1) Make a throw pillow out of a silk scarf!
2) One dollar design finds from Domino. Some good ideas, just like their one dollar gift ideas in the last post.
3) Embroidered menorah (very easy and chic looking!)
4) WalletPop’s gifts you wouldn’t know are from the dollar store.
5) Sour Cream Pumpkin Bundt Cake. Doesn’t this look delicious? I would love for someone to give me a delicious cake!
6) Cute bears to sew from felt. A fairly easy hand sewing project. Come to think of it, I would love someone to give me some felt bears, too!
7) Marshmallow guns! No need to buy them, they are simple and inexpensive to make!
Homemade felt stockings. Another fairly simple hand sewing project, and one you can fill with goodies!
9) Free printable 2009 calender. Gorgeous graphics. Print it off at work for no cost at all!!
10) Ok, so I don’t have a number ten. What is your favorite inexpensive idea?
1) Domino has a bunch of dollar gift ideas here, with some clever new spins on some inexpensive classics.
2) Homemade hot chocolate mix. This mix is TO DIE FOR OMG SO GOOD. I’ve not had any kind better that isn’t completely homemade. And sometimes this recipe even beats the completely homemade. There is some serious fighting over this mix whenever I make it. Talk about office politics! You can present it in jars, or baggie it up, put it in a Christmas mug (mason jars and Christmas mugs are dirt cheap at thrift stores, which will make you not only cheap, but green). If you want to get fancy, decorate with ribbon, candy cane, etc.
3) Homemade quick bread such as Pumpkin Plumpkin Bread (this recipe makes two loaves, which equals two gifts, or one-for-me-one-for-you.
4) Have a friend who loves to cook? Make them some Umami Salt!
5) Print wrappers for candy bars or candy canes. This makes a great little work present! Some are even customizable. Here, here, and here.
6) Make small, inexpensive theme baskets. Some ideas: tea, a mug, and honey; bath salts and a candle, mexican hot chocolate and a molinillo (ok, so that’s only regionally inexpensive).
7) Teacup candles (love this idea, it’s great even if crafty isn’t your thing)!
Your Daily Freebies is my favorite deals and freebies board online. Great source for cheap and free magazines subscriptions and other items you can use as gifts!
9) Have kids? Frame their art with inexpensive frames and mats from the thrift store or your local discount supercenter. I have my kids art mixed in with other framed pieces around the house and it looks great. A good present for grandparents!
10) Marble suncatchers. I want a bunch of these on my back porch!
I’m participating in a valentine charm swap and these are what I’m making (I still have to make several more…it’s a BIG swap). I started with plain wooden disks from Michaels and painted them black. I decoupaged corozon loteria cards on the front of each one (that I sized especially on the computer to make them fit). Then I sprayed them with Krylon triple thick glaze. I drilled a small hole in the top and in the bottom of the wooden block, and set an eye pin in each hole with E6000. I added a glass heart bead to a head pin and attached it to the bottom eye pin with a jump ring and added a larger jump ring to the top eye pin. They are big enough to wear as a pendant!Does anyone want to see more step by step pictures? I can take them when I make the next batch!
This pattern was designed and created by Faith Harper. Permission is granted by the author for the pattern’s use in creating beaded projects for personal use and resale. However the pattern itself may not be reprinted without written permission from the author.
My son loves Spider-Man. LOVES LOVES LOVES Spider-Man. He was Spider-Man for Halloween last year and we have high hopes that he will take off the costume any day now!
I designed this pattern with him in mind…use it to celebrate the latest Spider-Man adventure or get an early start on your Halloween jewelry. This brickstitch pattern would make a great necklace or amulet bag!
Filed under: Beading, Clay Jewelry, Holiday Projects, Kid Friendly Projects, Wire Work
Beadwork Projects
Tons of links to Valentines projects from the Beadwork section of the About network
Rings ‘n Things Pattern for Beaded Heart Earrings
Wire Work Projects
WigJig Four Square Hearts pendent
WigJig University Valentine Choker and Earring Set
Polymer Clay Projects
Valentine’s Day Polymer Clay Heart Cane
Sarajane’s Polymer Clay Valentine’s Hearts
HGTV’s Hearts and Flowers Polymer Clay Pin
Paper or Plastic Projects
Valentine’s Day Foamy Hearts Earrings
Projects For Kids
Kid’s Domain Plaster Of Paris Valentine’s Day Pin
Valentine’s Day Necklaces and Bracelets from Kids Domain
Heart pattern for making safety pin jewelry from the Family Crafts section About network
Filed under: Beading, Clay Jewelry, Holiday Projects, Kid Friendly Projects, Wire Work
Thanksgiving Jewelry Making Projects
Cute lapel pin project made with wood cut-outs!
Fun beadwork project…complete with fabulous beaded “feathers”!
A great project for small fingers using satin cord and pony beads.
