Want to start art journaling, but don’t have a lot of money to invest? Over at eBay, I have written instructions for how to make an art journal out of a notebook (or book or coloring book) from the dollar store. The process is easy, and a lot cheaper than buying a brand new blank art journal. Find out how to make your own art journal here: [make an art journal for cheap]

A month ago, I took a class on art journaling on a whim (I just dropped into a store and signed up for their next class), and I have been having so much fun learning all about a new type of art. Art Journals can be anything you want them to be, but at their most basic, they are a journal that incorporates images and writing. I challenged myself to start a dollar store art journal, so I am documenting the process (along with my tips and journal prompts) over at eBay, so please come over and follow along!

Supplies:

• Coloring book, $1
• Masking tape, $1
• Gesso, $8 and up (buy online at a discount, or use your coupon at the local craft store)
• Scissors, on hand
• Paint brush, on hand

Total: $10

The post How to Make an Art Journal from a Dollar Store Notebook appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If you are like me, you probably have an overflowing recycling bin pretty much all the time – if it’s recyclable, it never goes in the trash! That means I also have a fairly unlimited source of craft supplies. Dig into your recycling bin and make these gorgeous candles by Lindsey at Lindsey Crafter. If you like to save all of your odds and ends of nearly-dead candles or drippy wax overflows, this is a great time to use those up instead of buying new wax, making this a recycling double whammy! [how to make recycled can candles]

Project estimate:

• Empty cans, on hand
• Wax, on hand or $1 and up
• Candle wicking, $1 and up
• Paper, on hand or $1 and up
• Watercolor paints, on hand or $1 and up

Total: $1 and up!

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I’ve always loved composition books, so I was pretty delighted when I saw these composition book jars! Linda from Mason Jar Crafts Love used some easy painting techniques to imitate the classic look of a composition book, complete with front label and spine. They are prefect for use as a desk accessory, or to gift for teacher appreciation! [how to make composition book mason jars]

Project estimate:

• Mason jars or other jars, on hand or $1 and up
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Masking tape or washi tape, on hand or $1 and up

Total: Free and up!

The post Make Composition Book Mason Jars appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Handpainted mugs make great Christmas gifts. Is there a tea or coffee lover on your list? Try this technique and make them something extra special! This stunning floral design by Alison at iLoveToCreate is easier than you might think. (Note that this particular project is done with special mugs and paint markers that are food-safe. If you use other glass paint markers that are not food-safe, you should be mindful of the placement of the flowers and keep them away from the rim where your lips will touch, just in case! You can find more details about the food safe paint pens on the tutorial page.) [how to make painted marigold mugs]

Project estimate:

• Mug, on hand or $1 and up
• Ceramic paint markers, about $3 and up

Total: about $3 and up

The post Make Painted Marigold Mugs appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Did you ever make spin art as a kid?  It ‘s just the right amount of random and messy and bright that make it amazingly fun!  You can easily make your own spin art using one simple tool from the kitchen – a salad spinner!  Over at DIY Candy, Cheryl shared this easy method.  You’ll probably want to reserve the spinner strictly for craft purposes once you’ve used paint inside of it, but the good news is that so far this summer I have seen approximately 1,329 of these things at yard sales for cheap, and I often see them on the shelf at Goodwill.  [how to make DIY spin art]

Project estimate:

• Salad spinner, on hand or $1 and up
• Paper plates, on hand or $1
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  Free and up!

The post Make DIY Spin Art appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Maybe you’re redecorating a room around a specific piece.  Maybe you’re DIY-ing a wedding.  Whatever the reason, there may come a time that you find yourself needing a certain color of fake flowers, but you can’t find just the right shade.  What do you do?  You paint ’em!  Over at DIY Candy you can find a tutorial showing how to take a bouquet of faux floral from almost to just right, all with a little bit of spray paint!  [how to paint fake flowers]

Project estimate:

