This is one of those projects that made me stop and marvel – it’s such a good idea!  Sara from Bitz & Giggles made these beautiful jars that function as air fresheners, making your home look prettier and smell prettier st the same time.  With fall merchandise on the shelves it’s the perfect time to replicate these for your seasonal decor.  For other seasons you could add different embellishments in place of the leaves:  silk flowers, glitter, table scatter, or anything else that will fit inside the jar!  [how to make diy gel air fresheners]

Project estimate:

• Water, on hand
• Unflavored gelatin, on hand or $1 and up
• Essential oils, about $3 and up
• Salt, on hand
• Glass jars, on hand or $1
• Silk floral or other embellishments, on hand or $1

Total:  about $3 and up

The post Make DIY Gel Air Fresheners appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Celebrate spring with an easy and inexpensive floral statement necklace inspired by one from Kate Spade that is no longer available.

This necklace can be made quickly made from silk flowers, fingernail polish and ribbon.

Project estimate:

• Silk flowers, $1 and up
• Needle and thread (or 6 small jump rings), on hand
• Mod Podge, on hand
• 6 small washers (optional), on hand
• Paint or nail polish, on hand
• Sealer spray (optional), on hand or about $2 and up
• Ribbon, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total: $1 and up

Sad silk flowers seem to be abundant and neglected in thrift stores so y0u can be earth-friendly and reuse them. Or you can pick up a bunch for only a dollar at Dollar Tree. Look for flowers with closely bunched petals like mums or ranunculus.

Remove the flowers from the stems.

Pick out a mix of small, medium and large flowers.  Optional: Try out some small washers on the back of the flowers to give the necklace some weight. Tip: Glue them on after you Mod Podge the flowers.

Position the flowers. Using needle and thread, sew the petals to each other where the flowers connect. Or make small holes in the petals and attach with jump rings.

Put the flowers in a disposable tray. (I used an old takeout container.) Liberally douse with Mod Podge. You can use a paintbrush to push Mod Podge between the petals of the flowers.

Allow to dry completely on wax paper or a Mod Podge non-stick mat.  Then glue on your washers if using.

If your flowers have color, paint first with white paint or fingernail polish and allow to dry. This will let your final color really pop. For my top coat, I used a mix of yellow and red stencil paint I had on hand that I mixed to become orange.

After the paint dries, you can spray your flowers with a sealer. I used a glossy sealer to give my flowers a lacquer look.

Cut two pieces of ribbon, burn the edges to prevent fraying and glue to each end of the necklace.

The post Tutorial: Floral Statement Necklace appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

I often find inspiration at Anthropologie. There is so much eye candy there! Unfortunately, I can usually only window shop, but that’s OK with this crafty gal. When I saw this pretty flowered mirror on their site (for $128), I started thinking of how I could make my own budget version. I’m really happy with the end result!

I found my mirror at Goodwill for just 99 cents, but I see large rectangular mirrors at Dollar Tree all the time. You might just have some old, inexpensive mirrors already in your home that need an update. I purchased my flowers at Dollar Tree, but, again, you might have some old ones at home that you’re ready to part with.

Project Estimate:

• Mirror, $1 and up
• Silk flowers, $1 and up
• Glue gun, on hand
• Spray paint, on hand
• Rhinestones, on hand or $1

Total: $2 and up

Step one: Cover the mirror with painter’s tape.

Step two: Remove the flowers from the stems. You may need to trim the remaining plastic on the back of the flower so it can be flush with the mirror.

Step three: Begin gluing leaves and flowers to the mirror frame. I decided just to fill in the corners, but you could fill the entire frame to more closely replicate the Anthro mirror.

Step four: Spray paint the flowers and frame. I used a metallic silver paint. If you’re often guilty of overspraying like I am, this project is for you. The more paint on the flowers, the better!

Allow the paint to dry, them remove the tape. I decided I wanted a bit more sparkle on my mirror, so I hot glued rhinestones to the flower centers.

I love my new mirror. It’s shiny, sparkly, and flashy. I hung it over the sink in my laundry/craft room to bring a little bling and pizazz to an otherwise dull space! And I did it all for $2 instead of spending $128 at Anthro. Not bad for a day of crafting.

