I shared this project as a reel on our Instagram a few weeks ago. And when I did, I pointed out this project was inspired by Lauren Holifield as she made something similar and shared it on IG. I loved her seashell version and I thought decorating a champagne bottle to look like the cover of my book would be the perfect way to celebrate my first self-publishing launch. Cheers!

What is Mod Podge?

Mod podge is a glue, sealer and finish all in one. It comes in a variety of weights and finishes, including matte or glossy. You can use mod podge to glue cut paper pieces onto most surfaces and, once dry, you can also use it to seal the item.

Mod podge comes in a variety of containers and can be applied different ways, but I tend to use a paintbrush to both glue cut papers on as well as seal projects.

What is Mod Podge used for?

It’s a great supply for collage and decoupage projects. You can use it for a variety of other craft projects as well. Anything that would require a medium to lightweight glue (so not hot glue, or a super glue) Mod Podge could likely be used for.

For this project, I saved the collage pieces I had used for my book cover. I had already scanned and saved them digitally (which is what I sent to my book cover designer), so I also printed them and cut them out so I’d have multiples.

I painted the outside of the champagne bottle with acrylic paint that I mixed to match my book cover. I taped the labels with painters tape so I didn’t have to be super careful as I painted.

Once the paint was dry, I used mod podge to add the cut paper pieces to the bottle. And once that layer was dry, I sealed the entire painted area, with the glued on pieces, with mod podge again.

Best collage supplies

• Extraordinary things to cut out and collage
• Cut up this book
• Magazines
• Catalogs – I love Anthropologie and Free People
• Manual – like old Cub Scout or Girl Scout manuals
• Textbooks
• Wrapping paper – save the scraps
• Leftover wallpaper scraps
• Paint your own papers – Cut Paper Pictures is a great resource on this
• Scissors – You may also want an exacto knife

Saving junk mail, thrifting, or utilizing used books sales (like a Friends of the Library book sale) are great ways to stock up on collage paper supplies without cutting up new books/resources (which can be expensive and sad).

Here is what it looks like when mod podge is fresh on a surface. It’s looks white and kind of cloudy but it dries completely clear.

What is decoupage?

Decoupage is the art of decorating an object with cut papers by gluing them to the object. This can also include adding other elements such as paint, glitter, gold leaf, etc. The word comes from the French word decouper, which means to cut. The basic technique has been used by many cultures historically to decorate all sorts of objects including tombs, boxes, windows, and even religious items.

Paper Craft projects to try

• Pop-up Card tutorial
• Chipboard book for kids
• Photo Puzzle – could be any image or picture beyond a photo too
• Mini Magazine notebook DIY
• Photo Dot Journal DIY
• How to transfer a photo to wood
• Make your own Canvas Portrait

Check out our entire Paper Crafts archive for even more!

In addition to the champagne bottle I made for myself to open and celebrate after launch, I also made a mini version with Prosecco for my proofreader, interior designer, book cover designer, and first readers. These were so fun to make and celebrate with!

You can find my novel, Handmade Murder on Amazon or learn how to request a copy at your favorite bookstore or library here.

This class craft is easy to do, but you’ll have more success with some basic information and a step-by-step beginner’s guide.

Love tie dye? Then you may also want to try: Shibori Tie-Dye, Resist Dye Basics, and How to Double Dip Dye (similar to ombre).

Tie-Dye Basics

The history of tie-dye dates back thousands of years, with evidence of similar techniques found in various cultures around the world.

However, the modern form of tie-dye that is most commonly associated with colorful patterns and designs on clothing emerged in the 1960s during the counterculture movement in the United States. I always think of the Grateful Dead when I think of tie-dye.

The basic idea is you cover areas of fabric by tying them off with rubber bands. Then, you dye the rest of the fabric, possibly in multiple colors. The tied-off areas do not get color, since they are not exposed to the dye.

There are many different patterns and variations of this basic technique. But the number one piece of advice I would give to anyone who is just trying out tie-dye for the first time is this: It will be imperfect.

Tie-dye, like many projects, is about experimenting and enjoying the process while also at times being surprised by the results. If you want a perfectly curated look, tie-dye is likely not the best option, as it’s meant to look messy, colorful, and fun!

Classic Tie-Dye – How to

One you have gathered your supplies (more on this below), tie-dye has three basic steps: prepare your fabric, dye it, and then once done, wash it before use.

Supplies

• Dye – I love Tulip one-step dyes and the tie-dye kit. No soda ash or presoaking required. This is truly the best option for beginner’s IMO.
• Rubber bands
• Gloves & drop cloth to protect areas
• Garments or items to dye – white cotton is best but other fabrics can work as well. You can tie dye so many different garments like sweatshirts, T-shirts, socks, bandanas, overalls, and more!
• Laundry detergent

Preparation

Begin by washing the garments you plan to dye. If they are things you already own and have washed before, you can skip this step. But anything new or if you are unsure (like an item you thrifted), go ahead and wash it as you normally would and fully dry before dyeing.

Dye

Scrunch up your item as desired and then add rubber bands. See below for patterns you can try.

Then, mix your dyes according to the package instructions (the kit I used had me simply add water to the bottles and shake).

Cover your area with a drop cloth to protect it from any dye spills. I also recommend wearing disposable gloves as you work to protect your hands.

Add dye to the prepared fabric and allow to soak for the recommended time. The dye I used suggested 4-6 hours.

