National Craft Month: 3 Easy Crafts You Can Make with Goodwill Supplies

In 1994, the Craft & Hobby Association created National Craft Month, celebrated every March. It’s a great excuse to embrace your creative side and start a new project, learn a new skill, or explore a fun hobby!

In honor of National Craft Month, we’re sharing three easy crafts you can make using Goodwill supplies:

Jean Jacket

Jean jacket applique

Appliques are a fun way to embellish and personalize plain articles of clothing, like jean jackets! Applique simply means transferring one fabric to another to create a unique design. Head to your nearest Goodwill store to look for clothing you can use as scrap fabric for your project. While you’re there, you can also find a jean jacket for less than most retail stores!

Use a stencil to trace and cut out a design from the scrap fabric. Then, attach the fabric to your jean jacket by using fabric interfacing, a special material that makes the fabric stiffer. Some interfacings require sewing, but you can also find iron-on versions that are heat activated.

Porcelain teacup with white and pink flowers

DIY candles

Homemade candles make great gifts, and they only take a few simple steps! Melt wax (available at craft stores) in a glass dish in the microwave or stovetop, stirring occasionally. When the wax is melted, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Once the solution is cooled but still liquid, pour it into a small glass jar or container and add the wick. Here’s a fun idea: repurpose a teacup or coffee mug into a decorative candleholder! Goodwill has a fantastic selection of colorful mugs and cups to choose from.

Glass Jars from Goodwill  

Frosted glassware

Glass etching is a technique that gives plain glassware a beautiful, frosted appearance. You’ll need an etching cream (available at craft stores), glass cleaner, plastic gloves, painter’s tape, and glassware such as a vase, bottle, jar, or pitcher. You can find a variety of great glassware at Goodwill!

Use the glass cleaner to polish the glass piece, then dry thoroughly. Adhere painter’s tape to any area of the glass that you don’t want to be etched. Then, put on the gloves to protect your skin and apply the etching cream to the glass carefully. The cream takes five minutes to work its magic, and then you can wash it off with hot water. Once you get a feel for it, try using stencils or sticker letters to create custom etched designs!

Crafting is easy with Goodwill!

Repurposed thrift store finds make amazing craft projects, and at Goodwill, you can find the supplies you need for less! We are your DIY headquarters for everything from fabric to furniture. And with our ever-changing inventory, you never know what you might find from one day to the next to inspire your next crafting masterpiece.

By choosing to shop at Ohio Valley Goodwill, you’re also supporting our mission to provide life-changing job training and employment services for individuals with disabilities and veterans in the local community. Find the retail store location nearest you and sign up to have our sales calendars sent directly to your email every week for savings during National Craft Month and all year round.