Beginners in Crafts: What Do People Usually Start With?

Dear users and authors,
what are some typical beginner projects in crafts?
Let me know.

There are so many completely different types of crafts that it’s hard to make a general statement.

It’s probably best to start with projects where you can understand from the picture how they’re supposed to work and that don’t require you to set up a workshop or buy a lot of expensive tools right away.

As a paper crafter, I’d recommend that anyone who hasn’t done crafts in a long time—and who might think they’re completely untalented—start with simple gift packaging and greeting cards. And of course, it’s better to start with simple, inexpensive types of paper like cardstock and construction paper.

What types of paper would not be easy to work with and inexpensive?

Nice of you to ask :-).

There are coated papers such as glitter paper, printed photo cardstock, glossy paper, mirror cardstock, leather paper, and pearlescent paper, as well as papers that have been given a texture (sometimes in addition to the coating) — leather paper is one of them. Some of these are considerably more expensive than the ones I mentioned above and are also more difficult to work with. There’s also handmade paper, straw silk, tissue paper, crepe paper, and tracing paper — the last three are relatively inexpensive, but very delicate and require some experience.
These are just a few examples that come to mind off the top of my head, or papers I’ve worked with myself; there are many more types of paper, and new ones are constantly being developed.

Thanks for the info.
I just think it would be nice if the topic of crafts could be discussed a bit more broadly in the forum.

I didn’t realize there were so many different types of paper.
Could you briefly list what you can do with each one?

I’d also be very happy if more crafters would actively participate here.

So, glitter paper is great for decorations or for embellishing greeting cards and gift wrapping. Printed photo cardstock is actually great for gift wrapping, but the coating tends to crack when folded, and that doesn’t look very nice. That’s why I use this paper—as well as mirror cardstock , leather-textured paper , and pearlescent paper —only for decorating cards and packaging, though the latter can also be used to make decorative items and small gift boxes.
Glossy paper has a gummed backing; it’s mostly used for crafts with children—the paper is torn into small pieces, and these colorful pieces are then glued together to form pictures.
Handmade paper and straw silk paper, for example, can be used to make lamps and table lamps, or to decorate greeting cards. These papers are slightly translucent and have an interesting, irregular texture, allowing you to create beautiful effects.
Tissue paper and crepe paper are mostly used for making flowers, while translucent paper is used for window decorations and lanterns.

There’s so much out there.
Thanks for writing this down.
Have you worked with all these types of paper yet?

@Fellow readers,
what types of paper have you used so far?

I’ve worked with almost all of these types of paper—the only one I’ve never used is handmade paper: It looks so elegant that I’m too afraid to cut it up.

Hi, you two :)

I’m amazed at all the different kinds of paper out there!

When the kids were still little, I did a lot of crafts with them, mostly using construction paper, translucent paper, and crepe paper.
We made lanterns and seasonal window decorations, or those pretty luminaries made from little scraps of translucent paper.

What I always found a shame about construction paper was that the colors faded so quickly in the sun, or that the projects would warp due to heat or humidity. 

I really have no knack for crafts.
Once the paper is cut, it’s cut. You just have to live with it then, even if it’s crooked and uneven or frayed.

Of course, I also did the usual crafts with construction paper and tracing paper as a child; I always thought it was annoying how the glue behaves with tracing paper. Maybe I simply lacked the patience for it, though.

When baking bread, I usually have plenty of patience, but that doesn’t involve millimeter-precise work or fingers glued together.

Hi and good evening—
I just read this here. Well, I also did a lot of paper crafts for a while, but off the top of my head, I wouldn’t have been able to list all the different types. But it’s true—there really are so many wonderful kinds of paper out there.
When birthdays or other celebrations are coming up, I still make all my cards by hand. On top of that, I have a small shoebox full of paper punches. For those, you need thinner, smooth paper—it works great. Regular printer paper works too. I once bought some thick, glossy foil paper on sale here at Panduro, and it punches beautifully.
For string art cards, I use cardstock in a wide variety of colors. You can also make beautiful flowers with origami paper (those pop-up cards). I also have an embossing and die-cutting machine.
You can even embroider cardstock with beads—I’ve tried it all. The only thing missing is the time to do it.

So, even as a beginner, you can create really pretty little pictures using small, inexpensive punches—even kids can use them.
Or, with this hand-crank knitting dolly, kids or crochet beginners can make cords and braid them into plaits or use them for little rugs. There are just sooo many possibilities.
Collect branches on a walk and use them with construction paper to make beautiful mobiles.

To go beyond paper crafts:
air-drying clay is also a wonderful material for craft beginners. Just think of all the things you can make with it! Even small children enjoy kneading clay. However, you should start with relatively soft modeling clay. I find Fimo, for example, difficult for beginners to knead. Salt dough is also an inexpensive and non-toxic modeling material.

Ah, so that’s how it is—so making bread dough is a kind of crafting, too.
So I can craft after all. :-)
Now I’m satisfied, too.

See? I have absolutely no talent for baking...

Sometimes, when the mood strikes me, I try my hand at origami.

I find it fascinating how a single square piece of paper can be transformed into objects that are sometimes quite intricate.
That said, I tend to make “simpler” pieces.

Last year, I made a few things out of concrete and flexible tile adhesive—that’s more my style.

When my children and grandchildren were still little, I often did crafts with them. For example, we made Window Color pictures or cards. Lately, I’ve been making more decorative items, such as wooden figurines. I also crocheted or knitted some parts for them.
Years ago, I took a flower arranging class, and ever since then I’ve been making my own arrangements for Easter and Christmas. You can also use crocheted figures in them.

Wow, Marion, your figures look great! I’ve also made Christmas and Easter decorations out of wood or combined with crocheted items.
Let’s see what creative ideas summer brings out in me—maybe a combination of concrete and wool....

Mel, I'm happy to return the compliment; your work looks great too.
On the topic of concrete:
My daughter looked for old crocheted doilies at my place this year; she needed them for concrete projects. So you can certainly make something with yarn too.

I'm sure everyone here is definitely a wonderful crafter.



This year, I made a planter from a towel and concrete and placed it on the stairs. I haven’t gotten around to painting it yet. And a leaf-shaped concrete bowl is also waiting to be painted.....

Oh, and... if anyone can tell me what these flowers are called, I’d really appreciate it. I bought them at a market in Holland, but I don’t know what they are.