Craft Ideas for Adults – Fun and Creative Art Projects for Adults

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Some might say they do not have a creative bone in their body, but we say you just have to find the right kind of adult crafts that you enjoy. Whether it is for yourself or as a gift, creating or restoring something can be fun and rewarding. You might not have a clue where to start and need a few craft ideas for adults. Well, then you are in the right place because we have brought together a few easy DIY crafts for adults you are going to love.

Crafts for Adults

Arts and crafts are not only something for the kids to do, but crafting is also beneficial for those of us who are a bit older. There are many positive benefits of doing arts and crafts for adults. Research has shown that crafting can help to increase memory and can help people who suffer from anxiety, depression, and other health issues. Before we get into all the different crafts for adults, here are a few more benefits to consider.

• Relieves stress: Crafting helps to focus your mind and you stop thinking too much about all the stresses in life. Engaging in adult crafts can also be a social event, helping to alleviate loneliness and depression.
• Crafting stimulates the brain: This is great for any age, but more so for those who are getting a little older. Helps to encourage problem-solving and creativity.
• Boosting confidence: When you create something, it is a good feeling and can create a sense of accomplishment.

Next, we are going to have a look at various crafts for adults. Now, there are many skilled and challenging art projects for adults and some take years of practice to get right. However, we are looking at more easy crafts for adults, crafts you can do over the weekend. So, is our collection of fun DIY crafts for adults, that everyone can try.

Recycling Items and Crafts for Adults

We all want to do our part in saving the planet, especially from all the plastic items that seem to be building up all over the world. What better way than to recycle items in the home and repurpose them so that they do not land on the garbage heap. These are also the easiest types of crafts as you already have most of your supplies.

Coffee Beans

If you love the smell of coffee, why not make it into a table centerpiece? This is an extremely simple idea; all you need is some coffee beans and a vase. Fill the vase with the coffee beans and there you have your centerpiece that acts as an air freshener as well. This idea can also be functional, as you can use it to hold your pencils or make-up brushes.

Coffee beans are not the only item you can use, consider other forms of dried beans, rice, marbles, small shells, and gemstones.

To add contrast, you may even want to try and layer your coffee beans and rice. You could also add in a tea light or flower. Some coffee beans in a jar with a candle can make a nice, simple gift for someone. If you do use the beans, do not forget that once the ground coffee is done, you can still use the leftover grounds as fertilizers or even add them to a body scrub.

Wine Corks

If you love wine, you can easily make a collection of wine corks. The cork can then be used in many ways to create something new. An easy idea would be to place the cork on a stick, you can then write any herb or flower on the cork and use it as a garden marker. You can also use corks to create many other items.

• Make into a keychain
• Create placeholders
• Decorative items

• Bath mat
• Cork placemat or trivet
• Coaters

Clothes Pins

There are many things you can create with clothespins. Wooden ones are especially good as you can paint them as well. This falls under easy crafts for adults, and all you need is a small tin and some wooden clothespins. You can keep the look natural or paint the clothespins for added effect. Simply place or pin the clothespin all around the edge of the tin. The top will be open, or the lid removed.

You can either make this into a candle holder, or you can place a succulent plant inside.

Another simple idea is to use clothespins to hold photos. You can get an old open frame, to which you attach some nails strategically. Then use string or some wire to create a line across the frame. The clothespins will then hold the photos in place on the string. You could also simply attach a magnet to the clothespin, which can then be placed on the fridge with a photo. Other ideas for clothes pins include the following.

• Coasters
• Cardholders
• Clothespin wreath
• Garden markers
• Create various shapes as wall art

Plastic Bottles

Plastic bottles are something everybody has in the home at some time, and most of us hopefully recycle these items. However, you can also use a plastic bottle as a painting tool and turn it into any number of useful items. The bottom of the bottle can be dipped into paint to create cherry blossoms or a simple pretty pattern. You can also turn plastic bottles into cup holders, containers, plant holders, and bird feeders. There are even more practical ideas like creating a vertical hanging garden or even making a greenhouse from plastic bottles. The bottle lids can also be used to create some amazing adult crafts. Anything from contemporary wall art to revamping old furniture using bottle caps.

