9 Arts & Crafts Ideas For Self Isolation

If you’re working from home and need a break, or simply isolating and want a change from square eyes from too much Netflix, I’ve put together your guide for some creative ideas to keep you entertained for the next few weeks. Now more than ever, I’m sure we’ll all be looking for creative outlets to keep ourselves busy and for our own mental health. I’m highlighting some small businesses that I’ve come across on Instagram, in the hope that we support the independents like me. You never know, you might discover a new hobby or passion!

If you have some ideas, get in touch and I’ll keep this page updated. I’m also adding ideas every day to my Instagram page stories ‘Stuck at home’

Over the coming weeks, I’ll also be adding my own upcylcing ideas and projects to try at home – you can view the latest here >>> Upcycle Projects

1. Clothes Upcycling

Obviously this is close to my heart, but I wanted to share with you a small business that are doing amazing things – maybe they’ll inpire you to start adapting your old clothes and those jeans that don’t fit anymore! Introducing Sarah who runs the Insta account @makingclotheswithstories – she shows you how to adapt, decorate and transform old clothes.

2. Knitting

If you’d like to give this a go, but don’t know where to start, I’d recommend @laurenastondesigns – Lauren and her team have tutorials and tips on their website, plus you can buy kits or subscribe to a box of gorgeousness every month. Plus, I highly recommend you give her a follow on Instagram – she cracks me up.

3. Embroidery

I find this the most therapeutic part of my sewing day. If you’d like to try it, check out Chloe @Cotton_Clara. They have embroidery kits that you can order online.

4. Drawing

Nope, I can’t draw either! Think again. This guy, Rob Biddulph – he has some beautiful videos you can follow along to, to help you draw characters. He’s doing ‘Draw with Rob’ sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am.

5. Sewing Kits

How about making your own clothes? Tilly at @TillyButtons has your back. I remember her from an early season of the BBC’s Sewing Bee programme and she’s gone on to set up and run a very successful business providing patterns, tips and advice for the novice. See her website for loads more.

6. Crafts for kids

There’s a big resource out there for crafts and activities to do with the kids, but I especially like @fiveminutemum . She posts daily with quick, easy ideas to keep the little ones occupied.

7. Macrame

All the rage at the moment this 70’s knot making craft – I love it and find it so satisfying to create something from rope, cord or string. I’m going to post up a how-to on making a plant carrier from a tshirt soon. In the meantime, follow these guys for kits, inspiration, videos and tips. @modernmacrame

8. Creative Inspo

For more creative inspiration a couple of hashtags to search for:

#marchmeetthemaker – put together by @joannehawker small creative businesses share their story and creations to prompts each day. It’s a great way to get to know a business and discover the people behind the company.

#justacard – @justacard is a campaign encouraging people to support & buy from Artists, Makers, Small Businesses & Independent Shops, many of whom have an online offering

9. Candle Making

Just come across this from The Cotswolds Candle Company – they’ve put together candle making kits (at time of writing). It includes everything you need to get started. More info here.

That’s my round up for now – like I say, I’ll be adding to this and updating this page. Do please get in touch if you have some ideas you’d like me to share.

For additional ideas on mental stimulation, check out @weekendcandy and her recent post ‘10 Things to stop you going ga-ga‘, which includes links to virtual museums, yoga classes, cook-a-longs and much more…

With love to you all, stay safe and look after each other.
Sarah x