A flower vase here, a bowl there – a few simple crafty touches spruces up your house and adds warmth and beauty. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Bowl made out of buttons: This elegant bowl can be a centerpiece for your coffee table or side table. You can play around with colors and patterns to match the décor of your house. The project is relatively simple with only buttons, glue, a glass or Tupperware round-bottomed bowl and some aluminum foil.
• Vase from a light bulb: This is a green craft which you can be proud of. An old light bulb can easily be turned into a beautiful vase which you can hang or set up to brighten your room. This is an easy project when done with a little care.
• Paper quilt wall hanging: You can use this tutorial to make your own easy no-stitch paper quilt which you can hang up in a frame. This is a fun way to use up your color paper scraps or even postcards or other memorabilia.
• Designer Lampshade: Make your own designer lampshade to light up any room and make a statement. It is definitely worth the effort and you will have a unique centerpiece which will be appreciated.
• Wall of Plates: This is a low-cost craft which uses vintage plates from yard sales or thrift stores, but it paints a pretty picture. Simply apply wall decal with your favorite quote to the plates to create a wall that makes a statement.

We all know that everyone loves candles. Scented and cute candles make for ideal gifts for any occasion for any age group. If you make the candle yourself, and have it monogrammed to boot, your present will literally make someone’s day. You can even use them to promote an event, your business or brand. People will not be offended that you are using your gift to promote your business, because you have hand-made them.

You can make your candles to match the perfume that the intended recipient normally uses; this will make the gift extra special and kudos to you for attention to detail! These are relatively simple to make and cost you a fraction of what it might cost you to buy them from a lifestyle store. You can make it as budget friendly or as sophisticated and luxurious as the occasion and mood warrants.

What you need:

1. Dauber tools from Martha Stewart’s glass stencilling kit (I use them)
2. Multi surface paint (I use Martha’s)
3. Stencils (I use Martha’s Fair Aisle Dots set)
4. Candle Jar – I use candle jars from Specialty Bottles

You can use one of two different designs to personalize the candle holder. You can use the stencilling kit, the cardstock and the painter’s tape to stencil the desired pattern on the jar. Allow 21 days to have the jar fully cured. However, you can pour the wax into the jar in less than half an hour after you started as the jar would have dried by then.