Toilet Rolls

Toilets rolls can be a fun kids’ craft, however, there are many ideas that adults may enjoy as well. One of the easier things you can try is making a marker or pen holder. You will need a shoebox and a few toilet rolls. Of course, some paint and wrapping paper would also come in handy. You can paint each toilet roll to add more color, but you can also simply place the toilet rolls into the shoe box.

The shoe box itself, you can wrap with colorful paper, or you could leave the shoebox out completely and just use the toilet rolls.

You can then place all your pens and pencils into separate paper toilet rolls. You should be able to get quite a few rolls inside the shoebox, so you can create separate compartments for different colors. Here are a few more interesting ideas using toilet rolls.

• Door wreaths
• Create gift boxes
• Easy bird feeders
• Wall art
• Napkin rings

Repurposing Old CDs

CDs and old DVDs are on their way out due to being able to stream a lot of digital content. So, we are left with the disks and what to do with them. There are quite a few ideas for working with these disks, but the most popular is cutting the disks up and using them like you mosaics. These “mosaic tiles” can be used in any number of ways. For example, to revamp an old side table, create ornaments, ornamental birdbath, mosaic frames, mosaic serving tray. You can also use the whole CD to create other craft ideas. For example, a cd clock or wall art decorations.

Tin Cans

Tins cans are another item that most of us have, and these can be turned into pencil or plant holders, cutlery holders, candles, or tea light holders. To make personalized tin tea lights, you can take something sharp like a nail and use a hammer to make small holes in the tin. These holes can be in the shape of letters or anything else. The tin can be decorated by painting or covering with paper, fabric, or even washi tape.

You can even repurpose two items at once, try decorating the tin can with painted plastic spoons.

DIY Home Décor Adult Crafts

Decorating your home can become quite expensive, so why not try doing your own art projects for adults. There are many easy crafts for adults that can become beautiful décor pieces and something you can be proud of making.

Easy Vase Ideas

It is always nice to have a vase in the house for flowers or decorative purposes. There are many beautiful and expensive glass or crystal vases available for purchase, however, there are many ways you can create your own. Even an unused light bulb, with all the hardware removed, can be turned into a unique and eye-catching flower vase.

Here are some other ideas you can try.

• Wine bottles
• Jugs or jars
• Mugs and teacups

Wine Rack Ideas

Making your own wine rack can be easy, and it can serve as a decorative and functional piece in the home. A simple idea is to use a piece of PVC piping stacked so you can place your wine bottle inside. Other ideas for making a wine rack can be to use old wooden crates or use a slab of wood onto which you can place rope, metal stakes, or newspaper hooks. There are also many other designs you can try using wood, but you might need a little bit more experience with working with wood.

Decorative Yarn Balls

This is a very simple craft idea and all you need is some yarn, a balloon, and some glue. You blow up the balloon to the size and shape you want and then dip the yarn in the glue, and this is then wound around the balloon. Once the glue dries, the yarn becomes hard and you can pop and remove the balloon, leaving you with the shaped yarn item.

You can make a few smaller colorful yarn balls and place them in a bowl as a decorative centerpiece.

You can also hang the balls somewhere or you can create ball lights. How about a colorful yarn ball door wreath or a similar method to also create a yarn bowl? Instead of yarn, try something more durable like rope or twine, and using glue, you can coil this into a bowl shape. Using the same method, instead of yarn, you can try using lace tablecloths or doilies.

Easy Concrete Décor Ideas

Concrete is cheap and easy to come by, and you can make quite a few creative items with it. You can use concrete to make anything from smaller décor items to concrete countertops. Here is a list of ideas for crafting with concrete.

