It’s that time of year―time to get serious about making gifts for the upcoming holidays! Judging from the activity on the FanningSparks Pinterest boards, it looks like a lot of makers have the same idea. I’ve pulled together my most popular pins to inspire your creativity and jumpstart your annual make-and-give projects.
The projects in this year’s Make & Give Roundup are presented in order of popularity based on Pinterest activity over the last 90 days.
1. Maker Apron
This project is perfectly aligned with the current trend to reclaim, repurpose and upcycle. The FanningSparks Maker Apron is made from a pair of thrifted denim jeans for strength and durability. The project requires a sewing machine and basic sewing skills. The below Pinterest pin, featuring the actual measurements of my finished apron, has been viewed, pinned or shared over 16k times in just the last 90 days. The Maker Apron – DIY Tutorial post provides detailed step-by-step instructions for this project.
2. Knotted Bird Ornament
The second most popular Pinterest pin is this template for a Knotted Bird.
I originally made a small flock of these birds from clay and hung them in my flower gardens (see I Spy Something White). But the birds can be made from a variety of materials, including decorative paper (as shown in Handmade Ornaments for the Holidays), and would look equally charming on a Christmas tree.
3. Lucet Cordmaking
The next most popular project is cordmaking with a Lucet as featured in the Lucet Cordmaking – DIY Tutorial. A lucet is a simple tool that resembles a two-pronged fork. My full step-by-step tutorial explains how to make a wooden lucet―a good beginner project requiring only a jigsaw and basic woodworking skills.
Lucets are used to make knotted cord by manipulating fiber strands around the prongs. The tutorial includes instructions on to make cord. Cordmaking may require a little patience but the repetitive movements quickly become relaxing and soothing. Cord can be made in a variety of fibers, such as yarn, string and floss, in an endless array of colors. These Pinterest pins have been very active.
4. Bluebird Birdhouse
The Bluebird-Approved Birdhouse is one of the first tutorials I ever shared on the blog―5 years later, it is still a perennial favorite. This project is suitable for someone with basic woodworking skills including cutting and assembling wood. Only standard tools including a jigsaw, drill and screwdriver are needed. See the DIY Bluebird-Approved Birdhouse Tutorial for detailed instructions.
5. Sashiko Jacket
Sashiko, a type of Japanese stitching, is typically done with white thread on indigo-dyed fabric so it’s a great option for embellishing a denim jean jacket. Check out the blog post, A Denim Jacket with Sashiko Flair, to learn how to select and apply various sashiko designs to your one-of-a-kind garment. These two work-in-progress pins have been particularly popular.
Whether you choose to give this jacket to someone special or keep it for yourself, you’re bound to appreciate the compliments it draws. This project requires basic hand-sewing skills.
6. Snowflake Ornament
A series of complex twists and turns gives the below snowflake its charm. I originally made this snowflake from repurposed leather as shown in these photos. Detailed step-by-step instructions, along with a complimentary download project template can be found in the blog post Red Leather Snowflake Ornament – DIY Tutorial.
This snowflake can be made from a variety of materials such as felt, reed and paper. Here’s one made with decorative cardstock paper.
7. Fused Glass Flower
The next most popular Pinterest pin illustrates a helpful tip for making fused glass flowers. This project involves cutting stained glass into petals, flower centers and leaves which are then fused in a glass kiln. A sturdy flower stem is made from copper tubing and the leaves and flower heads are attached to the stem. As shown in the below photo the flower head is attached with a small, flat-topped screw adhered to the bottom of the flower center.
This project does require specialized equipment, such as a glass fusing kiln, and good glass cutting skills. But it’s all worth the effort when you share these beautiful fused glass flowers―Cut Flowers That Really Last―with someone special.
8. Ceramic Heart Trivet
Trivets, sometimes called hot pot holders, are typically used to protect the surface of a dining table from a hot serving dish or bowl. They are simple, but functional, objects with a decorative surface. The below photo, showing my heart-shaped filigree trivet formed in clay, has been pinned over 650 times in the last 3 months. This project requires specialized equipment, such as a pottery kiln, as well as basic hand-building pottery skills.
It’s a very pretty design although it did present a challenge when adding tiny feet to the bottom―they must be placed just right for adequate support during firing. See my blog post, Maker Heart Challenge #2: Broken Heart Trivet, for all the details. Done right, a ceramic trivet like this would make a nice gift for someone who likes to cook and entertain.
9. Wind Chimes
The next most popular Pinterest pin illustrates another technique. This one comes from a project to make a set of wind chimes from repurposed vintage silver. The Old Silver Wind Chimes – DIY Tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for transforming a vintage, silver-plated sugar bowl (or creamer) and cutlery into pretty wind chimes.
It’s a fun project that doesn’t require any specialized tools or skills. The specific technique which has proven particularly popular on Pinterest, as shown below, is a tip to indent the target spot on the cutlery with a nail before drilling.
