7 Ways to Show Off Your Creativity!

Ugh, Pinterest. We have such a love/hate relationship with you. With the advent of this ultra creative app came hundreds of thousands of craft and other ideas and, along with it, an unhealthy amount of self-loathing. We kid, we kid. The truth is, though, not everyone is born with a Martha Stewart gene. Just because all of us aren’t innate crafties doesn’t mean we can’t hone that side of our brain, though. Need some inspo? Read on for seven ways to show off your creativity. Go forth and get pinteresting.

Create Your Own Luminaries

Is there anything more whimsical than a walkway up to someone’s house that’s lit with luminaries? We think not. And while there are plenty of places you can buy things like this, why not get the creative juices flowing and make your own? As this LifeHack.org article notes, all you have to do is “wrap some yarn or twine around a jar, paint it, and peel the yarn away once it’s dry: you’ll be left with a gorgeous luminary for tea lights or candles.” It’s especially wonderful during the holidays, and your party guests will “ooh” and “ahh” as they head to your front door.

Make Your Own Chalkboard Wall

This is especially handy at back-to-school time, so add it to your fall projects list. Put it in the kitchen or another heavily trafficked area so you can write notes to one another about assignments, chores, appointments, and even just words of encouragement. Prep the wall by filling in any holes with spackling paste and then sanding it. Tape the edges to avoid getting chalkboard paint on the wall. Apply a thin coat of your chalkboard paint. When it’s thoroughly dried, prime it by applying the thick side of the chalk all over it. Erase the entire wall and it’s ready for your doodles!

Make an Audio Visualizer

Music makes any soiree better but if you make an audio visualizer presentation; you’re taking this to the next level. Party guests will be delighted as you create dynamic visuals that dance in time with the music. 3D models move, rotate, and pulse with the beats. If you create a presentation that you’re particularly proud of, you can download it, edit it further, and share it to sites like Vimeo and YouTube.

Create Your Own Favors With Sharpie Mugs

This is about as easy as a project will get. Grab a sharpie and some blank mugs. Write your message or draw your design on the inside our outside of the mug. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 and the message/design will be permanent (although hand washing is probably the safest bet). These are ideal for wedding or other kinds of favors.

Make Pebble Placemats

If you live close to the beach, you’ve likely wondered what to do with all those pebbles you and your kids have collected over the years. Pick out the best of the lot and glue to them to felt or wood using a hot glue gun. The pebbles don’t have to match. In fact, we love the look of mixed ones the best. However, they do need to be flat if you plan on using them to place things on top of them.

Fashion a Raised Box Garden

Many people assume they can’t have a garden if they don’t have a big yard or they are rent as opposed to owning a home. A raised box garden will let you grow your own food from anywhere! Ask for help from your local Lowe’s or Home Depot, or follow these WikiHow instructions on how to create the wooden box. Once that is up, staple in a barrier cloth to keep pests and vermin out as well as a weed cloth to prevent weeds from growing. These will help to keep your garden tidy. Add the soil and seeds for whatever you decide to grow. There’s no better feeling than enjoying that first harvest.

Make Your Own Retro Dog Bed

If you’ve had a dog for a while, chances are you’ve realized how many dog beds you go through. Cha-ching. From chewed foam to one too many accidents; there are many reasons these don’t stand the test of time. So why not make your own? All you need is a vintage suitcase and some foam or cushions! Open it up, leave the top open, and simply fill the bottom with your foam or cushions. It’s that simple. If you want to get a bit more creative, you can screw on leg holders to lift the bed off the ground. In some cases, you can also detach the top part of the suitcase altogether. Fido will love it and you’ll feel good about reusing something old.