• Create concrete planters
• Coasters
• Decorative concrete garden balls
• Candleholders

• Concrete table
• Cone shapes ring holders
• Concrete door stoppers
• Magnets
• Concrete numbers and letters
• Paperweights
• Concrete bowls

Unique Wall Art Projects for Adults

You can make some pretty and unique wall art using some string and nails. String art can easily be done on a wood surface or try using a canvas instead. You can make use of only color or you can use different colored strings for better effect. All you need to do is place your nails in a specific design and then wind the string around the nail to create a pattern.

You can stick to simple shapes or try creating something more complex.

There are many other wall art ideas you can try. For example, a simple canvas, spray paint, and leaves, and you can make beautiful nature-inspired art pieces. Instead of leaves, you can also tape off a geometric design. You could also stencil a design onto canvas and then cut out the design for cut canvas wall art.

Art Projects for Adults and Gift Ideas

Everything is getting to be expensive nowadays, and buying gifts is just as bad. So, why not make your gift instead. Not only is this a more meaningful gift idea, but it is also rewarding in itself. You can choose easier or more challenging DIY crafts for adults as your gifting idea, but whatever it is, we are sure your loved one will appreciate the effort you put in.

Candle Wax Ideas

You can create some amazing gifts and items using candle wax. Many of the ideas are easy yet create something beautiful and unique. A simple idea is to take some long white candles you may already have and dip them into a melted mixture of candle wax and crayon shavings. You can use some painter’s tape to get some nice straight lines when dipping, or simply allow the melted, colored wax to form natural and uneven lines.

You can also use the melted wax to form a bowl shape.

Take a balloon and fill it with air and tie it off. Then prepare your melted wax, which can be white or colored. Dip the balloon into the wax slowly as far as it can go. Allow this to cool and follow the same process until you land up with at least several layers. Allow this to cool and then pop the balloon, which then leaves a bowl-shaped wax item. You can then use it as a bowl or a wax candle holder.

Melt-and-Pour Soap

This is an easy craft idea using melt-and-pour soap. You can, of course, make your own soap from scratch, but this is a lot easier. You only need some melt-and-pour soap, a mold, and some spraying alcohol. You can either melt the soap in a double boiler on the stove or you can melt it in the microwave. There are many different scents and color melt-and-pour soaps available. You can also customize your own soap by using a bar of plain soap and adding in colors, herbs, clays, and embedded items yourself. Besides melt-and-pour soaps, there are many other bath and body products you can make. For example, body scrubs, lip scrubs and balms, bath bombs, and bath soaks.

Mason Jar Craft Ideas

Mason jars are quite common and many of them can be reused and recycled. One of the more popular ideas is to use jars for recipes, especially cake or cookie recipes. The jars also make great containers for things like bath salts. You can also paint the mason jar and then you can use it as a flower vase. The jars can also be used to create a mason jar lantern using LED lights, tea lights, bulbs, or candles. You can also try your hand at making a glass jar terrarium.

This is a wonderful way to bring in a bit of nature into the home.

Decorative Wine Glasses

Wine glasses are always a good gifting idea if you know your friends drink a glass or two every so often. There are a lot of ways you can make a wine glass more unique. You can use chalkboard paint to cover the base of the wine glass, and you can then write on the paint with chalk after it has dried. You could also apply glitter to the wine glass stem for added sparkle. You can paint the glasses, using permanent markers, apply etching designs, or use embellishments. Wine glass charms are also something you can make using charms and beads. You could also use the cork from the wine bottle to make the wine glass charms. Wine bottles can also be made into vases or candle holders.

Homemade Gift Cards

Cards for birthdays and other special occasions seem to be becoming a thing of the past. The cards you get in the store can be quite pricey, so why not add a more personal touch to your gift and make your own. An old-fashioned idea is to use pressed flowers as embellishments. You can also use fabric and paper flowers.

There are many other embellishments you can use, or you can paint the cards.

