kids?

A jewelry-making for beginners kit does not always mean the kit is for kids; it can also be a beginner’s jewelry-making kit for an adult. A jewelry-making kit designed for children will be more basic and won’t include anything that could be dangerous for a child to use unsupervised. The adult kit will be a bit more complicated and include far more equipment and instructions.

What Kind of Pliers Do You Need for Jewelry-Making?

Pliers are an essential part of jewelry-making. They are often bought individually, but they are available in sets that cater for a wide variety of functions. Some manufacturers have included pliers in their ring-making kits, or earring-making kits, or their necklace kits. This is typically just the flat nose pliers, which is the most useful type of plier for jewelry-making.

Does a Jewelry Kit for Adults Include Beaded Designs?

When you purchase a jewelry kit for adults and children, there are instructions included that are provided by the manufacturer. These will explain how to use each item included in the kit, as well as some examples of patterns you can make with beads.

Are There Different Sizes of Metal Wires for Jewelry-Making?

If you are making earrings, we recommend using a wire with a gauge of 18. If you are making bracelets or even a necklace, then wire with a gauge that is between 18 and 22 will be suitable.

What Thread Is Best for Beading?

Thread tends to fray after a few beads have been looped through it. This can be frustrating, to say the least, so we would recommend using a nylon thread, and if that is not available, you can coat your string in beeswax and that will keep all the threads of the string together. Better yet, we recommend coating your nylon string with beeswax for the best string to work with beads.

Der Beitrag How to Make your Own Jewelry at Home with Jewelry Kits erschien zuerst auf Your DIY, Crafting and Painting Guide.

What Is the Meaning of Creativity?

Before we begin looking into how to be creative, let us first learn what the definition of creativity is. How does one define creativity? Creativity can be explained as something a person creates that is unique and original, using various skills and talents. It can be seen as new ways of taking an idea and then bringing those ideas into reality.

Just like there are various personality types, there are different creative types. Humans are multifaceted, and we cannot all be placed into a single box or category. We are not going to go too much into this topic now, but we are going to quickly mention the various creative types below.

According to Arne Dietrich (2004), a well-known psychology professor, there are four main types of creativity. Creativity is related to being either conscious and intellectual or cognitive decisions or can be achieved emotionally. Creativity can also be something deliberate or it can be spontaneous.

• Cognitive and deliberate: This type of creative thinking is done on purpose and usually involves some work over some time.
• Deliberate and Emotional: When you need some time to think about something, but instead of using knowledge and skills, emotional creativity is activated. Some would call this an “a-ha” type of moment.
• Spontaneous and Emotional: When the conscious mind is at rest, and you simply go with the flow as some artists do.
• Spontaneous and Cognitive: Moments where you are busy with something but seem stuck and cannot move forward. You take a break and from seemingly nowhere, you come up with a solution.

Of course, the whole process is a lot more involved, but you can see how creativity can be a little more complex than at first glance. Ultimately, you can view creativity as being something that requires a measure of talent and skill, but it can also be something you can learn. 

Next, let us move on to some ideas of how to get creative.

How to Find Your Creativity

Many people have raw talent when it comes to creativity that involves things like painting, drawing, or dancing. However, they still need to practice and learn to improve on their creativity, which is where everyone else has the opportunity to also grow and learn. You do have ways to be creative and most of them are quite simple exercises. For example, reading, listening to music, or exercising regularly can help you with being creative. Below are a few more ideas on how to find your creativity.

Simple Creative Exercises

How to be creative? You do have a variety of exercises you can do to help you with creativity, and they also help you to relax. Doodling has a way to release our subconscious as we draw or doodle without any structure or purpose involved. Since there is no pressure to produce anything and your mind is at rest, which provides an opportunity for other ideas to come to the surface. Doodling has many other benefits as well including helping to improve memory, processing emotions, and helping to learn more efficiently. You can try to keep a sketchbook handy, so when you feel stressed or even bored, you can doodle away. 

Besides doodling with pen and paper, you can also paint, create collages, or even go outside to draw in the sand. Below you will find more exercises you can try.

Crafting Something

When making something with your hands, you always have a feeling of accomplishment once your project is finished. Crafting or doing activities like sewing, candle making, calligraphy, cooking, or any other craft, can help to improve creativity. Simply doing something creative and easy, is a way to get the brain active and inspired. If you are stuck on ideas, you can simply start by coloring. There are many printouts or books you can purchase. You can experiment with colored pencils or pens and just have fun. The point is not to focus too much on results, but to have fun with the process.

