As winter drags on, boredom can easily set in. You’ve read the books, you’ve watched the shows, and you’ve played the games- now what? Simple upcycle crafts are a great way to disrupt the cycle of screen time- and perhaps these projects will be the boredom busters you’ve been looking for.
Wine Cork Trivet
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Most of us have a stash of wine corks stowed away in a drawer or closet because “some day we’ll make something with them”. Well, perhaps that day has finally arrived! Because this wine cork trivet is one of the handiest things in our kitchen, perfect for keeping hot pots and pans out of the way and off the stovetop. Not only does it repurpose a bunch of those corks in a single project, but it’s also incredibly easy to make.
Boredom Busters for the Birds
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Winter is a great time to upcycle a coffee mug from the cupboard into this handy suet feeder for your backyard birds. As long as you use ingredients that are safe for birds, then this will surely provide lots of wildlife entertainment during the cold winter months.
Glass Vase Makeover
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Clear glass vases from the florist aren’t all that much to look at once the flowers wilt away. But with a specialty paint from the craft store, you can give them a quick and easy makeover that makes that pressed glass look so much better. (And that fun paint is pretty cheap, too!)
Garage Clipboard
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
The garage is one of those spaces that can get cluttered, messy, and easily out of hand. I can’t tell you how many times I had to buy new gardening gloves because the old ones were lost in the chaos. But this simple clipboard idea is a great way to keep your gloves and such off the floor and out of the mess.
Boredom Busters with Buttons
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
The ole’ button tin or box is a great place to hunt for boredom busting craft supplies- and this DIY bracelet is proof of that. These “coins” aren’t currency at all, but rather vintage metal buttons that have been carefully flattened and turned into bracelet charms. How fun and whimsical is that?
Recycled Seed Bombs
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If you order from a certain online retailer and get plenty of those padded paper mailers delivered to your door, then this is the boredom busting craft for you. The envelope padding is made from recycled paper, and you can re-recycle that pulp into making wildflower seed bombs like these. They’re wonderful as housewarming gifts or wedding shower favors, as well.
Tissue Paper Flowers
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Paper crafts are excellent boredom busters, and can be made entirely indoors if the weather isn’t ideal. Specifically, tissue paper flowers like these are fun and satisfying to make. Especially since they put those old sewing patterns to good reuse if you aren’t making your own clothing anymore.
Upcycled Mirrored Tray
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
There is a specialty spray paint that can give plain glass a mirror-like (or mirror-esque) finish. Which means it’s incredibly easy to turn any old picture frame into a dresser-worthy jewelry tray like this. Easy to personalize and make, a great way to repurpose a picture frame you don’t use, and it even works well as a handmade gift idea, as well.
Indoor “Gardening”
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Fabric is a great resource when it comes to making plants by hand. And in this case, felt is the fabric of choice to make these lovely fake succulents that will always look this good. No under- or over-watering concerns for these little plants- and they can be “potted” in literally anything you’ve got around the house.
Shirt Pocket Sachets
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Got an old button-down shirt you no longer wear? Because there are a surprising number of ways to upcycle them, including the pockets. Making sachets or potpourri pouches for your dresser drawers is just one of those ideas. And the sewing part? Just across the top to keep it closed.
The instructions for this project are found in my book, “Crafting with Flannel”. In fact, there are 55 boredom busters in my book, if you happen to love flannel!
Boredom Busters from the Kitchen
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An old rusted or stained cookie sheet might be in your donation pile or ready to go in the trash. But not so fast- it can be repurposed into a magnetic memo board for your office or as a play station for little kids.
DIY Fire Starters
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These DIY fire starters are SO handy for your fireplace, chimenea, or backyard fire pit- plus they’re easy to make and use things you’d normally toss. Dryer lint, toilet tissue tubes, and wax paper (or newspaper) are the only ingredients you need to make them. Such a great way to repurpose and reuse items that would otherwise end up in the trash or recycle bin.
Boredom Busters from the Junk Drawer
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The junk drawer is often referred to as “Trash Purgatory” in our house, because it ends up with stuff we should toss, but don’t. Thankfully, you can create adorable fairy garden furniture like this thanks to junk like bottle caps and pizza box savers. Boredom busting crafts like fairy garden pieces are extra fun to make because the supplies are virtually free.
Wine Glass Charms
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Cute little charms from necklaces and bracelets are the perfect thing to repurpose into wine charms for your next Girls’ Night In. Heck, you could even make them as the activity for your fun get-together, too- or make a set to give as a gift.
“Board-om” Busters from Games
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Incomplete board games are full of upcycling potential, from the game pieces to the board, and even to the box. But in this case, a vintage Parcheesi board was repurposed into a game room clock using a picture frame to house it. Parcheesi boards are particularly eye-catching, but honestly any game board would do.
Sweater Pillows
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Ok, so this one involves sewing more than one straight line. But if you can handle four lines and have an old sweater that you no longer wear, then you’re in luck. Because these colorful pillows are a great way to brighten up your decor if you’re feeling gloomy.
Boredom Busters for Every Level of Crafter
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned crafter, hopefully one of these boredom busters revs your creative engine. There are any number of craft supplies already lurking in your home- all you need is the right upcycling idea to spark some DIY fun, no matter what the weather is outside.
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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