Crafts aren’t just for kids!

As a busy student who is always looking for great ways to relieve stress without adding more screen time to my day, crafting provides me with a fun and fascinating way to express my creativity. Crafting allows me to enjoy a new hobby and personalize my living space. Here are some craft ideas you can explore that are accessible, affordable, and amazing.

Funky Tie Dye

Don’t know what to do with some of your old T-shirts? Or do you have a great thrift find that could use some spicing up? Easily attainable and full of creativity, tie-dying is a perfect way to spend your afternoon. With tie dying, you have complete creative freedom, starting with your perfect choice of colors and patterns. You can go complex, trying your hand with the more complicated, multi-colored patterns, or play it safe with the traditional styles. If you have no idea where to begin, YouTube has plenty of tutorials to help you express your creativity!

The fabrics, dyes, and post-care are all central components to a successful tie-dye job. Make sure to do your research and utilize the resources that best fit your aspirations. Remember, tie-dying is all about experimenting and having fun. Don’t be afraid to try different techniques, colors, and patterns to create your unique designs. Supplies can easily be found at your nearest craft store, such as Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. Whether you buy a tie-dye kit or purchase the supplies individually, the opportunities to create fun moments and mementos are endless.

Friendship Bracelets

Made with colorful hues of embroidery thread, friendship bracelets are the perfect craft for those trying to create a meaningful gift for a friend, a new accessory, or even a decorative keychain! These bracelets are often created by tying and knotting various strands in a specific order to construct a stunning result of beautiful color and impressive skill. Creating a friendship bracelet does require attention to detail and plenty of time, but there is no rush on a perfect bracelet!

Since my days in summer camp, I have been an avid fan of friendship bracelet-making. In my spare moments, I turn to the unfinished bracelet attached to my water bottle or desk, allowing me to work with my hands and gain time for myself. It has been a great way to work out anxious thoughts and take a moment for myself, and I end up with a fun addition to either mine or my friends’ accessories.

To begin the creative process, you first must gather the embroidery thread, which can easily be found in various craft stores. The choice of what design to implement comes next. You can explore more traditional styles or create your own unique design. Pinterest and YouTube have helpful templates and videos that allow for a complete understanding of each process. It may seem confusing at first, but with practice and concentration, the bracelets will begin to take shape! The more you work, the better it will be.

Adult Coloring Books

Do you ever miss the feeling of sitting on the porch on a summer day, a coloring book in one hand and a marker in the other? Adult coloring books have gained popularity as a relaxing and creative activity for ALL ages. They are meant to provide a stress-relieving experience tailored to different interests. A few options are popular movies, gardenscapes, animals, or even quotes or verses. There is something for everyone who wishes to get back to that childlike wonder!

Adult coloring books offer more complicated designs, incorporating fine details that satisfy attention to detail and a steady hand. There are also variations in adult coloring, such as customizable postcards, calendars, journals, and even digital coloring apps. So, there is something to satisfy everyone. You can do this activity alone or with friends-- the desired outcome being to relax and enjoy the process. Coloring, especially as an adult, can allow one to be present and in the moment, encourage mindfulness, and offer an outlet for creative expression. Coloring is my favorite way to unwind and, hopefully, you’ll love it too!

Customized Tote Bags

This craft is a favorite for me and my friends; painting tote bags is a practical and creative way to spend time together and personalize a useful accessory. We usually head out to Red Barn, paintbrushes in hand, and paint as the sun goes down! It has been a therapeutic and expressive way to design my own piece of art while promoting eco-friendly habits and a cost-effective alternative.

Begin by choosing a suitable tote material -- both cotton canvas and polyester are good options. Have a draft in mind when choosing your material-- some fabrics accept paint better than others. Pinterest can be useful for picking a design, giving you inspiration and ideas you would’ve never thought of! Sketch out your design, or if you are a daredevil -unlike me- don’t. After that, the process is easy… paint away! Allow the paint to dry, add final details, and voila! An art piece that combines functionality and artistry with your own personalized touch.

College can feel like it’s going at the speed of light. This makes it hard to stop and embrace those impactful yet fleeting moments. For me, spending parts of my week in crafts, whether it’s tie-dying, friendship bracelets, coloring books, or painting tote bags, gives me a moment for myself where I can slow down and reflect while expressing my creativity. If you are in search of the same, I hope you consider giving these crafts a try!

Be Well, Auburn!