I fully admit, I’m not much of a crafter.
I suppose it’s because I seem to be able to make what I desire out of found objects as-is. I simply enjoy the look of an element in its authentic form without having to touch glue or scissors.
However, I took a walk on the wild Christmas junk crafting side this weekend with a few very easy and cool ideas using supplies I had. And here’s what I came up with!
So if you think you aren’t the crafter type, you may be after viewing these…
(this post contains some affiliate links)
Cranberry Garland
Take this simple cranberry fake garland for example. While I loved the look, the piece I had wasn’t long enough for what I had in mind.
How-to:
Purchase fresh cranberries in a bag.
Thread a large needle with heavy string.
Pierce the middles of cranberries, selecting random shapes and tones.
It doesn’t get much simpler than picking up some fresh cranberries, threading a big needle with some heavy string and getting to it! (creating in front of a kid’s Christmas cartoon made the job much quicker I might add..)
The top is the fake and the bottom is the real deal. How I LOVE the variation of the shades on the latter!
I strung the strands across my blogging area wall unit. Here’s one section. I love how the real berries look against the antiques!
As the cranberries dried, they started to shrink, so you’ll want to reposition them every so often to keep the string looking full.
They lasted about 3 weeks. I imagine they may last longer outdoors however I haven’t tried.
~ Tap handle ornaments ~
Vintage tap handle Christmas ornaments
These fabulous antique tap handles are from Anything Goes Here Etsy. Since I just received them, I had to do something fun with them!
Supplies:
Canning jar rings
Raffia
Vintage tap handles
How-to:
Thread raffia through the handles, then tie to a canning jar rim serving as a frame.
I love how different handle colours and rims still make the ornaments look different and varied!
Mason jar rim wreath
This project came about completely by fluke. I was shopping in a local store that had a garage sale area, and noticed some canning jar rims strung up together with a robe belt.
I thought… they sorda resembled an industrial wreath of sorts, but the tie was too loose. So I brought the works home to play.
Supplies:
Canning jar rims – the deeper antique ones are best for this
A thick rope or something to tie them together with inside
How to:
I literally untied the robe belt, shifted the rims into better positions, then tightened the belt, and BAM! Now that’s one cool industrial wreath for any season!
Tip: The rims were purchased with no rust. Once I hung them outdoors on the shed, the rims started to rust, but randomly. Some did, while others didn’t. That is even cooler!
You can see it on my garden shed over the years HERE
Illuminated jars
My rock fireplace tends to feel dark, so I like to come up with unique ways to light it up a little.
These illuminated jars ended up giving the feeling that they are filled with snow and give off the most exquisite glow!
Supplies:
Various vintage or glass or canning jars
How-to:
Place white mini lights along the mantel.
Position jars in front of the lights.
Fill each jar and their surrounding areas with Angel Hair to achieve a glowy dreamy effect.
Caution: Angel Hair is hard to find these days but if you do, be aware it’s made from real glass so wear gloves when working with it. Also, keep it out of reach of small children or pets for safety’s sake.
Idea: You can get a similar effect using faux snow as well.
Dark mantel no more! The combination of the jars, lights and angel hair has quite an illuminating effect, especially when dusk approaches. It positively glows and really feels like the bottles are lit up.
A little angel hair was also added to the faux evergreen (and very junkified) wreath.
Love the gate? It’s DIY too! Learn how HERE
So there are some very easy Christmas decorating ideas using next to nothing!
Which was your favorite idea?
Love unique Christmas decor?
Visit my entire Christmas collection on one page HERE!
I love it all. You can now join the crafting club,and receive the golden glue gun award.
🙂
Margo
The jar lid wreath is awesome! I want one…how long does it take for the lids to rust?
For not being a “crafter” you do pretty well…that’s for sure! You’re the bee’s knees.
Love your blog! You are very creative!
Blessings,
Susan
My daughter made me a strand of the cranberries when she was young — I couldn’t part with them, so I packed them in a bag until the following year. When I pulled them out, they still looked great! I have no clue how they lasted 2 years; they did dry out some but still looked great!