Photo Frame ideas

Photo frames are a popular gifting item and there are many ways you can do this. From using a simple wooden frame, some string, and clothespins to an easy-to-make hanging frame. You can also take a simple frame and make it your own by sticking shells, buttons, mosaic pieces, buttons, or paint over the frame. You can also transfer your photos and place them on items like tiles, ceramics, and wood.

Paper Adult Crafts

There are so many different paper products that come in various colors and even textures. Paper is not only for painting or drawing on, but it can also be used to create sculptures and various unique arts and crafts for adults.

• Paper Flowers: These are quite popular and can be used for décor, for events, or just for fun. There are many different flowers to make, from small to large.
• Quilling Projects: This uses different colors of paper strips that you roll up and use to create various designs.
• Origami : Folding paper into all kinds of designs, from easy to more challenging diagrams.

• Paper lanterns: There are many designs for paper lanterns including your traditional Chinese lanterns to your thumbtack lanterns, where you create a design by puncturing small holes into the paper.
• Woven paper art: You can make some unique paper art by using different color paper and weaving different patterns.

Easy Crafts for Adults Using Fabrics

Fabric is fun and can be easy to work with, and there does not have to be any sewing involved. If you work with fabrics, you might already have some offcuts you do not know what to do with. However, you can also upcycle old clothes, sheets, or tea towels. Take an old shirt, cut it into strips and you can make it into a rug, or you can use the material to make a fruit bag.

You can even spruce up some old shoes or get yourself a cheap pair of white shoes and use fabric markers to make your own unique pair.

Dyed Hand Napkins

Take simple white napkins and soak them in water, wring them out and then apply fabric paint. To create a faded look, start from the bottom and move up, and as you go, dilute the paint in water. You can also use fabric dye to create unique T-shirts, pillowcases, and socks.

Fabric Covered Planters

All you need is a pot, some fabric pieces, and Mod Podge. This is another one of those great fabric ideas if you have some scrap pieces lying around. Simply glue the pieces of fabric to the pot and then cover with the mod podge. You will soon have a beautiful, covered pot for your flowers, which you can keep in your own garden or give away as gifts.

You could also use the same technique to cover foam balls, which you can use as decorative pieces or hang on the Christmas tree.

Tote bags, Pillows, and Table Runners

If you want to purchase fabric, there are many beautiful patterns available. Some easy ideas to try might include a little sewing. There are some easy-tote bags you make or try making some decorative pillows. Table runners are another easy craft idea that can be done; however, a sewing machine does come in handy for some of these ideas.

Fabric Bowls

There is so much you can do with fabric besides using it to make the usual items. You can sew scraps of fabric into a bowl, or an easier method is to use fabric, a disposable container, and some mod podge to create a bowl. You can also make coasters from fabric, scented sachets, placemats, or even create a wall collage with pieces of fabric.

Garden Crafts for Adults

If you enjoy working in the garden, you most probably like adding some fun items to make the garden look even better. There are many garden craft ideas for adults, here are a few to get you started.

• Using garden pots in different ways: You can easily use garden pots in other ways to create more unique items. For example, you can use old seed packets and use them to decoupage your plant pots. You can simply paint the garden pot in the color you prefer and add to this by applying some dot art patterns.
• Garden pot toadstools: This uses a garden pot and base that is reversed. So, the pot is placed upside down with the base on top, forming a mushroom shape.
• Painted rocks: This is a popular craft idea as it is simple to do. You take a fair size rock and paint it; this can then be placed anywhere in the garden.

• Garden wind chimes: For this, you can use beads, shells, metal spoons, metal keys, and more.
• Garden kneeling pad: This will require a little sewing experience and a few supplies, but it is easy enough for beginners.
• Stepping stones: You can use concrete and various embellishments like color pebbles to create your stepping stones.
• Miniature fairy garden: You can make these fairy gardens from recycled items.

Art Projects for Adults

The main difference between art and crafts is that art is a form of expression and involves some form of emotion, while crafts use learned techniques to create items that could be decorative or functional. Most of the above we have mentioned so far is more on the crafting side, so let us have a look at a few examples of art projects for adults.

