My name is Lizzie Brown and I love crafting.
My Story
When I was 11 years old, my grandmother taught me how to knit. Aside from elementary school art projects, this was my introduction to crafting and making things by hand.
I loved knowing I was making something myself, rather than buying it. However, I found every time I made something, I wanted to give it away. I loved giving people gifts I had made myself perhaps more than I loved actually making them. I knew the gifts were that much more special and sentimental, because I had taken the time to weave the threads together rather than buying it. Even if I had made a scarf that was not as appealing as some store bought options, that scarf was more appreciated.
After a couple years of knitting and some crocheting, I spotted a colorful book at my aunt’s house. It was Rubbish a book on how to make recycled and reused items. There were home décor, jewelry, bags, and other accessories. There was one particular piece that caught my eye—a belt made of recycled soda can tabs and ribbon. It looked cute and fun and very do-able, so I started saving the can tabs anytime I or my friends had soda. Soon, I had 20 can tabs. I was too impatient to collect the 60 more I needed belt, so I opted for a bracelet.
With 20 can tabs, 50 cents of green ribbon and 30 minutes, I made my first can tab bracelet. It was simple, easy, and different and I loved it. I decided to make more bracelets for Christmas presents that year. My friends wore them around school, and I got more and more compliments from my classmates. Some even asked me to make bracelets for them. This success of the bracelets gave me the confidence and drive to not only continue with crafting, but expand it.
The Site
Since then, I have expanded my portfolio of homemade gifts to include bottle caps, painting, and much more. Some of the methods I have used are featured on here along with works people have made by going above and beyond.
My goal is to provide instruction and insight on crafting so those who are interested in making gifts by hand may get ideas from this site. For crafts requiring the knowledge for a specific technique, I have provided written and visual instructions. For recycled and reused crafts, I have provided many ideas on what to create and how to use the given recycled material.
This site by no means shows all the possibilities for homemade gifts, but it may be a good start for inspiration and basic beginner instructions.
My Story
When I was 11 years old, my grandmother taught me how to knit. Aside from elementary school art projects, this was my introduction to crafting and making things by hand.
I loved knowing I was making something myself, rather than buying it. However, I found every time I made something, I wanted to give it away. I loved giving people gifts I had made myself perhaps more than I loved actually making them. I knew the gifts were that much more special and sentimental, because I had taken the time to weave the threads together rather than buying it. Even if I had made a scarf that was not as appealing as some store bought options, that scarf was more appreciated.
After a couple years of knitting and some crocheting, I spotted a colorful book at my aunt’s house. It was Rubbish a book on how to make recycled and reused items. There were home décor, jewelry, bags, and other accessories. There was one particular piece that caught my eye—a belt made of recycled soda can tabs and ribbon. It looked cute and fun and very do-able, so I started saving the can tabs anytime I or my friends had soda. Soon, I had 20 can tabs. I was too impatient to collect the 60 more I needed belt, so I opted for a bracelet.
With 20 can tabs, 50 cents of green ribbon and 30 minutes, I made my first can tab bracelet. It was simple, easy, and different and I loved it. I decided to make more bracelets for Christmas presents that year. My friends wore them around school, and I got more and more compliments from my classmates. Some even asked me to make bracelets for them. This success of the bracelets gave me the confidence and drive to not only continue with crafting, but expand it.
The Site
Since then, I have expanded my portfolio of homemade gifts to include bottle caps, painting, and much more. Some of the methods I have used are featured on here along with works people have made by going above and beyond.
My goal is to provide instruction and insight on crafting so those who are interested in making gifts by hand may get ideas from this site. For crafts requiring the knowledge for a specific technique, I have provided written and visual instructions. For recycled and reused crafts, I have provided many ideas on what to create and how to use the given recycled material.
This site by no means shows all the possibilities for homemade gifts, but it may be a good start for inspiration and basic beginner instructions.