Reading

Reading can help you be more creative. There are many fictional as well as non-fiction books available. Within the fiction category, there are many other types of books from mystery to science fiction and fantasy. You also do not have to sit for hours, simply read a few minutes every day. 

You could also join a book club or become a member of a library.

Write Something

Writing flash fiction or short stories means you only need about 100 hundred words. You will need to come up with a beginning, a middle as well an end of a story with only a limited number of words. You can join online communities that involve flash fiction, where you get to share your work with others as well. This exercise can help you to learn how to focus on what is important and to represent complex ideas in a few words.

The Circle Test

This is similar to doodling; however, you are required to draw 30 circles and from these circles create different drawings. To keep things interesting, you must do the challenge in about one minute. This exercise can be done, again and again, so you can see if you can break your own record. The idea is to come up with multiple ideas in a short space of time and is a way to boost creativity. 

You can also print out the 30 circles to save some time.

How to Get Creative Listening to Music

When working, many like to listen to music. This can help to boost overall concentration and works best while listening to classical music. Singing and any music with words may be more disturbing than other choices. However, be it classical, contemporary, or jazz, you should find whatever works for you.

Online Games

There are some quite complex games you can play, and many of them are interactive and can help with building creativity and improving problem-solving skills among other benefits. You can solve puzzles, or even find games which you can dance to or play tennis with. However, it is best to avoid any games that take up too much of your time and you land up sitting for too long. 

So, it is about choosing wisely for this category.

Allow Yourself to Daydream

Daydreaming can be a way to plan, learn and try to understand the world around us. How do you feel when you daydream? It should come naturally, and you should be free to think about anything and go anywhere in your mind. It is said that daydreaming is a good way to improve problem-solving skills and is a way to be more creative and bring about new ideas.

Most times, daydreaming comes naturally when we are not busy, for example, when going for walk. Daydreaming should be something positive, so you should not be focused on worries and other negative thoughts. You could set some time aside each day to purposefully daydream. This can be done by finding a quiet spot, where you can just relax or do an easy activity like knitting or take the time when gardening. Let your mind and ideas flow, and again, you can write your ideas down.

How to Be Creative Using Commute Time

Many drive to work, while others take public transport. This can be stressful, and you might be tempted to take a nap on the train. However, you can use this time to listen to something like a thought-provoking podcast. If you are not driving in, you can read a book or write things down. You can even do people watching and come up with various stories for each person. 

There are quite a few ways to make this time count, instead of simply letting it go by.

Practice Mindfulness

You can become more creative by being more observant and mindful. Try to notice things around you more and do not form preconceived ideas about people you just met. The idea is to be curious and open-minded, without stereotyping people. Keep curiosity alive and open yourself to new opportunities, discover new things, which can all spark creativity and develop the imagination.

Children are always curious, wanting to find out about everything around them. However, like many things, this can grow less as we get older. You can stimulate curiosity by simply asking the question why? You can also do simple things, for example, if you come across an unknown name or word, go and find out who or what the word means. Do not allow disappointments to dampen your mood or problems and accidents to annoy you. Sometimes, accidents can be a solution to something else altogether. A well-known example is the discovery and invention of penicillin.

Cleaning and Organizing

Maybe you are not too keen on organizing or cleaning, however, once you get into it and finish a task, it does feel good. Organizing a space can be a way for your mind to relax, and to help you focus on other ideas or just to let your mind wander. For some, too much clutter or stuff lying around can be a hindrance to creativity. The correct amount of clutter can be helpful for creative purposes. 

However, this differs from person to person, so you will have to find out what works for you.

More Interesting Ways to Improve Creativity

If you want to get good at something, you need to learn more about the subject. So, if you want to learn how to paint, you might want to consider going on a course or reading books and watching videos on the subject. Get inspiration from others, for example, visit an art gallery or go to a museum. Here are more ideas for you to consider.

Get in Touch With Your Inner Child

Something as simple as becoming more child-like can help to nurture creativity. Having children makes this a little easier. Spend some time with them, play with Legos, build a puzzle together, or participate in an imaginary tea-time arty. Otherwise, you can simply dance to music, color in a picture, or simply laugh. 

Playing helps your mind relax so your subconscious can work, which is why everyone needs some time off from work.

Experience More

More creative people tend to be more open to diverse experiences. Do not allow fear to prevent you from trying different things. Not only can this help you be more creative, but it can also help improve confidence and keeps your mind active.