10. Barn Quilt Block
Barn quilts are back in vogue―they can be seen on porches, garages, sheds and fences, as well as barns. The below Pinterest pin, showing my completed Lilies and Hummingbird design, has been very popular. In fact, I’ve received several requests to purchase the pattern (which I’m happy to share for free) and even a few offers to buy a completed work (sorry I don’t sell my artwork). Barn quilt blocks can be made in a wide variety of patterns and colors so they’re easy to tailor to a recipient’s interests and preferences.
See the blog post, Lessons Learned from My First Barn Quilt Block, for an overview of the materials and supplies needed as well as the process involved. Basic crafting skills as well as a good dose of patience are needed for this project.
11. Coiled Rope Animal Coaster
Last January, I set myself a challenge to focus on Earth-friendly projects. One of those projects was to sew coiled cotton rope coasters in simple animal shapes. I came up with four designs including a natty snail, bunny rabbit, simple bird and wooly sheep. All of the designs are based on a 4½” diameter core circle. A set of these coasters would make a useful and fun gift. The project requires a sewing machine but only basic sewing skills are needed. You can find all the details in the Coiled Rope Animal Coasters – DIY Tutorial.
12. Photo Embroidery
Embroidering photographs is becoming increasingly popular. Regular readers know I like to use this technique to commemorate my “word of the year” as part of my annual New Year’s tradition. For instance, my word for 2024 was “Change” (see Change: My Word for 2024).
Stitching on paper is surprisingly easy and satisfying—especially when stitching on a favorite photo. Why not choose a photo that’s especially meaningful to someone special and embellish it with your own design to give as a gift?
Check out the blog post, Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial, for step-by-step instructions. The below photo shows a technique from that tutorial which has been very popular on Pinterest.
13. Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder
This next project, the Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder, is another perennial favorite which is perfect for this time of year. It has a pretty 6-point star design that glitters and shines when a candle is lit inside. This project requires basic glass cutting skills and a few glass cutting tools but it’s entirely doable with the step-by-step instructions provided in the DIY Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder Tutorial.
14. T-Shirt Yarn Basket
I’ll add one bonus project to avoid ending on unlucky number 13. This last project hasn’t (yet) received a lot of attention on Pinterest but, personally, I think it deserves a little more love.
After all, these fabric baskets are very useful, relatively easy to make in any color and a variety of designs, and they’re made entirely from repurposed materials… win-win-win! These baskets are crocheted using yarn made from discarded T-shirts (see Extending the Life of the Common T-Shirt for the details). This project requires only a crochet hook, T-shirt yarn, a recycled base and a little know-how. See the T-Shirt Yarn Basket – DIY Tutorial for full step-by-step instructions.
Hopefully, this selection of popular Pinterest pins has piqued your interest and inspired you to try a new make-and-give project this year.
More Info
FanningSparks has a significant presence on Pinterest with nearly 3,000 followers. All the original photos shared in my blog posts are pinned on FanningSparks Make, Travel, Nature and Decorate Pinterest boards.
For your convenience, here are the links to the 2024 Make & Give suggestions mentioned in this blog post:
1. Maker Apron – DIY Tutorial
2. Knotted Bird Ornament in I Spy Something White and Handmade Ornaments for the Holidays. A complimentary download project template for the knotted bird is available here.
3. Lucet Cordmaking – DIY Tutorial
4. DIY Bluebird-Approved Birdhouse Tutorial
5. A Denim Jacket with Sashiko Flair
6. Snowflake Ornament in Red Leather Snowflake Ornament – DIY Tutorial and Handmade Ornaments for the Holidays. A complimentary download project template for the snowflake is available here.
7. Fused Glass Flower in Cut Flowers That Really Last
8. Ceramic Heart Trivet in Maker Heart Challenge #2: Broken Heart Trivet
9. Old Silver Wind Chimes – DIY Tutorial
10. Barn Quilt Block in Lessons Learned from My First Barn Quilt Block
11. Coiled Rope Animal Coaster – DIY Tutorial
12. Photo Embroidery in Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial
13. DIY Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder Tutorial
14. T-Shirt Yarn Basket – DIY Tutorial
In addition, the following FanningSparks blog posts are mentioned in this blog post:
. Change: My Word for 2024
. Extending the Life of the Common T-Shirt
Make & Give suggestions from previous years can be found via the following links:
. Make & Give 2022 Roundup
. Make & Give 2021 Roundup
. Make & Give 2020 Roundup
. Make and Give 2019 DIY Tutorial Roundup
Today’s Takeaways
1. The degree of activity on Pinterest pins can suggest popular projects and trends.
2. Taking the time and making the effort to create a one-of-a-kind gift sends a message of care and affection.
3. Consider making and giving gifts this holiday season.