You do not have to create a master art piece, there are projects you can try that are easy for beginners.

Abstract Painting

This is always a good place to start, as you can do anything you want. You can use acrylic paints, oil, pastels as well as watercolor paints for this effect. You can also easily create a mixed media abstract piece by combining these mediums and adding in other materials like sand, beads, or glass. Of course, to get the best out of an art piece, it is important to understand color theory, composition, and other techniques.

Acrylic Painting

This is a popular medium to work with and can be used in many ways. When it comes to acrylic paints, you also do not have to stay with painting on canvas, you can use the paint on a variety of different surfaces from plastic to glass, metal, and wood. There are many techniques you can use with acrylic paint, and one of the more popular ideas is acrylic pouring.

This is a fun and easy idea for adults and beginners.

Easy Watercolor Painting Ideas

Even though watercolor painting is considered one of the more challenging mediums, many ideas are great for beginners. You can easily create unique gift cards with a quick watercolor painting. You can attempt anything from landscapes to animals, flowers, and more.

Alcohol Ink Painting

This is another popular adult crafting idea, and the inks can be used on all kinds of surfaces besides paper. The effect the ink produce is similar to watercolors, and they create all kinds of beautiful swirls and patterns. You can make wonderful wall art pieces or create uniquely patterned porcelain mugs.

More Craft Ideas for Adults

There are so many arts and crafts for adults, we have only dealt with the tip of the iceberg when it comes to craft ideas. You might have to try quite a few of these ideas before you find one that you enjoy the most if you want to make it into a business or if you really want to master a specific technique or skill. Below you can find a list of a few more popular adults crafts.

• Decoupage
• Epoxy crafts
• Jewelry making
• Clay crafts

• Scrapbooking
• Pyrography
• Glass Painting
• Macrame
• Mosaics
• Refurbishing old furniture

Arts and crafts for adults are a great way to help reduce stress and to simply be creative. Even if you think you are not a creative person, there are craft ideas that might pique your interest. Choose something that you think will be fun and you cannot go wrong. Also check out our Crafts for Seniors inspiration post!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Good Craft Ideas for Adults?

There are many easy crafts for adults, but there are some crafts that are both decorative and functional. Some craft ideas are also great for giving as gifts or are items that you can recycle and make into something new. For example, a T-shirt yarn rug, which is both recycled and functional.

What Are the More Popular Crafts for Adults?

Some of the more well-liked craft ideas include your jewelry making and bath and body products as well as candle making. Some other ideas include anything involving photography and creating various types of wall art. Another popular art and craft idea is your acrylic pouring.

Why Are Adult Crafts Important?

Doing arts and crafts is important because it helps to improve focus and concentration. When creating and crafting, it also helps to reduce stress and can reduce feelings of anxiety. Crafting can also help to improve memory and can be a source of accomplishment.

What Are Some Easy and Cheap Craft Ideas?

These craft ideas would include anything you already have around the house. For example, you can repurpose an old T-shirt and create a bag from it. You can even take something like plastic spoons and use them to create some wonderful ideas. For example, a spoon mirror, clock, or vase.

Charlene Lewis( Content Writer for Painting and Crafting )

In 2005, Charlene completed her wellness degrees in therapeutic aromatherapy and reflexology at the International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy. She worked for a company offering corporate wellness programs for several years before opening her own therapy practice. In 2015, she was asked by a digital marketer friend to join her company as a content creator, and it was here that she discovered her enthusiasm for writing. Since entering the world of content creation, she has gained a lot of experience over the years writing about various topics such as beauty, health, wellness, travel, crafting, and much more. Due to various circumstances, she had to give up her therapy practice and now works as a freelance writer. Since she is a very creative person and as a balance to writing likes to be active in various areas of art and crafts, the activity at acrylgiessen.com is perfect for her to contribute their knowledge and experience in various creative topics.

Learn more about Charlene Lewis and about us.