If you need a good reason to craft, let it be this. A penchant for crafting could save you money if you’re a homeowner or plan to become one in the near future. A 2016 survey by the Home Projects Council found that crafting isn’t just a relaxing downtime activity. Handy homeowners surveyed — those who leaned DIY (do-it-yourself) versus DIFM (do-it-for-me) — saved more on their home improvement upgrades.
Fifty-three percent of DIY homeowners in the survey completed their last projects themselves because it was cheaper than hiring someone else to do it. Among the most popular money-saving DIY home improvements? Installing window treatments, curtains, and blinds topped the list: 86 percent of DIY homeowners did this themselves compared to 14 percent of DIFM homeowners who hired a professional. Seventy-nine percent of DIY homeowners updated their cabinet hardware, 76 percent of DIY homeowners installed closet systems and shelves, and 73 percent of DIY homeowners put in their own light fixtures and ceiling fans. The more complicated tasks, like installing cabinets and replacing countertops, were still likely to be outsourced to a contractor.
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Now there’s no reason to feel guilty about making extra time for your pet projects — and crafting into the wee hours of the morning. DIY projects have been proven to save homeowners money. Speaking of being handy, one of our favorite DIY crafts for fall involves upcycling and repurposing. If you have a recycling bin full of wine corks from previous craft nights with friends, you’ll only need to buy a few supplies to decorate your home for the season.
How to make pumpkin wine cork crafts: Supplies
- 25 recycled wine corks
- Acrylic paint, orange
- Paintbrush
- Hot glue gun
- Craft knife
- Pipe cleaners, green
- Scissors and/or wire cutters
- Twine
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How to make pumpkin wine cork crafts: Tutorial
DIY wine cork pumpkins remain some of the most popular upcycling projects for the fall. According to Pinterest users, this cork pumpkin looks better when using white wine corks instead of red to prevent a red wine stain from bleeding through the paint:
Get started
1. Start by putting the corks in rows: four on the bottom row, five on top, six in the center row, and then a row of five followed by a row of four. Hot glue all corks in this pattern. Try to use (or cut) corks of the same length in each row.
Next
2. Cut off the top part of the last remaining cork with a craft knife. Hot glue it as a stem to the top of the cork pumpkin.
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Next
3. Dilute the orange acrylic paint with water and paint the cork pumpkin on both sides. Blot with a paper towel to keep the color light and rustic and let it dry.
Next
4. Wind the pipe cleaners into leaf shapes and hot glue to the top of the stem. You can also cut green leaves from felt instead.
Next
5. Tie several inches of twine around the pumpkin stem to look like a vine. The final cork pumpkin should be about 5 inches tall and 5 inches wide.
Repurposing old wine corks with the help of a little craft paint is an easy way to get your house ready for the holidays. Just like a fun afternoon spent crafting, buying a house doesn’t have to be hard. Using our free LoanFly app, you can get prequalified for a mortgage (and keep track of your loan until closing) from the comfort of your crafting table.
For educational purposes only. Please contact your qualified professional for specific guidance.
Sources are deemed reliable but not guaranteed.