Wash

Before throwing your tie-dye garments in the washing machine, give them a good rinse in the bathtub or kitchen sink. I recommend wearing gloves again for this step. Remove the rubber bands and rinse until the water runs clean. Then, wash them in the washing machine, or as you normally would.

I know it may not seem necessary, but I do think it’s best to wash newly dyed items separate from other clothing the first time. Even if you rinse it well, the dye could ruin other clothing you are not wanting to dye.

Tie-Dye Patterns

While I love to randomly bunch up my project and be surprised by the final results, it’s also really fun to create classic tie-dye patterns. Here are five basic patterns to try.

Bullseye

Pinch a section of fabric of the garment. Pull the fabric up to this point, creating a fabric cone. Wrap rubber bands around the cone of fabric.

You can add as many or as few rubber bands as you want. When you go to dye, add a different color to each section (between the rubber bands).

Folded

Fold the garment into a square or triangle, folding and condensing it down as much as you like. When you go to dye add color to the edges of the folds only.

This tie-dye pattern can use rubber bands or not—it’s up to you. If you want to add small pieces of cardboard in the shape of the fold (a square or a triangle) on each side, you can wrap the rubber bands around these before dyeing.

Stripes

Lay the garment flat. Starting from the bottom or one side, fold the shirt in a series of small accordion-style folds. Wrap the folded shirt with rubber bands. Depending if you start from, a side or top/bottom will create vertical, horizontal or diagonal lines.

When you go to dye, add color to each section (between rubber bands).

Sunbursts

Pinch a series of small sections and pull them up to create small, small cone shapes. Secure each with a couple of rubber bands. These kind of resemble cow utters. When you go to dye, add a color to the small cone areas and a different color for the rest.

Swirl

Pinch a small section in the center of your garment. Twist the fabric around this point. Keep twisting, and the garment will become a disc. It think it resembles a cinnamon roll.

Secure the shirt with three or four rubber bands, crisscrossing them over the center of the disc. The tighter you bind the shirt, the more white there will be. When you dye, add color to each different section on the disc created by the rubber bands.

Bleach Tie-Dye

Using bleach to tie-dye is essentially the same technique but instead of adding color to a garment, we are looking to take color away (by bleaching it off).

All you need is: a colored garment (again, cotton is best but other fabrics can work as well), rubber bands, bleach, gloves, and a drop cloth to protect your hands and surfaces.

Fold or scrunch your garment and add rubber bands as desired. Then, carefully add the bleach to the entire garment or only sections—up to you.

You will be able to see the garment change color so you’ll likely know when it’s ready. I found that 1-2 hours is likely enough, but longer can create an even more intense bleached look.

Just like classic tie-dye, rinse the garment (with gloves on) and then wash separately the first time.

Ice Tie-Dye

Using ice cubes to tie-dye has become really popular in the last few years. The process is slightly different, and in my experience creates a softer, more subtle tie-dye effect than classic tie-dye.

You will still need a white or light colored garment (cotton is best), powder tie-dye (like the kit I used throughout this post), rubber bands, gloves, and ice cubes. I also think a cooling rack is useful.

Fold or scrunch your garment and add rubber bands. Place in your kitchen sink on top of the cooling rack.

Then, cover the garment in ice cubes and sprinkled with colors of powdered dye. As the ice melts, it will dissolve the dye powders and saturates the fabric. Allow the ice cubes to fully melt.

Just like classic tie-dye, rinse with gloves on until the water runs clear. Then, wash separately the first time, so it doesn’t stain other clothing.

More Craft Projects

• Weaving for Beginner’s
• Experimenting with Natural Dyes
• How to Make Bath Bombs
• Shrinky Dinks – Ultimate Guide
• Resin Art – Beginner’s Guide
• How to Make Candles
• Clay Bead Bracelet Ideas
• Make Your Own Tie-Dye Soap
• No-Sew Fleece Tie Blanket

If you have more questions about tie-dye projects, let us know in the comments and we can add to the FAQ section of this post over time. Happy crafting!

Print

How to Tie Dye – Beginner’s Guide

classic tie dye technique

Keyword tie dye

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Soak Time 6 hours hours

Total Time 6 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Author Emma Chapman

Ingredients

• white cotton garments
• tie-dye kit
• rubber bands
• gloves
• drop cloth

Instructions

• Begin by washing the garments you plan to dye.
• Scrunch up your item as desired and then add rubber bands.
• Then, mix your dyes according to the package instructions.
• Cover your area with a drop cloth to protect it from any dye spills.
• Wear disposable gloves as you work to protect your hands.
• Add dye to the prepared fabric and allow to soak for the recommended time. The dye I used suggested 4-6 hours.
• Before throwing your tie-dye garments in the washing machine, give them a good rinse in the bathtub or kitchen sink. I recommend wearing gloves again for this step. 
• Remove the rubber bands and rinse until the water runs clean.
• Then, wash them in the washing machine, or as you normally would.

Notes

• If the garments you are dyeing are things you already own and have washed before, you can skip washing them.
• See post for examples of different tie-dye patterns you can try. 
• I know it may not seem necessary, but I do think it’s best to wash newly dyed items separate from other clothing the first time. Even if you rinse it well, the dye could ruin other clothing you are not wanting to dye.

We’re also sharing some food gifts, meal ideas, and a few dessert recipes in case you’re hosting a lunch or dinner for Father’s Day.

Related: If you prefer to buy a gift this year, we have a huge Father’s Day Gift Guide with over 100 ideas!