I ADORE the metal ring wreath above!!
I hate to say, I have no holiday spirit this year. I keep trying to get my butt in the mood, but so many things are weighing me down.
Anyway — kudos to you ~ wonderful job!!
I think you did a great job. I love the the cranberry idea. 🙂 And those cute ornaments?? Darling and super creative. Oh so you Donna! 🙂
I’m tired and didn’t even notice the “rustic junk style ornaments” – LOVE the red one ♥
Looks great! I love how creative you are! The real cranberries are definitely better than fake!
I absolutely LOVE the lid wreath! I must rust some lids soon 🙂
#1 Margo, I’ll take the award, rusted up please, and do KEEP the glue gun. That spells waaaay too much work for the likes of me. 🙂
Donna
#2, the lids were hanging outdoors for about a year before I noticed they were rusting. No idea when they started.
Thanks all!
Donna
Your ornaments are so cool! I love how you make old junk look so appealing! Very creative! 🙂
Ooohing and ahhhing… love the sparkle of the lights with the jars!
I have those same fake berry garlands and love the real ones. Also the ornaments with the faucets are great! You are a crafter. I’ll keep my eye out for the fluffy stuff. Looks so pretty with the lights.
Congrats on your blogging feature in Romantic Homes mag. Great piece!! The gate is wonderful on your mantle!!
xo,
Debra
I made little fresh cranberry wreaths years ago on wire. I think a thin wire hanger. They will last for years. What happens is they dry and then shrivel up. Which means there will be more room on your garland, but they will be wrinkly and shiny and still very pretty. I’ve thought about making some this year. You’ll love them. I love your jar lid wreath. That’s definitely going on my list!
I love how you use simple items and showcase them! The look is magnificent!
WoW! I never thought those junkies we have in the backyard could be use as decors! Nice ideas you have there! I like the iluminated jars they look refreshing. Ejnjoy the season!
aion account
Ok, those ornaments with the tap handles and the rusty rings are a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e. That’s a crafty mind with a vision at work right there! Lisa 😉
Technically this might not be considered crafting, but I think it is genius none the less. Love your rusty garland and really love the makeover you gave your mantel.
Great job!!
You are SO COOL!!! One year, when I was little…we strung real cranberries and popped popcorn on our tree. Hmmm…maybe you just gave me an idea for a new post! Ha!
Now, where did I put that old picture?
: )
Julie M. (Artist/Designer/Crafter)
OMG- I so remember that angel hair from my childhood…my parents lived in Germany and we had tons of that stuff! It was very itchy and I hated it as a kid but boy I wish I had some now!
Real always better than fake. Love the can ornaments, oh I would love to see your mind at work cranking out ideas! Perfect mantel.
You are so creative! I love it!
My favorite is the lighted jars on the mantel. So pretty!
Beautiful!!! Love the rusty ornies!! Very cool! And that wreath is amazing! I miss seeing angel hair. Used to be so popular!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Bravo! You found your very own crafting gene – cool! Love the tap handle ornaments. They would be just lovely out here on the farm!
Love EVERYTHING! I tried to go a bit more unconventional…a bit more rustic in decorating the tree this year. Man HATED it…He volunteered to give it a few days to see if it grew on him. It didn’t. So I undecorated it and went back to my traditional look…Well at least he tried…he really did. …at least I can “visit” you and look at your lovely Christmas decor!
I think you’ve been hiding an inner talent! Love the photos!
How do you come up with all your great ideas and where do you find all this funky junk!!? I love it all! Maybe ill try the cranberry garland…i have some in my fridge. Thanks for sharing! And thanks for the comment on my blog about my pumpkin snowman!!
Crafting is about using something to make something else …. I think you do that. LOVE the canning jar lid wreath.
I’m def an arranger!! 🙂
LOVE what you have done.
I put up white lights on my mantel last year….and loved them so much ~ I leave them up all year round ~ and change out what I put up there
Luv, luv, luv it. Is that a cowbell in the middle of the wreath. Simply gorgeous. Great job.
