14 fabulous craft blogs
You’ve got the crafting bug, now you just need some inspiration and a few handy tutorials to get you going. We’ve rounded-up 14 of our favourite craft bloggers – just what you need to help you on your crafting journey.
A Handmade Cottage
If you’re new to the art of pressing flowers, take a look at blogger Jodie May’s step-by-step guide. Her top tip? Keep an eye out for a flower press when you’re rummaging around in charity shops. Alternatively, just use a few heavy books.
Jodie’s blog, A Handmade Cottage features plenty of projects to keep you busy. Grab some varnish, adhesive and a few pretty pressed hydrangea petals and follow her tutorial to make a one-of-a-kind lampshade. Or turn wildflowers into a work of art by framing them. All you’ll need is a frame and some PVA glue.
Barbara Gray’s Blog
If you’re a fan of art stamp-based crafts, you’ll love Barbara Gray’s blog. Her inspirational posts will have you strutting your stamping stuff in no time at all.
The artist and businesswoman behind Claritystamp art stamps, Barbara hosts workshops, blogs every day, and has even appeared on TV to showcase her crafts. The woman is a crafting powerhouse!
Want to add a little Barbara to your craft life? Check out her step-by-step guides, which are posted on Sundays. We like her fantastically-named project, 'Big Tit - Small Canvas.’ And, yes, it’s a bird.
Bugs and Fishes
Don’t let the name of her blog fool you, Bugs and Fishes isn’t about entomology. With several craft books under her belt already, Laura Howard is one of the most dedicated crafters around. Her main squeeze? She’s passionate about felt.
Laura offers dozens of free tutorials, like this one for learning to make lucky felt underpants badges. Other great ideas include her party ring brooches and these felt jammy biscuits which look good enough to eat!
Crafting Fingers
Have you ever suffered from creative burnout? Blogger Anna’s advice is, to be kind to yourself: ‘judge your work through the eyes of a friend.’ Check out the rest of her fabulous tips on how to live a more creative life, on her blog, Crafting Fingers.
Back in 2013, Anna learned a new craft technique every month, making her an excellent resource if you fancy having a go at something new. Why not try her DIY painted wood grain tablecloth or use the free pattern to make your own knitted mug cosy? Anna’s posts are fun and informative and come highly recommended.
Crafts from the Cwtch
With a law degree in her pocket and no inclination to use it, creator of Crafts from the Cwtch, blogger Sarah’s now accepted that she’s an artist – and a knitter at that.
Beginner knitters should take a look at Sarah’s top tips. You will make mistakes and that’s okay, Sarah says, and your new hobby is going to be addictive. If you’ve already got a few miles of yarn under your needles, then why not take a look at Sarah’s easy-to-follow tutorials, like this ‘recipe’ for DIY Knitted Flip Flops.
Keen to share what she’s discovered during her crafting journey so far, we loved Sarah’s post about what she’s learned from her dog Archie. She says that deep down we all have a creative direction, even if the destination isn’t clear. Fascinating stuff.
Little Button Diaries
Old university friends Laura and Tia were on maternity leave when they started their blog Little Button Diaries. They say, ‘becoming mums was very all consuming...[but]...we soon found we could still do the things we loved, even if it was only within the space of a short nap.’
Got some little ‘buttons’ (their nickname for kids) at home? Laura and Tia have some great suggestions for child-friendly craft projects. One of their cutest projects is this pair of easy peasy pjs. ‘They’re the easiest thing ever’, Tia says. They look great.
Little Cotton Rabbits
Knitting has been part of blogger Julie’s life since her mum taught her when she was nine. Now Julie says ‘I knit to keep stress at bay, to have a creative outlet in my life but mostly because it simply makes me happy.’
We’re lucky it does because because Julie is so very generous with her knowledge, posting free tutorials as well as patterns like this itty bitty toy dress. And if you’re in the market for a soft toy, you’ve come to the right place. Full of personality, Julie’s hand knitted rabbits are a delight, and even better, they’re for sale.
Mack and Mabel
Blogger Julie says ‘baby quilts are just the best!’ And when you see her lovely creations, we think you’re sure to agree, and are bound to want to have a go at making your own.
Luckily, the creator of Mack and Mabel uses her blog to share as well as showcase her talent, offering this easy-to-follow beginner’s pattern to guide you through the whole process of creating a gift that family or friends will treasure forever.
Make and Fable
Jewellery maker and blogger Emma Ruth Jones lives a life ‘full of making, creating and exploring’. Her blog, Make and Fable, is packed with fun craft ideas, like her beaded cat ears – an homage to her two cats Aston and Martin.
But it’s her jewellery tutorials that steal the show. Dip your toe in the world of jewellery making with this easy ring DIY. Or have a go at making your own pearl stud earrings. As Emma says, they’re ‘so simple to make, and only require beads and some wire!’
Set Free My Gypsy Soul
Ready for a ‘journey through Modern Bohemia with a freelance crochet designer’? Miki and her partner, Mr B, are a lively pair of 30-somethings on a journey to becoming self-sufficient narrowboat owners, all while ‘proudly brandishing a crochet hook.’
Crochet is, as you might have guessed, one of Miki’s passions. She publishes a free mandala project every Monday, as well as posting tutorials for chic DIYs like spring flower garlands and fashion-centric no-sew boho t-shirts. Miki’s blog will inspire you to add a touch of boho chic to your home.
Shelley Makes
If you need some inspiration for your next craft project, Shelley of Shelley Makes rounds up some great craft ideas. Her birthday-themed crafts are guaranteed friend-pleasers. We loved this homemade birthday-banner-in-a-box, and the goat’s milk and honey soaps look fab too.
For the cupcake loving crafter in your life, a DIY felt cupcake needlebook and matching pin cushion would make the perfect present and they’re so simple to make. Shelley really knows how to explain things in a way that makes her crafting ideas accessible to all.
The Crafty Gentleman
If full-time Digital Marketing Manager and ‘obsessed DIY’er’ Mike Aspinall were to describe the style of his craft blog, he’d say it was ‘classic and gentlemanly, with a touch of quirky.’
His blog will help you make everything from a hand-bound leather notebook to DIY hair pomade. And every now and again, Mike throws caution to the wind, to come up with something completely different – like his felt fajita, which he says is ‘way cooler than yet another teddy bear, don’t ya think?!’ We do indeed.
Tilly and the Buttons
Sewing author, teacher and London College of Fashion grad Tilly Walnes started her blog seven years ago ‘as a way to share my passion for making clothes and connect with other people who enjoy sewing too.’
Tilly has won awards for her content and her sewing patterns, which you can buy online and in shops. Her blog posts are full of tips to teach you to sew like a star, and she also hosts wonderful online workshops that’ll ‘help you create beautiful clothes that you’ll be proud to say you made yourself’.
Girl About Townhouse
Now for some interiors. Caroline Edwards’ blog, Girl About Townhouse, is all about ‘looking for affordable ways to create a home [you] love and a lifestyle to match.’ We love her honeycomb memo board, made with lollipop sticks, ingenuity and glue. And her mid-century-esque DIY plant stand will ‘save you a small fortune’, because as we all know, staying on-trend can be costly.
After all that crafting, kick start a mini spa day using Caroline’s mojito sugar scrub. ‘You can enjoy that glorious mojito goodness, without the calories or the inevitable hangover. In fact this will actually be good for your body!’ Sounds lovely.
What craft projects are you working on this month? Share them with us on our Facebook page, we'd love to hear from you.