Many of us are staying at home at the moment and can’t go out to the shops. I have curated a collection of cool adult craft ideas. Many of these crafts use waste material you might have at home already.
I have talked about the psychological benefits of upcycling before. The therapeutic aspects of crafting are well known.
Crafting is not just a boredom buster. Creating something beautiful is such a positive activity in this currently negative world. It can be a comforting activity when we have to stay at home and can’t go out.
Being absorbed in a creative task while using your hands can be soothing. It is just the tonic you need for a mental pick me up.

Waste Materials For Craft
So you might be sold with the benefits of crafting and think the next step is to go to the craft store to get supplies. Well for many of us that is just not possible at the moment.
With many of these adult craft ideas, I have chosen projects that use things that you are likely to have around the house.
You can upcycle craft with cardboard from Amazon packaging or even toilet roll holders. Plastic bottles, tin cans and yogurt containers are also great resources.
Paper Crafting
There are many great adult crafts you can create with paper. From newspapers, magazines, sheet music, tissue paper, paper napkins and old maps.
In fact, old maps are one of my sources for crafting paper. They are not only very affordable but can add interest and personalize crafts. Especially if you use maps of places special to you.
If you don’t have a particular map you want to craft with you can easily download and print free vintage maps to use.
Crafting With Fabrics
There are so many adult crafts that you can make with fabric scraps and they don’t have to involve sewing. Fabrics are a great way of adding pattern and texture to an upcycled craft.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a stash of craft fabric there are so many ways you can use upcycled fabrics. Fabrics such as old sweaters, sheets, tea towels denim, shirts and blouses. With these adult craft ideas, you just need a few scraps of material and not yards.
Natural Materials
If you have a garden or manage to go out for a walk in your local park. There are many free natural materials you can gather for your adult craft projects. From rocks, twigs, acorns and pinecones.
Other Crafting Resources
If you don’t have everything on the material lists for a particular adult craft project and can’t get to the shop, think can I substitute. Say a craft needs beads maybe you can repurpose some from an old necklace or even make paper beads.
For example, many of the crafts call for decoupage glue such as Mod Podge. If you don’t have any try experimenting with normal white glue. White glue (PVA glue) is pretty versatile and can be used on most crafting jobs. It also makes a great varnish.
Did you know you can print onto paper napkins and tissue paper on an inkjet printer? If a craft calls for a patterned paper napkin you don’t have, just print your own.
The Contemporary Adult Craft Ideas
How To Make Denim Feather Wall Decor
These gorgeous denim feathers are so simple to make and require no sewing. All you need is some scraps of denim and a bit of twine. These are a great craft to do in front of a Netflix box set as it doesn't require too much concentration,
How to make DIY feathers From Upcycled Fabric Scraps
Made in a very similar way to my very popular denim feathers. But these colourful feathers are made with scraps of tartan and plaid fabrics which gives them lovely patterns and colors. I warn you this is an addictive feather craft, soon you'll be wanting to make feathers out of your old plaid shirts.
How to Make Simple but Beautiful Map Roses
The gorgeous roses are made with old road maps, However, if you don't have any old maps you can use newspapers or sheet music instead.
How To Make A Pretty Upcycled Denim Flowers Bouquet
The pretty upcycled denim flowers are made from scraps of fabric from old jeans. You can create a lovely bouquet of denim roses by using jeans of different shades of indigo. Single denim flowers can also be made into gorgeous napkin rings. This is a no-sew denim upcycle.
How To Make Scandinavian Embroidered Hearts Decorations
This is a really simple and affordable craft to make cute embroidered hearts for Valentine's day. Includes a tutorial on how to display them in a cool way on your mantle using sticks and branches.
How To Make A Plastic Bottle Faux Succulents Terrarium
These cute mini succulents are made with plastic soda bottles, the cloches are Nutella jars.
“Stained Glass” Insects
Another craft idea using soda bottles this time to make these gorgeous "stained glass" insects.
DIY Jewelry - Upcycled Silk Scarf Necklace
Make your self some jewelry with an old scarf. This would make a lovely gift for someone. This tutorial includes instructions for making denim beads.
Make a DIY Knot Necklace
I think this necklace would look great made from upcycled t-shirt yarn.
Everything you need to know about Mandala Rock Painting (Beginners Guide)
Collect some rocks and paint some beautiful mandala designs on them.
How To Make A Cool Map Rock Keychain
Another rock craft this one involves printing maps onto rocks. It makes a lovely gift.
How To Make A Repurposed Felt Succulent Garden
This is one succulent garden you can't kill. The materials used are old sweaters, a denim waistband and tin can. Full step by step instructions to make each faux plant. A great fun adult craft project.
How To Make An Upcycled Scandi Woven Hearts Garland
Another craft that uses denim and sweater scraps. These woven hearts are a very popular decoration in Scandinavia.
