Use our Craftmas materials to create handmade presents

Seen our Craftmas offer and need some inspiration on what to make?

Here's a few crafty ideas that mix and match the materials currently on offer in the arts shop (plus some great creations by our arts shop staff!), so you can pick up a handful of things and turn them into a wholesome handmade gift.

1. Felt keyring/bauble 🔑🎄

Design a little character or icon and turn it into a soft keyring or bauble to be hung on Christmas tree. 

You'll use: 

• Felt squares, felting wool and needle tools
• Embroidery thread and needles
• Beads (optional) 
• Glue (optional) 
• Ribbon (optional)

Method:

• Cut two identical shapes out of felt (for example, a penguin, polar bear, heart or anything they'll love – look at the examples our arts shop staff did below for inspiration!👇)
• Add details on the front piece. Stitch on eyes and a mouth with embroidery thread or needle felt details for hair or a hat etc.
• Layer the two felt pieces together and stitch around the edge, leaving a small gap to lightly stuff with wool before closing. 
• Attach a ribbon or thread loop at the top and secure it well, ready to clip onto a keyring, bag clip or hang on the tree.

Small, personal and so easy to customise to different people. 

2. Wall Hanging 🪡

Create a small mixed-media wall hanging that combines embroidery, felt and beads. 

You'll use:

• Embroidery ring, threads, needles and Aida fabric
• Felt squares and wool (for small shapes/3D bits) 
• Beads 
• Ribbons
• Glue

Method:

1. Stretch Aida fabric in your embroidery ring. 
2. Stitch a simple phrase, symbol or line drawing in the centre (think initials, a favourite word, inside joke) 
3. Cut small shapes from felt (stars, clouds, flowers etc.) and stitch or glue them around the main design.
4. Sew or glue beads into the felt shapes or scatter them like little highlights. 
5. Attach ribbons to the bottom of the hoop so they hang down, and add a loop of ribbon at the top to hang it. 

This is a concept that can use all or just a few of these materials, so you can make the finished piece relatable to the person you're gifting it to. 

3. Custom Gift Set 🔖

Create a mini gift set that includes a hand-printed card, matching gift tag and decorated wrapping. 

You'll use: 

• Lino and lino tools
• Glitters
• Glue
• Ribbons
• Beads (optional)

Method: 

1. Carve a simple lino design. 
2. Print your design onto blank cards and tags. 
3. Once dry, add glue in small areas and sprinkle glitter to add a more festive feel. 
4. Decorate your wrapping paper (plain brown and white works well) with repeat lino prints. 
5. Use ribbon to tie everything together (and if you're feeling extra, thread a few beads onto the ribbon ends before knotting them). 

A fun printing session that creates a personalised look to all of your gifts – they'll love the artsy effort you put in! 

Look out for the cardboard Christmas trees, decorations and sustainably wrapped presents in our arts shop stores👇

4. Beaded Clay Bookmark 📚

Make one or a set of handmade bookmarks with charms, great for bookworms! 

You'll use: 

• Beads
• Fimo modelling clay
• Glues
• Ribbons

Method: 

1. Roll small Fimo modelling clay shapes (starts, hearts, initials etc.), and add a hole with a needle before baking. 
2. Bake according to instructions, let them cool, then add some glitter using glue if you want some sparkle. 
3. Cut lengths of ribbon to bookmark size. 
4. Thread beads and your Fimo charms onto the ends of the ribbon and secure with knots and/or glue. 

Make a few with different colour schemes and themes to bundle them as a set. 

5. Fimo Fridge Magnets 🧲

Make a simple fridge magnet that is great for kitchen noticeboards, fridges or studio lockers. 

You'll use: 

• Fimo modelling clay blocks
• Glitter
• Glue
• Small magnets (not included in Craftmas offer)

Method:

• Shape simple flat icons that relate to the person you want to gift it to (make it as simple or layered as you want).
• Lightly press in some glitter if you want it to sparkle. 
• Bake according to the pack and let it cool. 
• Glue a magnet to the back. 

A crafty gift that is easy to use and stay with them. 

All of these projects can be mixed, matched and adapted to suit your ideas. So make the most of our Craftmas offer and start creating handmade, thoughtful gifts this season! 

Keep an eye on @ual_artsshops to see our staffs' creations.