DIY Gift Ideas:

We have a bunch of DIY gift ideas for Dad, ranging from 10 minute projects (like a simple leather keychain) to more advanced DIYs like a wooden sofa sleeve.

Homemade soap is always a great gift idea. Our DIY buffalo check soap is softly scented with rosemary essential oil, but we love the scent of peppermint or fir needle for this soap, too.

This free “Dad and Me” printable is so cute! Children can draw a picture with Dad and write him a little note. You could easily frame this special gift so it can be displayed and enjoyed everyday.

Here’s another idea for kids—a Father’s Day printable that can be filled out in their own words. It’s so fun to see how children answer the questions!

Here’s a unique gift idea— a leather mason jar sleeve. It’s perfect for camping trips and morning coffee. If you’ve never worked with leather before, this tutorial makes it less intimidating than it seems.

It’s so easy to scroll through photos on our phone, but nothing beats the feeling of flipping through photos in an actual album. Dad will love this chipboard family photo album as much as you will.

A DIY lap desk is a really useful gift, and the fact that you made one makes it even more special. This tutorial is easy and doesn’t require any sewing skills (always a plus!).

This DIY acrylic frame has a spot for a dry erase calendar on the back and a spot for a photo on the front. We love gifts that have multiple uses! Dad can put this on his desk at work or in a home office..

Homemade candles make great gifts for any occasion—and Father’s Day is no exception. In fact, we have an entire beginner’s guide post dedicated to making homemade candles.

We especially love DIY wood wick candles. They create a cozy vibe anytime of the year.

What about a leather keychain? This useful gift can be made in 10 minutes once you have the supplies, and it can be customized and painted any color.

This kid’s art frame DIY a perfect way to display art projects and doodles. It’s opens from the front, and you can switch out your children’s art work anytime you want. It’s one of our most popular DIYs on the blog!

This would be a great spot for a Father’s Day printable, too.

You could him make a set of wood burned bottle stoppers. These are so unique and would make any bar cart look extra fancy. If you don’t want to purchase a wood burning kit, you could easily use paint for this project instead.

Speaking of wood working projects, these geometric wood trivets would be a great gift idea for any Dad who likes to spend time in the kitchen. This is one of those DIY gifts that take a little time, but it’s totally worth it.

Here’s another personalized gift idea— an easy photo keychain. Regardless if your children are big or small, a cute photo that Dad can see every time he grabs his keys is a special gift to receive.

How about a gift that the whole family can enjoy together? You can make your own giant Jenga game to play outside during the summer months. If you prefer to purchase a giant Jenga set instead, it would result in the same amount of fun.

Love outdoor games? You can even make your own cornhole yard game.

A set of DIY resin coasters would be a great gift (you can personalize them using different colors of alcohol ink) and they are equally fun to make. Looking for more resin projects? Check out our post resin art – beginner’s guide.

If Dad likes to read, you could make him a set of vintage-inspired library card bookmarks using our free printable. These are so fun! You could pair this gift with a book he would love.

This wooden sofa sleeve can hold coffee (or cocktails) while you’re watching TV. It’s so practical and sleek. This is another gift that you could buy, but it’s extra special if you make it.

Regardless what you give Dad this year, it’s always a good idea to include a homemade card. We have a lot of fun ideas on our kid’s website, Childhood Magic.

This suede catchall is great for keeping keys, change, and other small items in one place. It’s so simple to make that you might end up making two of them!

Who wouldn’t love sitting by a cozy fire in their backyard? This DIY fire pit (in 4 easy steps) would be an epic gift for Father’s Day. Don’t forget to have the ultimate s’mores setup nearby.

Food Gift Ideas:

Give the gift of food on Father’s Day this year! We have some fun ideas—from taco-shaped sugar cookies to homemade seasonings.

Use our easy sugar cookie recipe to make Dad a batch of amazing Father’s Day cookies. These might look too fun to eat, but we insist that you enjoy these delicious cookies together after he sees them.

Looking for more cookie recipes? Check out our post best cookie recipes of all time.

If he enjoys grilling or cooking, grab some empty spice jars and make him a set of homemade seasoning mixes or everything bagel seasoning.

If you’re hosting a lunch or dinner, add a no-bake dessert (like this chocolate eclair cake) to the menu. It’s incredibly easy to make and always a crowd favorite.

If you’re looking for more easy dessert recipes, check out our post 15+ easy no-bake desserts.

You could have a family picnic at a park nearby or use your own backyard to enjoy a meal together. We have tons of recipe ideas (including these deviled eggs) in our post 40+ easy picnic food ideas.

Father’s Day Meal Ideas:

If you’re planning a meal for Father’s Day, we have a bunch of amazing recipe roundups for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you’re thinking brunch, you can’t go wrong with a biscuits and gravy casserole!

• 60 Easy Dinner Recipes
• 50+ Healthy Breakfast Ideas
• 40 Fun Cocktails to Make At Home
• 30 Easy Finger Foods for a Party

Looking For More Gift Guides?

• Homemade Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
• Easy DIY Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
• Housewarming Gift Ideas

Epoxy resin can be bought in all sorts of different crafting kits, as well as used in larger home projects or even industrial projects. But for this post, I’m mainly focused on resin art or craft projects that can be made from epoxy resin.

Resin art is any art or craft project made with epoxy that is colored or has objects added to it (encased in it) and serves an aesthetic purpose which could range from a coffee table to earrings.