New experiences help to cultivate new ideas, and it is said that those who make an effort to experience new things live healthier and happier lives. You could also try a new class in something you do not know anything about. This can help to challenge and stimulate creative ideas. You can also consider taking photos or journaling your experiences, so these can become an inspiration for the future.

There are many different creative courses you can take from art to music lessons or photography and lots more. These all have different ways of approaching problems, and this can then be applied to other areas of your work. Traveling and experiencing new tastes, sights, and smells can also stimulate the mind. Experiencing other cultures can also be a wonderful way to see how others live and gain a different perspective on things.

Prompt New Ideas

You can help yourself think up new ideas by following prompts. For example, some games or challenges involve word association. You or someone comes up with a word and then you must come up with other words that connect with it. 

Many writing and art challenges involve this type of idea, where there is a prompt list of words and artists must then draw anything associated with these words.

Share Knowledge

When learning something new, it can be beneficial to share your ideas. This can help you to retain a lot more of the information and you can also maybe generate even more creative ideas. You can either explain it to someone else like a family member or even a colleague or use your imagination to go over something in your head. You can even create a video that you can post online.

Take Time to Brainstorm

Creativity can sometimes occur spontaneously, but in many cases, it takes some time to develop. So, to help with being creative, take some time out each day to brainstorm or just think about things. You can visit a quiet place, where your mind can wander freely without interruption. Remember to write all your thoughts and feelings down in a notebook, this is where journaling comes into play. 

It does not have to necessarily be about brainstorming a specific idea, it can just be to disengage and get away from all distractions.

Form a Creativity Network

Working by yourself can become boring, so becoming part of a group or network of like-minded people can be rewarding. You can find inspiration from them and learn new things, while they can also learn from you or provide advice to improve your own ideas.

Generate Ideas

When trying to come up with ideas, try to write as many as you can down. The ideas can be anything, both good and bad, or even silly. Once you have all these ideas down, you can go through them, and you may just find the one idea you need, and then you can refine it. This helps so that you do not overthink each idea as you go, eventually only coming up with one or two ideas that are not even good ones.

Another way to be creative using this technique is to ask a lot of questions. Rather look at it from all angles, until you come up with a more accurate question. To achieve this, you already have a question. You then take this same question and ask 10 more variations of the question. You might find a much better idea than your original one by doing this.

Another way to generate new ideas is to take something you have made or an idea and use it or come up with ideas that are opposite to the original intention. This can help you to consider new angles and different ideas. You can use some of the ideas below to help.

• Take some common items and see how many ways you can use them. For example, how many ways can a paper clip be used? Give yourself a time limit to produce as many suggestions as possible.
• You can try to use free word associations to generate new words. To make it more challenging, you can try and come up with a different association for each new word. For example, take the word “mud” and maybe someone comes up with “stick” as in “stick in the mud”.
• As mentioned before, journaling can play a role in being creative. You can set a time every day to freely write down any ideas or thoughts that come to mind.

Another technique that helps with the forming of new ideas is to fuse different ideas. Bring together things that are not normally related. As an example, you can try writing a story that is based on three words. On one side you have three words related to each other, for example, food, eat, and stomach. It is fairly simple to form a story around these words. On the other hand, you can have three completely unrelated words, for example, shoe, earth, and cat. 

Which one of these do you think will have more creative ideas and stories?

Learn a New Language

Being taught another language is not easy, especially if you are older. However, learning a new language can help to stimulate the mind and can help you see things a little differently. It can expose you to new cultures and ways of thinking. Therefore, it can help you to come up with more creative ideas because you are being exposed to different and original ways of thinking.

Avoid Seeking Perfection

When trying to be creative, are you also trying to create something perfect? Perfection is something that you cannot reach, and it is something that can cause you to be stuck or unable to move forward. The underlying cause is not perfectionism in itself, it is the fear underneath that inhibits progress. We have all had that nagging thought in our minds that what we are doing is just not good enough.

The best thing to do is not to compare yourself to anyone else and whatever ideas you come up with, if you are happy with them, allow them to grow and develop and take their own shape.

Perfectionism only takes away; it does not allow you to grow naturally, and you may be forever unhappy with your achievements as you seek to fulfill unrealistic goals. However, the desire for excellence is not a bad thing as this can be seen as a simple belief that you can improve by putting in the effort. So, try to be true to yourself and put in the effort to achieve your goals, which should also be a great help for being more creative.