Merry Christmas
Girlfriend, who told you that you are not a crafter??? You da queen crafter! Love the looks and am heading out to buy me some cranberries right this minute! thanks for sharing your brilliant ideas with us! happy crafting by the way!
For a self proclaimed non-crafty girl you sure do a wonderful job of creating beauty! I adore the canning jar lid wreath, may I borrow the idea? I have tons of lids from my grandmothers canning jars and this would be perfect to use at our farm!
I’d say you are pretty creative, crafter or not.
DONNA! You are so YOU!!!! Oh my goodness! I was squealing as I was reading!
Love the ornaments! And the wreath!
Cranberries will turn into cran-raisins!!! They look so COOL all wrinkling too!!! And you could always put them outdoors for the birdies and critters to enjoy! That’s what we are doing here!!!
According to our dictionary:
Craft (er) is one who does an activity involving skill in making things by hand
(no where is a hot glue gun mentioned!)
So you are a crafter!!! Hee!
And an amazing, over-the-top, unique ONE I might add!
Love,
Kolein
I would say that you are definately a crafter/artist and your medium is ‘junk/treasures’. Lucky for all of us reading your blog that are inspired by your many creative talents.
Hi Donna,
Not a crafter? Um… that all looks wonderfully crafty to me!!!! Great ideas!
Carmen and the Primcats
Really Donna, you are an inspiration. I am so glad you’re doing it up at home with your son. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. What a blessing you have been to me this past year. Lisa~
Donna, it is all just beautiful! Love that wreath & those rustic ornaments too. You are the queen of junk decorating! Merry Christmas.
OK, I love that wreath!! Your ornaments and garland are great as well! I was wondering the same thing about the berries. I see them everywhere and they are so pretty, but do they start to go bad? I guess I will find out! 🙂 Have a wonderful day!!
best. decorations. ever.
One word…INGENIOUS!!!
Love it all! You are a girl after my own heart! The rusty canning jar lids with the tap handles, I want to marry them<3 LOL! Great job! Merry Christmas
I love it all. But the canning jar wreath is by far my favorite. What a funky fun wreath and so simple.
~Heidi
Love your crafting! fantastic look.
You are so clever, I love seeing your creations. A natural crafter I’d say…with a spectacular ability to arrange! 🙂
I LOVE the way your mind works, Donna! You have totally blown me away with all of your awesome Christmas decorating ideas! I love the way you have completely thought outside of the box and came up with totally fresh and new ideas… AWESOME!!
Also… did you get a new camera or something??? Your pictures are GORGEOUS!!!
OK… can you tell I love this post… lol!
Have a great day my friend!
xoxo,
Jo 🙂
I just HEART your junk. Everything ya do just makes me giddy or totally jealous. HA! Seriously you just keep cranking out the AWESOME ideas.
You ARE a crafter, just on a much larger scale than most of us. You use bigger items and more powerful tools! Love it!!
#47, no new camera. Just my goofy little point and shoot still.
My dream is to write an ebook with ALL my tricks on getting the most out of one of these little cheapos. I just can’t do it in simple blog posts. I need more more more room! 🙂
Thanks for the kudos, friends! Wow.
Donna
You are wonderfully creative and make so much out of so little. Sorry to hear that you miss your mum so badly..hOpefully things will get better. I’m having a GIVAWAY…POP ON BY.
Love your junk much more than most of the sugarsweet decorations out in blogland. You rock!
I love those faucet handle ornaments! Have you shown a picture of your whole tree yet? I’d love to see it.
#53 Olivia, no full tree pic quite yet! Photoshoot just done today… fingers crossed they turned out!
Donna
Oh MY!! I am a crafter, who wishes she could arrange!! My old barn is filled with those tap handles… I may hav to go raid. And the lid wreath is divine!! Wish I had one. Lovely ideas. Happy holidays
This has got to be the most original, mind blowing Christmas decor I have ever seen!! How on earth did you come up with these amazing ideas?! You should be featured in every decorating magazine! Wonderful
I just love your decorating -the ornaments are too cool. I think your angel hair -is that the same stuff our moms used to decorate with? If so it really is pretty
Donna, you never fail to amaze me with your creativity. I love your Christmas decorations! Yes, you are definitely a crafter! I too had the same question about using cranberries because I wanted to add them to my decorations this year. Thanks to your readers I now know!