We’ve shared LOTS of epoxy resin projects on this blog over the years, so I wanted to put together a beginner’s guide with all the information someone might want to get started.

Related: Looking for more DIY projects? Check out How to Tie-Dye – Beginner’s Guide and our crafts archive for years and years of great craft projects.

Here is a video on how to use epoxy resin:

Supplies

• Epoxy Resin crystal clear kit
• measuring cup – disposable, or for this project use only (not from your kitchen)
• molds – for this project, I used these silicone ornament molds
• elements – pressed leaves or flowers, glitter, coins, small photos, etc.
• disposable gloves

I also used some hair from my son’s first haircut for this project. I wanted to save some of his first locks in a Christmas ornament as a keepsake.

Best Epoxy Resin Products for Crafting

• Jewelry/Small Project Kit – we’ve bought this so many times over the years! It’s easy to use and comes with all the basics you’ll need other than molds.
• Larger Project Kit – for those who want to make lots of small projects or something larger like a coffee table or desk surface.
• Coaster molds – this set also comes with a coaster storage box mold.
• Jewelry molds – for jewelry molds, I prefer ones that include a hole for adding a jump ring or other jewelry finishing.
• Kitchen torch – great for getting bubbles out, especially for larger pieces. Also you can use this for creme brûlée.

How to Use Epoxy Resin

• Prepare your work area and molds. You want to make sure the molds are clean and you have protected any work surfaces in case of supplies.
• Mix together the epoxy resin and hardener. Most kits will have you measure 1:1, but check the directions on your resin products to make sure.
• Add the elements and fill the molds with the resin mixture.
• Use toothpicks to arrange or push elements into the resin more. You can sometimes also pop any bubbles that form in your resin with the toothpicks.
• Allow the project to fully cure; usually this takes 10-24 hours depending on your resin product, so check the instructions.
• Remove your objects from their molds. You can further decorate, like adding ribbon to the ornaments, etc.

Epoxy Resin Projects

1. DIY Epoxy Resin Coffee Table – I sealed photos and agate slices, but you could do pennies if you want that classic look
2. Glitter Coasters
3. DIY Faux Terrazzo Countertops – a larger scale project with an epoxy resin seal
4. DIY Epoxy Resin Jewelry – with glitter and sprinkles
5. Colorful Epoxy-Topped Desk
6. Epoxy Jewelry Box – a fun gift idea
7. Alcohol Ink Resin Coasters – so fun and colorful!
8. Daisy DIY Earrings
9. Glitter Letter Keychain
10. Epoxy Statement Necklace – with photos

What are the Different Types of Resin?

• Epoxy – The best object for craft and smaller home projects, especially for beginners. It has a low odor. Once mixed, you’ll have a short amount of time to cast your pieces (usually 20 minutes or less) and the epoxy usually cures within 24 hours.
• Polyester – Higher odor but cures very hard. A good option if you want something that cures hard enough that you can sand it.
• Polyurethane – More sensitive but cures very quickly. If you want a resin that cures (hardens) fast, this is the best option.

Tips for Success

• Prepare work pieces – have everything ready to go before you mix your resin.
• Prepare work space – cover surfaces with scrap paper or a drop cloth and make sure your molds or other supplies are dust and debris free; otherwise, the dust may get stuck in your resin forever.
• Wear gloves and consider protective eyewear, especially if you’re working with larger pieces. You may also want to work in a well ventilated area or outdoors, but have a way to cover or protect your project as it cures from weather.
• A heat gun or kitchen torch is the best way to remove bubbles from larger surfaces. If your project is smaller, like jewelry pieces, you can use a toothpick to remove bubbles.

What questions do you have about resin art? What projects are you going to try?

Print

Resin Art – Beginner’s Guide

how to create ornaments or coasters with epoxy resin

Keyword diy projects, epoxy, epoxy diy

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Cure time 12 hours hours

Total Time 12 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Author Emma Chapman

Ingredients

• 1 Epoxy Resin crystal clear kit
• 1 measuring cup
• pressed flowers or plants
• 1 pair disposable gloves

Instructions

• Prepare your work area and molds. You want to make sure the molds are clean and you have protected any work surfaces in case of supplies.
• Mix together the epoxy resin and hardener. Most kits will have you measure 1:1, but check the directions on your resin products to make sure.
• Add the elements and fill the molds with the resin mixture.
• Use toothpicks to arrange or push elements into the resin more. You can sometimes also pop any bubbles that form in your resin with the toothpicks.
• Allow the project to fully cure; usually this takes 10-24 hours depending on your resin product, so check the instructions.
• Remove your objects from their molds. You can further decorate, like adding ribbon to the ornaments, etc.

Notes

• I also used some hair from my son’s first haircut for this project. I wanted to save some of his first locks in a Christmas ornament as a keepsake.

Related: Elsie’s Mother’s Day Gift Ideas – personalized jewelry picks, kitchen and dining gifts, coffee table books, and more.

This clay petal planter is a perfect gift idea, and it’s incredibly easy to make. The hardest part of this DIY is deciding which color of clay to use (team rainbow over here).

Treat mom to a relaxing bubble bath with our DIY bubble bath bars made with natural ingredients. We recommend putting them inside a jar like this—they’re too pretty not to be displayed!

We love all things wicker and rattan—especially this caned candle holder. This candle holder is a gift that she can use over and over again, and it goes with pretty much any decor style.