Thanksgiving Perler Bead Patterns
Two nice perler patterns…a thanksgiving turkey and a gorgeous cornocopia.
Easy felt lapel pin project.
A nice beaded safety pin jewelry project.
A colorful cornocopia pattern.
I love this little guy! He would make a great little pendent!
An easy polymer clay molding project.
The pumpkin seeds get salted and roasted in my house, but if they last longer in yours, you can make this fun necklace out of them!
Mexican pottery clay and water colors duplicates the look of fired pottery for this cool pin!
A lovely indian corn beadwork pattern!
This triangular brick stitch pattern works up into a pretty moon and star earring pattern.
Work up this cool pentacle beadwork pattern to make a choker, a bracelet, or even earrings!
This pretty choker is a great wire jig project!
Another neat Wig-Jig University project…check out the pretty purple moons!
Pretty five point star earrings!
Pretty half moons made with a wire jig super peg.
Honor the Maiden, Mother, and Crone with this triple spiral wire pin.
Filed under: Beading, Clay Jewelry, Holiday Projects, Kid Friendly Projects, Wire Work
<big></b>Beadwork Projects </big></b>
<a href=”http://jewelrymaking.about.com/library/weekly/aa101203.htm”>Mix and Match Halloween Earrings </a>
Use Halloween themed lampwork beads to make some cool, interchangeable earring designs!
<a href=”http://beadwork.about.com/library/weekly/aa090798.htm”> Halloween Patterns </a>
Lots of great patterns, including witches, pumpkins, jack-o-lanturns, and mummies!
<a href=”http://beadwork.about.com/library/weekly/aa083198.htm”> More Halloween Patterns </a>
More neat patterns, including a fabulous skull!
<a href=”http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5762.asp”>BellaOnline Halloween Beading Patterns</a>
Cool bats and devils!
<a href=”http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5386.asp”>Bella Online Halloween Beading Pattern and Links </a>
Another cool bat pattern plus links to some other great beading projects for Halloween!
<a href=”http://beadwork.about.com/library/weekly/aa092297.htm”>Mini Witch Doll </a>
This little 3D witch would make a fabulous jewelry component!
<big></b>Wire Work Projects</big></b>
<a href=”http://www.wigjig.com/jewelry-tools/WJU/holiday/halloween/index.html”> Halloween Necklace</a>
Cool orange and black wire jig project!
<a href=”http://www.wigjig.com/jewelry-tools/WJU/jewelry/jewelrybyG/pumpkin/index.html”>Wire Work Pumpkins</a>
Cool wire pumpkins with lots of potential jewelry applications!
<a href=”http://jewelrymaking.about.com/library/weekly/aa101199.htm”>Spooky Spider</a>
Use beads and wire to make this cool wearable spider!
<big><b>Polymer Clay Projects </big></b>
<a href=”http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_eyeball_necklace.htm
“>I’ve Got My Eye On You! Necklace </a>
Very cool glow in the dark eyeball necklace made from polymer clay!
<a href=”http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_ghost_necklace.htm”>Ghost Toasty Necklace </a>
Another cool glow in the dark polymer clay project!
<a href=”http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_PumpkinBeads.htm”>Jack O’Lantern Pumpkin Beads </a>
Make cool necklaces and earrings with your own poly clay Jacks!
<a href=”http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_witchface_cane.htm”>Witch Face Cane </a>
Make a traditional Halloween witch…complete with hair and hat.
<a href=”http://jewelrymaking.about.com/library/weekly/aa092400.htm”>PC Pumpkin Beads</a>
Cool little 3D pumpkin beads with lots of different jewelry making possibilities!
<a href=”http://jewelrymaking.about.com/library/weekly/aa092600.htm”>Pumpkin Vine Necklace</a>
Make little pumpkin beads out of polymer clay and string them into a cute necklace!
<a href=”http://jewelrymaking.about.com/library/weekly/aa091900.htm”>Pumpkin Earrings</a>
Simple little pumpkin earring project.
<a href=”http://www.enterpriseart.com/freeprojects/index5/index5_files/halloween_jewelry.htm”>Halloween Jewelry Set</a>
Lots of ideas for polymer clay Halloween jewelry sets…matching earrings and necklaces!
<a href=”http://www.velocity.net/~cam/pumpkin/jack.html”>Jack O’Lantern Cane</a>
Very cool “Happy Jack” cane project!
<big></b>Kid Friendly Projects</big></b>
<a href=”http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/candycorn.html”>Candy Corn Pin</a>
A cool candy corn project made out of craft foam or construction paper.
<a href=”http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/ghostcrafts/a/blfcghostn.htm”>Ghost Necklace</a>
Turn a plastic film container into a cute ghost necklace!
<a href=http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/hairstuff1.html”">Hair Fun With Barrettes</a>
Make your own Halloween themed barrettes.
