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Our Top 5 MUST DO Summer Crafts
Store shelves are starting to fill with fresh boxes of pencils and there’s a faint scent of crayons in the air which can only mean one thing — fall is right around the corner! As ready as we are for evenings filled with crocheting and apple pie, our summer craft to-do list isn’t quite done yet (honestly, is it ever?).
Whether you’re planning a get-together with friends, making a gift, or just looking for a new way to spend a little self-care time (crafting is absolutely self-care), here’s a round-up of our favorite summer crafts to make the most of these last few weeks of sunny days!
Here’s our top 5 MUST DO summer crafts:
#1 – ICE DYE
If you’ve been a member of our CommuniTEA for longer than 5 minutes, then it’s no surprise at all that Tie Dye is at the TOP of our summer craft list. And although we believe tie dyeing is a craft that can be done year-round, summer is especially great for making some gorgeous ice dye.
The hardest part of tie dying is waiting for the dye to set before you can reveal your beautiful patterned creation. When working with ice dye, you only have to wait until the ice melts before you’re able to lay your item flat and see what you’ve made! We still recommend letting the dye sit for at least 24 hours before washing for optimal color brightness.
PRO TIP: If you’ve lain your item flat and there’s a spot or two you wish had more color, try placing ice cubes on the area, then sprinkle on some additional dye powder and wait for the ice to melt. This will fill that empty space with dye, and the method will match the rest of the garment so no one will ever know!
PRO SUPPLY: A Tie Dye Rack. Sure, we may be a little biased, but our tie dye rack really is the secret weapon for keeping your dye exactly where you put it (no items sitting in dye run-off here!) and for tie dyeing with minimal mess and easy clean-up.
#2 – POM POM TOTES
Is there a better summer accessory for going to the pool or visiting your favorite farmer’s market than a pom pom tote basket? We don’t think so either. Use this DIY to dress up a tote for leaving the house, or even attaching poms to a storage basket at home to give your decor some seasonal WOW.
PRO TIP: You can easily swap out the poms each season for a fresh look, or even to match your favorite outfit! Or use this tutorial on other straw accessories like a straw hat or clutch!
PRO SUPPLY: Omegacryl. You can absolutely make pom poms using any yarn you have on hand, but the texture and vibrancy of Omegacryl will give you that polished, professional look that will make it hard for people to believe it’s a DIY.
#3 – POM POM EARRINGS
We LOVE pom pom earrings around here. They’re such a simple way to add a big impact to an outfit for going out, or your next Zoom call. Oh, and did we mention these are made using a FORK?! Find all of the steps and supplies you need to make pom pom earrings with a fork here.
PRO TIP: Just like the tote baskets, you can easily swap out the poms each season for a fresh look, match your favorite outfit or even match a party theme!
PRO SUPPLY: A trim guide. Whether you’re making one pom per earring or multiple, you want to make sure all of your poms are the exact same size so your earrings don’t look lopsided. That’s where the trim guide will really come in handy. You can use the trim guide set in our shop, make one yourself out of cardboard, or even use a quarter!
#4 – DISK BEADED NECKLACES
These necklaces started popping up in retail stores a few summers ago, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon. We LOVE the color block look, and how lightweight they are for wearing on warmer days. This DIY is one of our go-to’s for custom gifts for any occasion.
PRO TIP: Finish this necklace (or bracelet) with an adjustable closure to making removing/putting on yourself a breeze.
PRO SUPPLY: A bead board. This is one of those craft supplies that you don’t know you need until you use one, and then you can never go back. Bead boards make planning your layout incredibly simple and keeps all of your tiny beads from rolling under your coffee table never to be seen again.
#5 – EMBELLISHED FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS
We love a craft level-up, and that’s exactly what embellished friendship bracelets feel like. It’s summer camp meets glamor. It’s art teacher meets Blondie. You can use anything from vintage charms to fork poms to add that extra layer of pizzazz to your friendship bracelets.
PRO TIP: Check out our friendship bracelet Pinterest board to see all of the incredible ways friendship bracelets can be embellished to make them even more uniquely you.
PRO SUPPLY: Pliers and Wire Cutters. If you’re working with charms or vintage rhinestone bracelets, use pliers and wire cutters to easily attach them to your friendship bracelets, or cut vintage rhinestone strings down to size.
Can’t get enough of summer crafting?
Here are a few more DIYs that we are SUPER inspired by:
Be sure to let us know in the comments what’s inspiring you this summer. We can’t wait to see what you make! Be sure to tag us on Instagram @theneonteaparty with your finished projects!