• Fake flowers, $1 and up
• Spray paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Painting Fake Flowers appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Stepping stones are a great way to add both functionality and personality to your garden space. Haeley from Design Improvised wanted to out some in her garden, so she snagged a couple of plain pavers from Lowes at a price of $1.30 each and spruced them up with a pretty paint job! I love her playful combination of colors and the honeycomb pattern she chose; with the variety of stencils and paints available these days, there are endless design possibilities for this project. Other ideas that popped into my mind include making a “welcome” stone or making one with your last name or monogram! [how to make stenciled garden stepping stones]

Project estimate:

• Paver blocks, about $1.30 each
• Stencil, on hand or $1 and up
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  about $1.30 and up

The post Make Stenciled Garden Stepping Stones appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Hi friends!  I’m so happy to be here, I’m Rebecca and you can find me over at The Crafted Sparrow.  I love walking through thrift shops and dollar stores in hopes of finding some great bargains.  Most times that great bargain doesn’t always fit my style, so I take it and make it my own.  These Chalky Finish Clay Pots are the perfect example of that.

I found these clay pots at my local Dollar Tree, while they aren’t necessarily my style they had a great shape and size.  I knew they would be perfect for some of my favorite greenery from Ikea.  I chose to use one of my favorite paints, Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paints from DecoArt.  You can find the whole line at Home Depot online currently.

Project estimate:

• Clay pots, $1
• Americana Decor chalky finish paint {I used Everlasting & Primitive}, about $8.50 and up
• Foam brushes, on hand or $1
• Painters tape, on hand

Total: about $9.50 and up

I lucked out, the clay pots I purchased had the clear film decal on the front.  Most of it just peeled right off, although if you find a pot that has a sheen or something similar you could lightly sand it to prep the area for the paint.  Otherwise the chalky finish paint should adhere great.

Once my pots were clean and ready I painted the edges with some black paint.  I only did this because I knew I was going to distress them.  This step is optional.

I then painted my entire pot with my chalky finish paint and foam brush.  On my striped pot I did “everlasting” first, on my polka dot pots I did the “primitive” chalky finish paint first.  You will need to do 2-3 light coats depending on the type of pot you use.

Once dry I applied my painters tape for some stripes.  I also cut some vinyl circles with my cutting machine, you could also use painters tape and a round 1″ circle punch.  Another cute idea would be to number the pots {1,2,3}.

Now paint your second color over the tape.  Once dry remove the tape and vinyl carefully.

I then grabbed a light grit sandpaper and distressed my edges and small areas all over the pot.  It doesn’t hurt to give the entire pot a light sanding if you are trying to smooth out any chalky finish paint build up.

That’s it!  Aren’t they cute?!  For $3 plus some other supplies I had on hand I have these great additions to my decor that look like they came from any big named home decor store.

Thanks again to Heather for having me here today.  I hope you will come visit me at The Crafted Sparrow where you can see other fun projects like these:

Numbered Mason Jars | DIY Jewelry Stand | Gold Painted Vine Cups | Striped Ball Jar

The post Tutorial: Chalky Finish Clay Pots appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If your decor tastes run toward the rustic, then you probably appreciate the patina of rusted metal.  Want the look without having to wait for things to age?  Then try your hand at a little faux finishing!  Colleen from Just Paint It! gave theses items – found at the thrift store and dollar store – a rusty-looking finish using only a little paint.  Would you believe that the little tub you see there isn’t even metal?  It’s plastic, and it used to be neon green!  That’s one heckuva transformation.  What do you have around your house that would look nice with a bit of faux rust?  [how to paint a faux rust finish]

Project estimate:

• Surface to paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  Free and up!

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I love these glass bowls by Shannon at Madigan Made, largely because I own the same set of bowls (though unpainted), which I bought because their shape reminded me of vintage mixing bowls.  Shannon had the same thought but too it a step farther, giving hers a colorful makeover!  This is a great way to add some accents to your kitchen decor that perfectly match your room while spending just pennies – these cost about 33 cents each to make.  [how to make vintage-inspired painted bowls]

Project estimate:

• Glass bowls, $1
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Vintage-Inspired Painted Bowls appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.