Lifestyle Changes to Boost Creativity

As with many things, you might require a change to get the creative juices flowing better. This means trying to get out there and socialize with different people, which can help you get a better perspective. Get involved with new pursuits and interests or go to events to broaden your horizons. Sometimes, this can be challenging, but well worth the effort in the long run.

Get Enough Sleep

Many of you will know how it feels if you do not get enough sleep. You feel sluggish and irritable, and it is not a good place to be in if you want to be productive and creative. You want to make sure you sleep enough, so you can feel rested and recharged. 

Getting a good night’s sleep is also important for your brain and mind, as you process a lot of things while you sleep.

Exercising Is Important

Whether you walk, run, cycle, or go to the gym, exercising is important for a healthy body and mind. Not only that but engaging in exercise can help you to change your focus and maybe even help you to come up with new ideas. Getting moving improves blood flow to the brain and can bring more mental clarity and makes you feel good. Exercise can also be another way of socializing, or you can choose to have some alone time with your thoughts. There are also many unique and fun exercises you can do. For example, there is line dancing, trampoline exercises, archery, bungee classes, and horse riding. You do not have to stick to the conventional exercise methods but try to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Eating Right

Since you are exercising and sleeping properly, you should also be eating healthy foods. Food is what provides you with energy and can help to boost brain power, which then has a direct effect on creativity. A healthy diet that incorporates all the required nutrients is essential. So, make sure to get all your vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants in. 

A little bit of ice cream or chocolate now and again can also help in their own way, just make sure not to overdo it, every good thing in moderation.

Limit Phone Time

Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms can be a distraction, scrolling for five minutes can become 30 minutes too quickly. Even having to answer emails can take up a lot of time. So, first, you can limit your time on social media and maybe only go on at a certain during the day. This can help stop distractions and procrastinating during the rest of the day.

You could also do a type of detox, get away from all devices and the television. This is a way to help relax the mind, but if you do get bored, it is a way to stimulate the mind to find new ways to occupy the time. This is also a great time to simply let the mind wander without any distractions.

Take Breaks During a Work Day

Sometimes, you can struggle with a problem, and it seems that the harder you try to solve a problem, the further away a solution seems to be. Then, while taking a shower, or while driving, you suddenly come up with an idea. Taking breaks throughout the day can help your mind relax a little, but it can still be working on an idea without being overwhelmed with information. These can become one of those “eureka” moments.

The modern world can be extremely noisy, so from time to time, it is also a good idea to take a noise break.

Go somewhere quiet, take a walk where there are green open spaces and trees. You can also locate a spot to meditate in. You sometimes do not realize how noisy life is until you find yourself in a quiet place. No traffic or hooting cars, phones, people shouting, or the general hum of every day. Enjoy the moment of silence and allow your brain to work.

Laugh More

Laughing more has a lot of benefits and one of them is helping to improve creativity. Laughing can help to relax you, which can then help you to think more clearly and provide an opportunity for inspiration. Adults tend to lose this as they grow older and generally laugh under 20 times per day versus a couple of hundred times a day as a child. Having a sense of humor or an upbeat perspective on things can help you to see things differently.

Getting Closer to Nature

Getting closer to nature is said to help improve mood and has the added benefit of helping with creativity. You can take walks outside, however, there are also a few things you can do to bring nature indoors. Hang up photographs or paintings, bring in plants, and make sure there is plenty of natural light instead of glaring fluorescent lighting. Bring in more natural materials, for example, less use of plastic chairs and rather bring in items like wooden chairs.

We can all agree that creativity is something everyone has. Some may have a little talent involved, but overall, being creative is something we can learn and practice. Even if you have creative talent, you must nurture it. Some of the ways to be creative are simple, but many require effort and time to develop into something great.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Creativity a Learned Skill?

Many people have a talent for being creative, however, this is only a small part, and being creative can require a lot of hard work to hone any skills needed. So, yes you can learn to be more creative if you put the effort in.

Are There Techniques to Help Creativity?

There are many ways to be creative, some are simple like journaling, doodling, or coloring. Reading, listening to music, or simply daydreaming can be how to find your creativity. Other methods can be more challenging and require more effort, for example, learning a new language.

What Is the Importance of Creativity?

Yes, creativity is important for helping to solve complex problems and to be innovative in doing so. Without creativity, one can become closed-minded and dull. Creativity helps us broaden our perspective and allows us to see things differently. So, it is a way we can come up with new and inventive ideas, to learn and grow more effectively.

Der Beitrag How to Be Creative – Your Guide to Being Creative erschien zuerst auf Your DIY, Crafting and Painting Guide.