<a href=”http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/hairstuff2.html”>Hair Fun With Scrunchies</a>
Alter premade scrunchies with a Halloween theme!
<a href=”http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/creepy.html”>Creepy Crawly Spider Bracelets </a>
A cool construction paper project!
<a href=”http://www.azcentral.com/home/crafty/1010craftyideas10.html”>Monster Marble Jewelry </a>
Use halloween stickers and flat backed marbles to make these cool baubles!
<a href=”http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/beadedsafetypins/l/blspboo1.htm”>Boo Safety Pin Pattern</a>
Spell “Boo” in safety pin jewelry.
<a href=”http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/beadedsafetypins/l/blspinccorn.htm”>Candy Corn Safety Pin Pattern </a>
A safety pin jewelry project with a cute candy corn.
<a href=”http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/beadedsafetypins/l/blsptombstone1.htm”>Tombstone Safety Pin Pattern</a>
“Rest In Peace” with this safety pin jewelry project.
<a href=http://familycrafts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kckpl.lib.ks.us%2Fys%2FCRAFTS%2Fcandipin.htm”">Candy The Corn Pin</a>
A cute fun foam project.
<a href=”http://www.kathyross.com/hallproj.html”>Hair Pin Ghost Necklace</a>
A very creative use of a hairpin and an adorable necklace!
<a href=”http://www.kidsturncentral.com/holidays/crafts/hcraftr.htm
“>Ghost Necklaces </a>
Make cool ghost pendents out of regular craft glue!
<a href=”http://www.craftown.com/halloween/craft37.htm
“>Halloween Pins </a>
Easy project using mini brooms, ribbon, and candy corn.
<a href=http://www.musiccorner.co.uk/Bead_Work.html”">Pumpkin Seed Beads</a>
Save those seeds when you carve your pumpkin to make this cool jewelry!
<big></b>Day Of The Dead Projects </big></b>
<a href=”http://www.norajean.biz/Day-of-Dead-Grp.htm”>Dia De Los Muertos Skull Cane </a>
Very cool polymer clay cane with lots of cool application possibilities!
<a href=”http://www.azcentral.com/home/crafty/1024craftyideas24.html”>Dia De Las Muertas Pins</a>
A cool polymer clay pin from my favorite crafty chica, Kathy Murillo!
<a href=”http://jewelrymaking.about.com/library/blskull.htm”>Skull Bead Earrings</a>
Used carve bone skull beads to make create these simple earrings!
<a href=”http://beadwork.about.com/library/weekly/aa053199.htm”>Sacred Heart Beadwork Pattern</a>
This beadwork pattern is based on the traditional sacred heart milagro…gorgeous!
Filed under: Beading, Clay Jewelry, Holiday Projects, Kid Friendly Projects, Wire Work
Beadwork
She Stands Tall Peyote Pattern
Red, White, and Blue Beadwork Patterns from BellaOnline’s Beadwork site
Red White And Blue Beaded Bracelet and Necklace
Patriotic Amulets and Earrings
Show Our Colors: Red White and Blue Earrings
Flag Patterns for Looms and Peyote Stitch
Yellow Ribbon Peyote or Brick Stitch Pattern
Wirework
American Flag Wire Work Kilt Pin
Red White and Blue Spool Knitted Stretch Magic Bracelet
Red White And Blue Memory Wire Bracelet
Flag and Yellow Ribbon Bracelet
Remember 9/11 Beadwork Patterns
Polymer Clay
Old Glory Banner Pin and Ribbon Pin
Red, White, and Blue Ribbon Pin
Stars and Stripes Mini Flag Pin
Kid Friendly Projects
Small Patriotic Stripes Beaded Star
Safety Pin and Bead American Flag
Wood, Ribbon, Yarn, and Cloth Projects
Filed under: Beading, Holiday Projects, Kid Friendly Projects, Non-Traditional Jewelry, Wire Work
Dad-Friendly Jewelry Making Projects!
A beginner’s leather working project that easily lends itself to a masculine design
Want to avoid leather working? This project just involved braiding leather cording.
This looks like a watch band that even MY husband couldn’t break!
Whether you use dice or other trinkets, this is a great idea for a personalized dad’s day present!
This Lark’s Head Knot choker is decidedly masculine with leather and wooden beads.
An easy polymer clay project even for little hands!
A beadwork double zigzag pattern perfect for hip dads!
Jewelry Making Gift Ideas For Dad
Lots of ideas including chains, key fobs, money clips, and tie slides
Another kid friendly polymer clay tie tack project!
Variations On The Self Linking Copper Wire Bracelet
Sean Russ’s masculine version of a classic design!
The Self Linking Copper Wire Bracelet
The original article. A simple, elegant project.
A nice finishing technique for masculine corded necklaces!
Show your appreciation for Dad by wearing this safety pin project!
