Introduction to Outdoor Craft Projects

Participating in outdoor craft projects this season can improve the look of your outdoor space and allow the entire family to have fun together. No need to be an expert with crafting. Newbies can easily build up their experience and confidence in a variety of ways.

Here are four projects to try over the course of the next few months. Your family and guests will surely notice the difference in your outdoor ambiance with these great creations:

• Garden markers: You’ll need unused or antique forks, twine, and wine corks. With the fork standing on the handle, wrap twine around the handle and make a bow where the handle meets the fork head. Stick the cork into the fork horizontally. With a marker, write the name of each plant or flower, such as “basil,” “cilantro,” etc. Stick the forks into the soil in front of the appropriate plants.

• Clothespin Flowerpot: Using a recycled tuna can and clothespins, you can make yourself a unique flowerpot (it can double as a candle holder, as well!) Simply arrange the clothespins around the perimeter of the can and insert a plant or flower. Position these around the yard to create a mini herb section or to fill in a spot that needs some greenery.

• Mosaic garden pot: You’ll need a garden pot, which should be washed and dried in the sun for a day. Spray the inside with clear polyurethane sealer to keep moisture from the plant from entering the porous clay. Glue on your tiles and mosaic parts. Get creative and use buttons, stone, and other miscellaneous items from around the house. Once tiling is complete, leave it for one day and then grout. Before the grout dries, wipe off the pot with a soft, dry towel. In a flash, you’ve got yourself a beautiful homemade mosaic garden pot.

• Teacup bird feeder: Round up some vintage teacups and saucers. First, you’ll need to sandpaper the bottom of a copper cap, the bottom of the cup, inside the saucer, and the bottom of the saucer. Mix epoxy and place it on the rim of the cup and inside of saucer using a Q-tip. Set the cup on top of the saucer and hold in place. After about 30 minutes, turn it over and using epoxy, stick the copper cap on the back of the saucer. While that sits, sand a copper pipe. Once everything is dry, place copper pipe inside the cap and stick it into the ground. Place birdseed into the cup and saucer. With this beautiful piece, you will be a hit with the birds and your neighbors!