She will absolutely love a soft blanket to get cozy with, and this DIY happens to be for a no-sew fleece tie blanket—super easy to make!

If your mom loves jewelry, you could make her an acrylic earring holder. The “marbled” bottom is made with peel and stick paper to keep things budget-friendly.

Speaking of jewelry, these gold statement earrings are also a DIY and another great gift idea. They only take a few minutes to make! You could make an origami box and lid to gift them in as well!

Homemade potpourri is so much better than the store-bought kind. You can use foraged or store-bought plants and herbs, and customize the scent with different essential oils.

How cute are these DIY clay bead bracelets? Making these can turn into a really fun hobby—you might end up making them for all your friends, too.

A glitter letter keychain or a set of glitter acrylic coasters are fun (and useful) gift ideas, and they are equally fun to make. Acrylic projects are some of our favorites; these DIY daisy earrings included.

Check out Resin Art – Beginner’s Guide for more ideas!

Candles make great gifts for any occasion—especially Mother’s Day. In fact, we have an entire beginner’s guide post dedicated to making homemade candles.

We have a lot of DIY candle options to choose from, like beeswax candles (they have a light honey scent), soy candles, and the adorable flower-shaped pillar candle pictured above.

The soothing crackle of a homemade wood wick candle is hard to beat. And just a little tip—we love using leftover vessels from old candles to make new ones.

Speaking of cozy gifts, make her a bedtime pillow mist that she’s sure to love. It will feel fancy! Sweet dreams!

We have more DIYs like this in our spa archives.

When it comes to displaying and organizing jewelry, our palm leaf ring dish and DIY marbled clay dishes are really easy to make and are cute enough to display on a bedside table.

If your mom loves to cook or bake, she will treasure these printable recipe cards gifted inside a cute recipe tin. You could even attach a recipe card to a giftable food item like our homemade cookie butter.

A set of DIY pineapple-shaped oven mitts would be equal parts adorable and functional. This cherry pie potholder, too.

We’re partial to cake, but you can add any phrase to this no-sew kitchen towel. Add a cookbook with this pom-pom trimmed towel for the perfect gift combo!

Something like our soothing rosemary mint bath salts or epsom salt bath soak are perfect for a relaxing evening at home. You could pair this gift with a good book for her to read, too.

If she loves plants, make her a cute DIY hanging planter. You don’t even have to shop for real plants to go inside this planter—something like this would be perfect!

Looking for similar ideas? Check out 10 unique DIY planters and pots.

Do you remember making Shrinky Dinks as a kid? They’re so nostalgic. Emma picked her favorite book covers to make this amazing Shrinky Dinks necklace. This would be such a fun gift!

If you’re pressed for time, these wooden ball photo holders are sleek and simple and they only take five minutes to make. You could even include a fun camera to go with them.

You might say that we have a thing for homemade bath bombs. They are the best! We have several DIY bath bombs to choose from, like rainbow gold lustre, green tea and lemon, and our classic homemade bath bombs.

Make her a pair of simple dangle pearl earrings. These are so pretty and expensive looking.

Homemade soap is one of our favorite gifts to make. And if you make extra soap, you can keep a couple bars for yourself!

We have a bunch of essential oil-based soaps to choose from, like gemstone soap, grapefruit poppyseed soap, pumpkin spice soap, and tie dye soap.

Our DIY pink sugar body polish (with an old school label) is a “dupe” of a popular brand, and we can’t get enough!

For more amazing body scrub DIYs, check out our ultimate body scrub guide.

If you’re looking for a unique way to gift photos, these DIY photo glitter globes are so fun! You can pick the color (and how much) glitter you add, but the more the merrier.

You could make her a set of terrazzo cheese knives (and then invite yourself over for cheese and wine, of course).

We love using using these reusable (and environmentally-friendly) DIY food wraps for leftovers. You could pair these wraps with something like a cute cheese board.

Laundry is something we all have to do, so why not make her a set of wool dryer balls? You could include some essential oils (we love using lavender and lemon for laundry).

If you want to include a card, we created two free Mother’s Day card designs to choose from that can be printed at home. Or you could make a unique pop-up card like Emma did here.

We have some fun Mother’s Day activities and crafts for kids on our other site, Childhood Magic!

Looking For More Gift Guides?

• 30+ DIY Father’s Day Gift Ideas
• Housewarming Gift Ideas
• Homemade Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

It’s fun for crafters of all ages, so long as you can use an oven, OR if you are making Shrinky Dinks with young children, you can bake the pieces for them.

Shrinky Dinks can be used for jewelry, keychains, pins, and lots of other projects. I’m going to share how to make them from recycled plastic as well as my favorite kits and papers to use. Everyone can have success with this project!

I created this Shrinky Dink charm necklace with some of my favorite book covers. In case you are curious, the books are: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Never Let Me Go, The Stepford Wives, Pride and Prejudice, Murder on the Orient Express, The Night Circus, and The Poisonwood Bible.

The green necklace has the cover of Kitchens of the Great Midwest on it. Next, I want to make a necklace or maybe bracelet with all the Harry Potter book covers. Lol.

What Are Shrinky Dinks?

Sometimes called shrink art, Shrinky Dinks first became popular in the 1980s and ’90s. The basic idea is you decorate a piece of polystyrene (plastic) and then bake it so it shrinks down in size. The final piece will be smaller, thicker, and more heavily pigmented.