How To Make Gorgeous Fabric Birdhouses For Your Home
These birdhouses are made with cardboard from Amazon packaging and scraps of fabric. You could use old blouses and shirts to make these even more personal.
Tutorial For A Gorgeous Scrap Fabric Birdcage
The cages are made using wire coathangers wrapped in fabric scraps. As with the birdhouses you could use old cotton shirts and blouses to make these.
Coiled Magazine Page Dish With Lid
What a fabulous way to repurpose old magazines. The magazine print creates a wonderful pattern with these handy bowls.
Paper towel roll art
Can you believe that this beautiful piece of wall art is made with cardboard tubes like the ones you get with toilet rolls and paper towels?
Map Art How to Make a Unique Pet Portrait
A step by step tutorial on how to create a portrait of your pet in old maps. I think that this will work with other papers such as sheet music.
How To Make A Fun Parrot Decor For An IKEA Glass Cloche
This gorgeous craft is a free printable. The parrots look great both inside and outside of the cloche, so if you don't have one you can still make this.
How To Make A Gorgeous Anthropologie Inspired Rabbit Head
This is a fun paper mache craft to create an Anthropologie inspired animal head.
How To Make A Pinecone Flower Heart Decoration
If ever there was an incentive to collect pine cones this is one. Very simple free craft.
Make Your Own Pine Cone Succulents - Running With Sisters
Collect a variety of pine cones to make some pretty faux succulent gardens.
How To Make A Decoupage Tin Can Wind Chime
Keep your old food cans to craft with. There are so many cool things you can make with them, such as this cute wind chime.
Easy Upcycled Marimekko Decorative Tin Can Planters
Brighten up your garden with some gorgeous decoupage tin can planters.
How to Make Gorgeous Free Printable Map Star Decorations
All that you need is a printer, scissors and paper glue to make these paper stars.
Hanging Denim Mason Jar Vase
Upcycled denim wall hanging mason jar vases. Simple and cheap craft a great way to display faux flowers. Note no mason jars were harmed in the making of this craft.
How To Make Fun Faux Framed Moth Taxidermy
This is such a fun way to craft with denim and fabric scraps. A great project for nature lovers too.
How To Make A Paper Flower Wall Decoration
If you can get hold of some colored crepe paper this is a fun craft. It will certainly brighten up your home.
Paper succulent tutorial
These paper succulents look so real. Full step by step tutorial.
DIY cardboard cacti
Another use for your cardboard packaging. Turn it into a cool cacti display.
How To Make Rainbow DIY Pom-Pom Flowers Decoration
This craft is a great yarn stash buster and fun to make. The pom-pom flowers are inspired by the famous Marimekko Unikko poppy design. The colorful rainbow flowers will brighten up any home.
How To Make Tassels From Repurposed Denim
Turn your denim scraps into cute tassels. Then, add color with some cute DIY pom-poms and embroidery thread.
How To Make Unique Shibori Indigo Planters
Shibori dye kits are readily available online. They make for a fun afternoon indigo dying fabrics in the garden on a sunny day. These planters are made with tin cans and old socks.
How To Make Cool Marimekko Plastic Bottle Planters
Not only do these herb planters look great they are self-draining too. All made from upcycled rubbish.
How To Make Fabric Flowers From Old Bed Sheets
This is a cool way to upcycle old bedsheets into flowers. The way the petals are coloured is fun too.
How To Make Repurposed Pom Pom Jeans Flowers
Make a gorgeous bouquet of indigo flowers for your mantle using your old jeans. This craft is a very affordable fun denim upcycle. It can be either a sew or no-sew denim craft.
How To Make A Paper Mache Bowl With Decoupage
All you need is some newspaper and glue to make these Anthropologie inspired Nature Table paper mache bowls.
How To Make A Cute Fabric Mushroom Display
These super cute whimsical fabric mushrooms are printed on a bedsheet using an inkjet printer.
How To Make Upcycled Denim Patchwork Quilted Stars Decoration
This fun sewing craft makes great use of those denim scraps from other projects.
Heart Shaped Felt Brooch
This is a really easy tutorial for making a fun heart-shaped brooch. The colorful brooch is made up of small felt flowers, made from scraps. A very easy and affordable craft for either Valentine's day or Mother's day.

Donna @ Modern on Monticello
Fabulous list of great crafts and ideas. I totally agree that crafting or making something with your hands is therapeutic for these times. Thanks for sharing each week at #HomeMattersParty. I look forward to your post next week.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, and thanks for hosting. I will be back this week.
Dee | Grammy's Grid
These are all interesting but love the ones made of denim!!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much, me too.
Michelle Leslie
Stunning roundup Claire. Thank you, it’s just what I needed right now
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Michelle. Hope you are keeping well.
Lisa | Handmade in Israel
Love the denim feathers. Going to look how to make them right now! So many great ideas here. Thank you!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they are a lovely relaxing craft to make. They don’t require too much concentration.