The post Tutorial: Anthropologie-Inspired Mirror appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Oh, fake flowers.  I love that you last indefinitely and that this forgetful girl doesn’t have to remember to water you.  But I hate that you look so, well…  fake.  If you share this sentiment, you’ll be pleased to see this great how-to from Diane at In My Own Style.  By combining two different types of fake flowers, she came up with a bouquet that looks like a bunch of hydrangeas fresh out of the garden!  Your house guests will have to give them a very close inspection to discover your secret.  Would you have guessed that these weren’t the real deal?  [how to make fake flowers look real]

Project estimate:

• Tissue paper, on hand or $1
• Wire, on hand or $1
• Silk flowers, $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Fake Flowers Look Real appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Wedding season is almost upon us once again!  Are you or anyone you know preparing for the Big Day?  Wedding crafts are among the most popular category of dollar store crafts; when planning a wedding on a budget (and who isn’t these days?) even those who’ve never crafted a day in their lives pick up their glue guns and DIY as much as possible in the name of saving money.  We’ve rounded up some of our favorite wedding-related dollar store crafts.  Wondering what kinds of things you should look for at the dollar store for your wedding crafts?  All of these crafts involve items you can find at Dollar Tree.

[Tissue Paper]

[Balloons]

[Tissue Paper Balloon Lanterns by Kleas]

If you’re looking for an economical, DIY alternative to store-bought paper lanterns, try this easy idea incorporating balloons and tissue paper.  The resulting papier-mache-like lanterns can be customized easily by using tissue paper in your wedding colors.

[White Wedding Favor Boxes]

[Heart Favor Boxes by Shindig Parties To Go]

This project was originally made for Valentine’s Day, but it translates well to weddings!  Using colorful scrapbook paper, plain white favor boxes are transformed into festive heart favor boxes!  Replace the colors and embellishments however you see fit to make them match your wedding theme; the technique remains the same.

[All-Occasion Gift Wrap]

[Fruit Drop Candies]

[Extra Large Star Party Favors by The Cheese Thief]

These origami star favors are super economical; just a few rolls of wrapping paper is all you need to make enough for all of your guests!  Tuck hard candies or other treats inside as a special surprise for the recipients.

[Clear Cello Wrap]

[Cellophane Origami Star Garland by The Cheese Thief]

Once you’ve mastered folding origami stars, grab a roll of cello wrap and some string to make this crystal-like star garland.  Hang them alongside clear Christmas lights for a little bit of elegant sparkle!

[Silk Roses]

[Round Candle Holders]

[Rose Votive Candle Holders by Two Crafty Mules]

Don’t know what to do with all of those silk flowers in the craft department at Dollar Tree?  If you can find roses in the right colors for your wedding, make rose votive holders!  Look for glass candle holders that are rounded to make a nicely-shaped flower.

[Serving Trays]

[Taper Candle Holders]

[Colorful Tiered Trays by Joy’s Hope]

Tiered trays are one of the most popular varieties of dollar store craft.  This variation, assembled from serving trays and candlesticks, uses spray paint to add a pop of color.  (If you use paint that is not food-safe, make sure you do not place food items directly on the trays; use a barrier such as cocktail napkins or cupcake liners to keep your guests safe!)

[Crepe Paper Streamers]

[Crepe Paper Flower Corsages by Under the Table and Dreaming]

Let’s not forget one of the handmade goodies you will need for members of your wedding party and for distinguished guests: corsages!  While crepe paper streamers are a party decorating staple, fashioning them into frilly flowers is a twist you might not have considered!

What are your favorite wedding crafts using dollar store items?

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by DollarTree.com.  All opinions are 100% my own.

The post Shopping at DollarTree.com: Wedding Edition appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Whether you give them as Mother’s Day gifts, use them as wedding reception table decorations, or make them to keep for yourself, these rose votive candle holders by Wanda at Two Crafty Mules add a pretty little touch that you can work into nearly any decor.  They start out with plain glass votive holders, something that you can always find at Dollar Tree, sometimes even sold in packages of two for $1.   Be careful; a project this quick, easy, and gorgeous could be wildly addictive!  [how to make rose votive candle holders]

Project estimate:

• Glass votive holders, $1
• Silk roses, $1
• Hot glue, on hand

Total: $2

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