Shrinky Dinks were invented by Betty Morris and Kate Bloomberg, two mothers who created the craft as a project with their sons for Cub Scouts. Later, large toy companies including Milton Bradley created kits and other products for commercial sale.

While most people think of Shrinky Dinks as a kids craft, it has been used for many other applications as well.

Adults can also enjoy creating craft and art projects from this technique. And, Shrinky Dinks have also been used by university students and professors for STEM projects.

Best Shrinky Dink Kits & Papers

1. Printable Shrink Plastic Sheets – These are the papers I used for my book charm necklaces. They work with ink jet printers and are semitransparent.
2. Printable Shrink Plastic Kit – Same type of ink jet compatible paper, but with jewelry and keychain making supplies in the kit as well.
3. Shrinky Dinks Kit for Kids – Princess, Barbie, and Mickey Mouse options. Easy to use and great for younger crafters.
4. Shrink Art Jewelry Kit – From Kids Made Modern, great for older kiddos.

There are many options if you want a kit or papers that have pre-made designs you can color in before baking.

If you want papers you can free draw, on I recommend the first option above. You don’t have to use an ink jet printer—you can simply draw on it with felt-tip pens or colored pencils.

Tips for Success

No matter if you are working with a paper, kit, or creating Shrinky Dinks from recycled plastic (more on this below) the most important tip for success is to use an oven or other heating tool (heat gun) that allows you to see the plastic pieces as they bake. So, easy bake ovens without a window or air fryers don’t work as well.

You want to be able to watch the pieces bake as they will curl, and then uncurl when they are done baking. This process will likely take 1-2 minutes, but it’s best if you can watch them as they bake so you can know when they are one.

If you have pieces that are still slightly curled after baking, you can press them flat (while they are still hot) with a book or other heavy object. But take care not to burn your finger as they will be hot immediately after being in the oven.

DIY Shrinky Dinks:

To make your own Shrinky Dinks from recycled plastic you will need: #6 plastic and felt-tipped pens.

While you can try and use other plastics, none will work as well as #6. I have tried! You can identify the type of plastic you have by looking for the recycle symbol which is three arrows creating a triangle. Inside will be a number.

Number 6 plastic is often found on disposable food packages like takeout containers. At least at our house, it’s not very common.

I see much more number 5 and number 1 plastic. I tried these for Shrinky Dink projects and they work OK, but not great.

Color the number 6 plastic with the felt-tipped pens. You can use other items like acrylic paint or markers, but keep in mind you want to avoid things that are super waxy or that will not be able to take the heat of the oven.

Once you have colored your designs, cut them out.

Bake at 325°F for 1-2 minutes, watching the pieces as they bake on parchment paper. You want to see them curl and then fully uncurl, that’s when they are done.

FAQ:

I prefer to use the ink jet compatible paper I listed above for my Shrinky Dink projects; but if you have number 6 plastic or don’t mind a slightly more homemade look, you can make your own DIY Shrinky Dinks with the tutorial I shared above.

More DIY Jewelry Projects

• Clay Bead Bracelet Ideas
• Marbled Clay Statement Earrings
• Make Real Silver Jewelry with Metal Clay
• DIY Epoxy Resin Jewelry
• Rainbow Seed Bead Earrings

It’s a small thing, but I always appreciate having it when I am addressing my holiday cards, and it looks chic and professional for sending happy mail to our friends and family.

I’ve recently purchased some other types of custom stamps, and in today’s post, I want to share them all with you.

Custom Rubber Stamps

There are so many cool custom stamps that are made to order on Etsy and Amazon. They are more affordable than you think—and so useful.

Here are a few ideas for stamps you can order to use in your everyday life:

• Custom Return Address Stamp
• From the Library of Stamp
• Custom Logo stamp for Small Biz Owners
• Custom Book Embosser
• Kids Art Stamp
• Custom Portrait Stamp (we used this for our wedding invitations)
• Personalized Teacher Stamp

Custom Address Stamps

Each time we move to a new home, I order a custom return address stamp from Etsy. This is the exact design I am currently using, and this is the address stamp I chose for our next home.

Links: Parker Stamp / Andersons Stamp / First Name Stamp / Williams Stamp / Thompson Stamp / Hampton Stamp

Custom Teacher Stamps

I have found so many great options for teacher stamps. These stamps are helpful for grading and personalizing notes from teachers.

Links: Bitmoji Stamp / Like Stamp / Face Stamp / Sign and Return Stamp / Classroom Stamp / Seal of Approval Stamp

Custom Library Stamps

After I built my kids a hidden library, I ordered them a stamp to personalize their books. We don’t do it for every single book, but the kids enjoy adding the stamp and it’s great for books. I give them as gifts, too.

Links: Embossed Stamp / Moon Stamp / Teachers Stamp / Feather Stamp / Leaf Border Stamp / Cursive Stamp

Custom Wax Seals

I purchased an L monogram stamp from Etsy. You can also create fully custom designs. I love choosing from the different colors of melting wax. Wax seals are such an old-fashioned, luxurious way send a letter.

An important note is that when you send a wax sealed envelope in the mail you need to add 15 to 20 cents for “non-machinable surcharge.”

If you don’t want to pay the extra postage, I recommend using your wax seal for cards you will hand out in person instead.

