Crafting is becoming more and more popular. People are looking for easy crafts for mindful, screen-free activities that are fun, creative, and affordable to pass the time. The good news is that you don’t need fancy materials or years of experience to enjoy making something with your hands. With a few basic supplies, you can try many simple projects at home that can help you to relax after work or over weekends, make quality time with the family, or enjoy the dreaded loadshedding hours!
Ideas to try:
Paper Flowers or Origami
Cut, fold and layer colourful paper into beautiful blooms or traditional animal shapes. With just plain printer paper or even recycled paper or junk mail, you can explore this ancient art. It brings along skills for concentration and perseverance.Recycled Glass Jar Lanterns
Transform reusable glass jars into cosy lanterns using paint, string or tissue paper. Perfect for the stoep, backyard or as thoughtful handmade gifts. Jacobs and Nescafé Gold are the perfect local jars to collect – don’t forget to ask your family to collect for you too.Painted Rocks
Collect smooth stones and turn them into miniature artworks to decorate your garden. Using the popular dot-art style, chopsticks or even toothpicks can be used to paint mandalas. Remember that it is illegal to take anything from SANParks or Table Mountain National Park, and on some beaches, there are coastal bylaws that apply.Slime or Clay Creations
A hit with kids (and secretly fun for adults too). It’s easy to make 3D figures using simple air dry clay. You can make your own air-dry clay at home using kitchen ingredients like flour, salt and water.Handmade Greeting Cards
A little bit of coloured paper or leftover poster board, Pritt Stick or sellotape and kokis go a long way to making heartfelt homemade cards. Handmade cards are far more personal than picking up an (expensive!) shop-bought card.Upcycled Tin Planters
Clean tin cans, paint them and use them as quirky indoor or outdoor planters. Again, your coffee drinking friends are going to be useful as the big Koffiehuis and Ricoffy tins allow for bigger planters. If you have a small garden or a few houseplants or cacti, this is a very affordable project, as you can propagate little cuttings from your existing plants. This is great way to add more green touches to your home or as gifts.DIY Beaded Bracelets
Surely you remember spending time beading and weaving bracelets as a teen? Beads, elastic and a touch of imagination are all you need to make simple jewellery.Nature Prints
Leaves, flowers or textured objects (think bubble wrap, foil etc.) can be dipped into paint to stamp designs onto paper or fabric. A quick way to connect creativity with nature. You can also cut stamps out of potatoes.Pressed Flowers
Press flowers or leaves from your garden and use them for cards, scrapbooking or framed art. All you need is some newspaper and a heavy book or weight to press and dry the flowers for 2-3 weeks.
Why Try Simple Crafts First?
Easy crafts are a perfect starting point with low investment and big reward. It also doesn’t take much forethought, so if the mood to craft suddenly takes you, you can ride that mood with household objects. You can gain confidence, explore different materials, and discover what kind of crafting you enjoy. Once you’ve caught the crafting bug, you might want to dive deeper into painting, pottery or more advanced workshops.
Crafting isn’t just about the finished product; in fact, it is more about slowing down, creating with intention, and enjoying the process, occupying just enough of your brain power to cease thinking about chores, work and other stressors. Whether you’re making paper flowers or potted plants, every project is a chance to learn something new and most importantly, have fun.
👉 Ready to take it further? Explore our Craft Workshops and discover guided sessions that help you turn a fun hobby into a lasting skill.