We've got some fun crafts for you to try at home
1 of 6Treasure chest
My secondhand chest of drawers needed a bit of a refresh, but rather than giving it a modern look, I decided to go for something more old-fashioned and classy. I used gold paint to add some accents on the drawers, then I used chalk paint on the doors at the bottom before stencilling on a design in gold. I’m really pleased with how it turned out.
Alison Payne, Rugby, Warwicks
2 of 6BRIGHT idea
When I went on holiday to Portugal, I brought back some pine cones I’d collected while I was out there. I wanted to display them, so gave them a splash of colour using spray paint. Once they’d dried, I popped them on the windowsill in my kitchen. As well as making a really lovely feature, they remind me of happy times abroad. They’re an inexpensive souvenir, but one I will enjoy for years to come.
Linda Keen, Sheffield
3 of 6MELTING moments
Although the scented candle I’d bought had burnt out fully, there was still a lot of wax left inside the glass jar. So I dug out the wick and metal attachment with a knife, then popped the jar in the microwave until the wax had melted. I poured the hot wax carefully into heart-shaped silicone moulds, then turned them out after they had set. Now I have a stash of wax melts to use that will keep my home smelling nice.
Lorraine Hefford, Clydebank, W Duns
4 of 6PECK up your troubles
I bought some coconut-shell bird feeders for my garden. Once the birds had finished the food inside, I saved the shells and refilled them with a mixture I’d made myself. I melted some suet and added chopped nuts, cake crumbs, seeds and mealworms, which I then packed into the shells. It was the perfect mixture for keeping the birds well fed over the winter — and they went mad for it!
Lucy Travell, Gloucester
5 of 6Who pairs WINS
I was tired of all my stud earrings floating around loosely in my jewellery box, as it meant I always had trouble finding a matching pair. So I attached the studs in their correct pairs to some pretty scraps of paper. Now it’s easy to see what’s available, and if I’m going away and want to take a few different pairs, I can just pop one of the pieces of paper into my bag — problem solved!
Sarah Bamforth, via email
6 of 6HANKIE dory
With the price of even the most basic items going up and up, I wondered how I could save a few pennies on my shop. Instead of buying a box of tissues, which is just throwing money in the bin, I bought some plain white handkerchiefs. For fun, I stitched little pictures into the corner of each one, along with my initials. They’ll save money — and be better for the environment too.
Sarah Sculpher, Yate, Glos