Links: Sealing Wax Sticks / Eucalyptus Wax Stamp / Letter Wax Stamp / Wax Seal Set / Sealing Wax Kit / Swan Wax Stamp

Related links:

• How to Carve Your Own Stamps
• Make Your Own Stamped Necklace
• Gold Stamped Ring Dish

Making candles is an easy DIY project that anyone can do. It does require a few basic supplies, including a stovetop or something similar to melt the wax.

I love to make candles for myself, as I almost always have a candle burning in my kitchen every evening. I also love to give homemade candles as gifts.

A DIY candle makes a great housewarming gift, wedding gift, birthday, Mother’s Day, or holiday gift. Or at least I think so, as I LOVE candles!

Candle Making Supplies – Basics

• Wax – beeswax, soy, paraffin, palm, or gel
• Wick – ECO wicks, hemp, or wood (different sizes based on how thick your candle will be)
• Wick stickers or hot glue and glue gun
• Scent – essential oils or blends
• Containers/vessels
• Melting pot and larger pot – to create a double boiler
• Kitchen thermometer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing spoon
• Clothespin or other stick to hold wick in place (pencils, skewers, chopsticks, etc.)
• Candle wick trimmer or scissors
• Kitchen scale (optional but helpful)

How to Make a Candle – the Basics

1. Measure out your wax. The easiest way to do this is to fill your container that will become your candle with the wax pellets. Then, use your kitchen scale to find the weight so you know how much scent oil to use.
2. In your melting pot, add the wax.
3. In your larger pot, add enough water so it will cover your melting pot at least halfway.
4. Heat the larger pot with the water and melting pot over medium heat. This is essentially a double boiler, like you might use to melt chocolate. While you can melt the wax in the melting pot directly, using a double boiler ensures the wax doesn’t overheat.
5. Heat the wax to 185°F. Use your thermometer to check.
6. Stir in the scent oil so it gets well distributed.
7. Turn off the heat and allow your wax mixture to cool to 125°F before pouring.
8. While the wax melts (or as it cools off), add your wick to the container. Use a wick sticker or hot glue to stick the metal bottom of the wick to the bottom center of the container. Then, use a clothespin or stick to wrap the top of the wick around so it will stay center once you pour in the wax.
9. Pour the wax into your container. If the wick shifts around, fix it while the wax is still hot and very liquid.
10. Once your candle hardens, you’re ready to trim the wick and use it!

Types of Wax & Wicks

• Beeswax – natural, has a subtle sweet fragrance without adding oil, but can be more expensive. See how to make your own bee’s wax candles.
• Soy wax – natural, but often a blend so check the label. Usually more affordable than beeswax. See how to make soy candles.
• Paraffin wax – most economical but the least natural of these options
• ECO wicks – made from cotton and paper
• Hemp wicks – made from hemp
• Wood wicks – check out DIY wood wick candles to learn more

While there are other types of waxes and wicks beyond those listed above, these are likely what you will want to use as a beginner.

What is Scent Throw?

Scent throw is exactly what it sounds like; it is the radius around your candle where the scent will reach as it burns. There are four factors that affect scent throw:

• The type of wax
• Thickness of the wick
• Amount of scent oil used
• Temperature of the wax when you add the scent oil

While you may want to use different types of waxes for cost or health reasons, just know that generally the hotter the melting point of the wax the smaller the scent throw will be.

As far as how much scent oil to add, you may think adding more will always mean a larger scent throw. Not true. If you add too much oil, it can weigh down in the wax.

You should aim for 1 ounce of scent oil for every 1 pound of wax (generally). This is why you may want to use a kitchen scale once you’ve measured how much wax will fit your container so you can best calculate how much scent oil to use.

How to Make Molded Candles

Making a candle in a mold is a little different because you will not need a container. You can reuse molds over and over if you care for them. See this tutorial for a flower pillar candle DIY for step-by-step instructions and tips for success.

Here are some cute molds:

• Bubble candle molds
• Twisted candle stick molds
• Knot candle mold
• Geometric candle molds

Where to Buy Containers:

• Used: thrift stores, cleaned out food containers like pickle jars, or other used glass or porcelain containers you may have. Do not use containers that can melt or catch fire, like plastic.
• New: pretty pink glasses, colorful handblown glass, a footed planter
• See how to easily remove candle wax from used candle containers so you can reuse them again!

Print

How to Make Candles: Beginner’s Guide

step-by-step tutorial on how to make candles at home

Keyword candle making

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Author Emma Chapman

Equipment

• melting pot
• larger pot
• kitchen thermometer
• measuring cups and spoons
• mixing spoon
• clothespin or sticks or holding wick
• wick trimmer or scissors
• kitchen scale optional

Ingredients

• wax
• wick
• wick stickers or hot glue
• scent oil or blend
• container or mold

Instructions

• Measure out your wax – the easiest way to do this is to fill your container that will become your candle with the wax pellets. Then, use your kitchen scale to find the weight so you know how much scent oil to use.
• In your melting pot, add the wax.
• In your larger pot, add enough water so it will cover your melting pot at least halfway.
• Heat the larger pot with the water and melting pot over medium heat. This is essentially a double boiler, like you might use to melt chocolate. While you can melt the wax in the melting pot directly, using a double boiler ensures the wax doesn’t overheat.
• Heat the wax to 185°F. Use your thermometer to check.
• Stir in the scent oil so it gets well distributed.
• Turn off the heat and allow your wax mixture to cool to 125°F before pouring.
• While the wax melts (or as it cools off), add your wick to the container. Use a wick sticker or hot glue to stick the metal bottom of the wick to the bottom center of the container.

