Crafty Creations: Outdoor Living Edition – Crafts to Make and Sell
If you love spending time outdoors, you know how important it is to create a comfortable and inviting environment. Whether you enjoy barbecuing, sitting by the chiminea, or simply relaxing in a backyard oasis, there are a plethora of crafts to make and sell that cater to this lifestyle. In this article, we’ll explore various craft ideas to enhance your outdoor living space and possibly earn some extra cash in the process.
Contents:
- Outdoor Furniture and Accessories
- Barbecue and Grilling Tools
- Chiminea and Fire Pit Accents
- DIY Survival Gear
- Garden and Landscape Decorations
1. Outdoor Furniture and Accessories
Every backyard haven needs comfortable and stylish furniture to create a welcoming ambiance. Consider these easy-to-make crafting ideas that can help transform any outdoor space:
Pallet Furniture
Wooden pallets are easy to find, affordable, and versatile materials that can be transformed into rustic yet functional outdoor furniture. With a little creativity and effort, you can create:
- Adirondack chairs
- Coffee tables
- Benches
- Planters
Materials Required:
- Wooden pallets
- Sandpaper
- Wood screws
- Paint or wood stain (optional)
How to Make: Disassemble wooden pallets, sand down the planks, and reassemble them into your desired furniture piece. Paint or stain your piece if desired, and let it dry according to the product instructions.
Outdoor Pillows
Outdoor pillows add an extra level of comfort and style to your patio furniture. With weather-resistant fabric, you can make durable and beautiful pillows that can withstand the elements.
Materials Required:
- Weather-resistant fabric
- Sewing machine
- Pillow filling/stuffing
- Scissors
How to Make: Cut two squares or rectangles of fabric, place them right sides together, and stitch around the edges, leaving an opening for stuffing. Turn the pillow cover right side out, fill with stuffing, and sew the opening closed.
2. Barbecue and Grilling Tools
No outdoor living enthusiast can resist the allure of a delicious barbecue feast. These craft ideas focus on barbecue and grilling tools that you can make and sell to enhance the grilling experience:
Custom Grill Grates
Create personalized grill grates that lend a touch of uniqueness to each outdoor cookout. You can design grates with unique patterns or initials for customers looking for a one-of-a-kind grilling experience.
Materials Required:
- Metal bars or wire mesh
- Welding equipment
How to Make: Cut metal bars to size and weld them together to create a custom pattern or design. Ensure the finished grate is compatible with the client’s grill.
BBQ Tool Sets
A custom BBQ toolset – including a spatula, tongs, and a fork – is an essential for any outdoor cooking enthusiast. You can personalize these sets by adding decorative handles made from wood or other materials.
Materials Required:
- Spatula, tongs, and a fork (without handles)
- Material for handles (wood, resin, or acrylic)
- Wood screws or epoxy adhesive
How to Make: Cut the handle material to the desired length and shape. Attach the handles to the BBQ tools using wood screws or epoxy adhesive.
3. Chiminea and Fire Pit Accents
A chiminea or fire pit provides warmth and a cozy atmosphere for outdoor gatherings. Consider making these crafty accents to enhance the ambiance:
Custom Fire Pokers
A fire poker is an essential tool for tending to a fire pit or chiminea. Create a custom fire poker from metal rods or pipes, and add a personal touch by incorporating unique handle designs.
Materials Required:
- Metal rod or pipe
- Metal bending and welding tools
- Decorative handle material (wood, resin, or acrylic)
How to Make: Cut the metal rod or pipe to the desired length, and bend it into the shape of a poker. Weld any additional pieces, if necessary. Create a custom handle and attach it to the poker using an adhesive or other fastening method.
Fire Starters
Convenient and practical fire starters are a must-have for any outdoor fire enthusiast. These can be made from repurposed materials like cardboard rolls or leftover candle wax.
Materials Required:
- Cardboard rolls (toilet paper or paper towel rolls)
- Sawdust or wood shavings
- Candle wax
- Wicks
- Double boiler or microwave-safe container
How to Make: Fill cardboard rolls with sawdust or wood shavings. Melt candle wax using a double boiler or in the microwave. Pour the melted wax into the rolls, ensuring the sawdust is saturated. Insert a wick into the center and let it cool.
4. DIY Survival Gear
Outdoor enthusiasts are typically well-versed in survival skills and enjoy having reliable gear to match. Consider making these DIY survival items to sell:
Paracord Bracelets
Paracord bracelets are not only fashionable but can also be practical in a survival situation. Create unique paracord bracelets in various colors and patterns to appeal to a wide range of customers.
Materials Required:
- Paracord (nylon)
- Plastic or metal buckle
How to Make: Choose a bracelet-weaving pattern (such as the cobra weave or fishtail) and follow online instructions to create a unique paracord bracelet design.
Survival Kits
Create custom survival kits tailored to specific outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, or fishing. These kits can include items like a compass, whistle, flint and steel, and more.
Materials Required:
- Small container or pouch
- Survival items (compass, whistle, flint and steel, band-aids, etc.)
How to Make: Purchase or create each survival item and package them in a container or pouch labeled for the specific outdoor activity.
5. Garden and Landscape Decorations
Outdoor living enthusiasts often take pride in their garden and landscape. Give them a way to show off their green thumb with these garden-themed crafts:
Garden Signs
Create custom garden signs with witty sayings or inspirational quotes to add a touch of personality to any outdoor space.
Materials Required:
- Wood or metal
- Paint or vinyl lettering
- Wood screws or stakes
How to Make: Cut your chosen material to size and either paint or apply vinyl lettering with the desired quote or phrase. Attach stakes or screws for easy installation in the garden.
Wind Chimes
Wind chimes bring beautiful melodies to outdoor spaces and can be made from various materials such as metal, wood, or glass.
Materials Required:
- Chime materials (metal, wood, or glass)
- Drill
- Fishing line or thin wire
- Support for hanging (e.g., metal ring or wooden branch)
How to Make: Drill holes in the chime materials and string them onto the fishing line or wire. Attach the line to the support and hang in a location where the wind will catch the chimes.
In conclusion, there are plenty of crafts to make and sell in the realm of outdoor living. Use your creativity and craftsmanship to create unique, functional, and attractive pieces that cater to this market. Happy crafting!