~ Tracy
I have always adored your canning lid wreath but I love what you have done with the lids and the tap handles ~ you are a genius!! Hugs to you Donna. xo
Oh and I did not read thru all your comments but your cranberries should be fine right thru til New Years!
Donna, you are SO creative!! Thanks for sharing these ideas with us!
~michelle~
I absolutely LOVE your ideas and creativity with these decorations! You shouldn’t say you’re not a crafter, because you craft all the time!
I also wanted to say my heart is with you this holiday season, having to go through it without your Mom. I really empathize with you on that.
And finally, just wanted to tell you that I have been SO inspired and getting things done! I’ve been sharing at my blog, I hope you’ll stop by and see.
Best,
~Angela 🙂
Oh, Donna..you are an amazing junker if ever I saw one. I am totally and forever in love with your beautiful mantel. I LOVE the jars with the lights behind them so much better than FILLED with lights. When I was a little girl, glass angle hair was all we had. My mom would caution us kids to be careful as the angle hair could make little cuts on your hands. Now, I can’t even find any.
I love all your cute decorations..and, I am NOT one bit crafty.
\hugs, bj
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
I want those ornaments for my tree and the wreath!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE
I’m a crafter and arranger……not enough time right now for crafting when I’m arranging everybody’s homes for Christmas!
I love the junk ornaments. Really cute idea!!
Such talent! Everything is beautiful and so Christmasy, but in a much more authentic way than what you usually see.
I am glad you added this to Nester’s party.
Not just for Christmas holidays.
Now I’ve seen it all! The rusty jar lids that is!
I am now on a hunt for rusty jar lids because I love it.. Wonder what my hubby will say when he sees mine..lol
good job!
Sandy
I absolutely LOVE the canning jar wreath! I’m on a mission now . . .
Love your wreaths! Actually I love everything you do!
Debbie
How did I ever miss this? Oh your wreath brings back memories. My mom was an avid canner and stored her rings on an old wire coat hanger.
Ah, she was junky before it was funky. 🙂
Thanks for the memories. Happy Labor Day!
yes you CAN wreath! so much creativity in here, inspiring 🙂
oh my gosh, i so love your blog! i’m so glad i stumbled upon it. new follower!!
jjaddox.blogspot.com
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Garden Tool Bag
Love the rusted canning lid wreath!
I love all your crafty decorations! When I was little, my mom used to decorate our mantle with angel hair, and I remember her using gloves and warning me NOT to touch it! It was so pretty! Your mantle brought back great memories, thanks! 🙂
http://underthebeetree.blogspot.com
Ever since I saw this wreath at your “wreath” party, I have been on the lookout for cheap canning lids. Well, yesterday was my lucky day. I popped back over to find out exactly how to make it, and I am super pleased that it is as easy as I thought! I will be making one for my blog this week with a link back to you to give you the credit! Life to the full! Melissa
Donna I love your take on life and junkin! Love Love love the shed make-over!!! Please stop by sometime:)
I love this! I am always looking at my rusty canning jar lids with regret as I toss them. I hate throwing things away if I can find a way to re-purpose things. Thanks!
SO cute! How did you rust the lids?
Hey Tiffany, they rusted naturally outside. 🙂
I have saved a bunch of license plates. What can I make out of them? I am crafty and handy but I can’t come up with any ideas.
Thank you.
hi Donna ! I love the canning lid wreath, and just wanted to know where do I purchase the lids and about how many do I need. also, love repurposing old, rusty objects and this is a great place to find new ideas for old junk ! Love it ! Thanks, Mary Ann
I’ve also seen canning jar lids tied tightly in a circle with a stick in the center for a stem and a few fake leaves to make it look like a pumpkin. You can also add wire tendrils by curling it around a pencil to curl it.
Loving your ideas and creativity. The jars with lights and angel hair look awesome!