  Then, use a clothespin or stick to wrap the top of the wick around so it will stay center once you pour in the wax.
• Pour the wax into your container. If the wick shifts around, fix it while the wax is still hot and very liquid.
• Once your candle hardens, you’re ready to trim the wick and use it!

Plus, there are SO many different ideas for clay bead bracelets! I’m going to share lots in this post, but you can dream up so many more.

Clay beads are usually made of polymer clay and come in any and every color you can think of. Clay bead bracelets are fun to make for many ages, including older kids.

I actually bought my 13-year-old niece the same clay bead kit I bought myself and we both love making jewelry from it. Also, keep in mind any of these clay bead bracelet ideas could be repeated or made larger into a necklace if you wanted.

Related: Shrinky Dinks – Ultimate Guide

Clay Bead Bracelet Supplies:

• Clay beads
• Elastic cord/Crystal string – I like to use colors but clear works well, too.
• Acrylic letter beads and other accent beads or charms (some kits come with these)
• Crimping beads – for closures
• Connectors – I use these on bracelets with an elastic cord so you can pull it over your hand, so you don’t need to fasten a clasp, which can be difficult one-handed.
• Scissors – the smaller, the better (some jewelry pliers would work for this too)
• Jewelry pliers – for crimping beads and other jewelry making tasks
• Bead board – or a felt to cover your work surface

There are many different ways you can design your clay bead bracelet with different accessories or clasp and closures. But these are the basic supplies that I used to make the bracelets you see pictured.

How to Make Bead Bracelets:

• Design your bracelet. I like to lay out the beads on my bead board to make sure I am happy with my design before I start stringing the beads together. This way, I can make sure I like the colors or I can change out the charms or other accent beads I’m using in my design.
• Cut a piece of elastic cord twice as big as the widest part of your hand so you have plenty to work with.
• Loop the bottom of the cord through a crimping bead, then one side of the connector, then back through the same crimping bead again.
• Use your pliers to crimp (smash down) the crimping bead, fastening the cord in place.
• String your design onto the cord.
• Check that the bracelet is the length you design (if not, add or take off beads).
• Add another crimping bead to the end, loop the cord through the other side of the connector, and then through the same crimping bead and pull tight.
• Use your pliers again to crimp down on the bead, fastening the cord in place.
• If you have extra cord on either side, you can snip it off and/or tuck it into the beads beside it.

Clay Bead Bracelet Ideas:

Here are some ideas for different kinds of designs and color combinations you can try!

• Multicolored! You can repeat the colors or just add them at random.
• Use all primary colors (red, blue, yellow)
• Use all secondary colors (orange, green, purple)
• Monochromatic – use all one tone or only one color bead for a solid look.
• All white or black
• Break up clusters with charms or a glass bead.
• Add your name or a friend’s name for gifting.
• Add a charm or multiple charms for a charm bracelet look.
• Fill most of the bracelet with small gold beads and use the colored clay beads as an accent.

Where to Buy Beads?

Below, I will link many of the specific beads and charms I’ve bought online. But also keep in mind that you can buy beads and jewelry making supplies from many different places like thrift stores, estate sales, Etsy and eBay.

Also, if you have old jewelry that you no longer wear, you might take it apart and repurpose it in your designs.

1. My favorite basic clay bead bracelet kit (includes cord and tools)
2. Metal letters
3. Fruit charms
4. Mushroom beads
5. Freshwater pearl beads

DIY clay bead bracelets are such a fun project anyone can do. I also love that it’s something you can work on while watching a movie.

Related: 15 Crafts You Can Do While Watching TV

More Easy DIY Projects:

• Weaving Class: The Basics – A step-by-step guide for beginners
• How to make a Marble Clay Ring Dish
• Learn to make Homemade Bath Bombs

Print

Clay Bead Bracelet – Ideas

how to make clay bead bracelets plus lots of ideas for designs

Keyword crafts, jewelry making

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Author Emma Chapman

Ingredients

• clay beads
• elastic cord
• letter beads or other accents optional
• crimping beads
• connectors
• scissors
• jewelry pliers
• bead board

Instructions

• Design your bracelet – I like to lay out the beads on my bead board to make sure I am happy with my design before I start stringing the beads together. This way I can make sure I like the colors or I can change out the charms or other accent beads I’m using in my design.
• Cut a piece of elastic cord twice as big as the widest part of your hand, so you have plenty to work with.
• Loop the bottom of the cord through a crimping bead, then one side of the connector, then back through the same crimping bead again.
• Use your pliers to crimp (smash down) the crimping bead, fastening the cord in place.
• String your design onto the cord.
• Check that the bracelet is the length you design (if not, add or take off beads).
• Add another crimping bead to the end, then loop the cord through the other side of the connector, then through the same crimping bead and pull tight.
• Use your pliers again to crimp down on the bead, fastening the cord in place.
• If you have extra cord on either side, you can snip it off and/or tuck it into the beads beside it.

Notes

Design ideas to try:

• Multicolored! You can repeat the colors or just add them at random.
• Use all primary colors (red, blue, yellow)
• Use all complimentary colors (orange, green, purple)
• Monochromatic – use all one tone or only one color bead for a solid look
• All white or black
• Break up clusters with charms or a glass bead
• Add your name or a friend’s name for gifting
• Add a charm or multiple charms for a charm bracelet look
• Fill most of the bracelet with small gold beads and use the colored clay beads as an accent.