Seasonal Crafts

Seasonal crafts refer to a variety of crafts that either evoke a seasonal spirit, or use natural materials that are commonly available at a specific time of year, and are, therefore, strongly associated with a holiday or season. Household decorations represent the bulk of seasonal crafts, but a broader definition would also include garments and accessories, such as a felted hat for winter or decorated flip-flops for summer.

Each season tends to be associated with certain colors and themes. Many of these are based on nature and rooted in ancient cultures. Enthusiasts today continue to gather natural materials from forests, fields, and the seashore to use for crafts. Some crafters also maintain a garden to provide fresh and dried bouquets or pumpkins or gourds.

Seasonal crafts also tend to reflect a propensity towards resourcefulness and spontaneity. Recycled materials, scraps left over from woodworking and sewing projects, or unusual items are often given new uses that showcase the crafter's cleverness and ingenuity.

Seasonal crafts do not necessarily follow the calendar. While autumn officially begins in late September, the "season" typically starts with the return to school. Late October brings the spirit of Halloween. Jack O'Lanterns, scarecrows, ghosts, and black cats are some of the typical motifs, but orange and black have become so strongly associated with Halloween that just employing the colors in a craft can be adequate.

Thanksgiving is still very much a part of the harvest theme, despite the attempts of retailers to try to shorten the autumn season. Thanksgiving crafts tend to center on the table and hearth where the family celebrates togetherness and food traditions.

Recognition of winter tends to begin on "Black Friday," the biggest shopping day of the year. Through the last week of November and early December, many crafters devote their attention to Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah themes. Tree decorations, Advent candle displays, handmade gift-wrappings and cards, and homemade soap and candles represent just a few of the possibilities. Winter is also a popular time for knitting and crocheting.

Other winter holidays include the Chinese New Year, which typically entails a lively display of lanterns and dragons, and Valentine's Day, which inspires the embellishment of paper and chocolate hearts representing love.

In some regions of the country, St. Patrick's Day ushers in the spring season, and is, of course, associated with shamrocks, leprechauns, and the color green. Spring is a time for renewal, with gardening and bird themes, Easter bunnies, jellybeans, pastel colors, and baskets all tied to the season.

The summer season begins when school lets out, and includes Independence Day, seaside vacations, camps, and many leisure-time outdoor activities.

Beginners may be inspired by the work of Martha Stewart or Mary Engelbreit, who each deserve much credit for promoting seasonal crafts. Engelbreit's artwork has been turned into scrapbooking materials, cross-stitch patterns, and other commercial endeavors. Stewart's crafts often involve natural dyes or other traditional steps.

A variety of projects may require any of the following items:

• Glue gun, glues, and other adhesives
• Scissors, craft knife
• Measuring tools
• Drawing tools
• Tracing paper
• Paints, markers
• Paper supplies
• Fabric, including felt
• Notions

• Ribbons and yarns
• Colorwheel

Supplies often used for seasonal projects:

• Polymer clay
• Foam shapes
• Wooden cut-outs
• Beads
• Candles
• Baskets
• Wreaths

Natural materials that may be used include:

• Summer: Flowers, herbs, rose petals, twigs, driftwood, shells
• Fall: Pods, pinecones, dried flowers, leaves, seeds, cattails, dried apples
• Winter: Cut greens, nuts, grapevine, cranberries
• Spring: Wildflowers, bird nests (found on ground), pussy willow branches

Techniques

When collecting natural materials, always ask permission of the landowner and abide by government regulations. Never pull out plants by their roots. Many plants can be dried by hanging them upside down; however, some plants may need to be dried in silica gel or with other techniques. A flower press can be used to flatten and preserve freshly picked flowers. In lieu of a press, blotting paper and heavy books can substitute. Allow a few weeks before removing weights.

Use the appropriate adhesive for the various craft materials and follow directions carefully. A basic knowledge of color theory is helpful. Study the work done by professional designers and artists for inspiration.

Summer themes include Father's Day (although it technically occurs in the spring), Independence Day and patriotism, vacations, camps, seashore, sunshine, sunsets, butterflies, picnics, swimming, sailing, and other sports. Summer colors are yellow, blue, fuchsia, and orange. Summer is a good time for weaving twig baskets, papermaking with grasses and flower petals, and making lavender sachets.

Fall themes include school, football, Halloween, Pilgrims, harvest, cornucopias, abundance, and leaves. Fall colors include gold, brown, and maroon. Fall is the time for drying gourds, gathering pods, and decorating with fall leaves.

Winter themes include Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Valentine's Day, skiing, sledding, snowmen, snowflakes, and keeping warm. Green and red are used in Christmas crafts, while blue and silver are used for Hanukkah pieces. Popular winter crafts include origami tree ornaments, knitting and sewing, and building birdhouses in time for the late winter migration.

Spring themes include graduation, weddings, birth, renewal, gardening, flowers, rain, kites, birds, baseball, Easter, Passover, Earth Day, and Mother's Day. Spring colors are white, lime green, and pastels. Popular crafts include tissue flowers and decorating flowerpots.

Trends

The seashell macramé wall hangings and driftwood sculptures of the 1960s have increased in popularity. Victorian crafts, including tatted, beaded, and crocheted snowflakes and hearts, have made a comeback as well. Beads and die-cut foam shapes are popular embellishments for just about any type of seasonal craft. Additionally, the popularity of succulents in decor has led to their incorporation in a number of different areas, including gluing them onto pumpkins in the fall.

Seasonal crafts often reflect other trends in society as well. Flip-flops are popular, and crafters personalize them with foam flowers and other items. The simple, uncluttered approach to home décor is reflected in minimalist crafts that use natural materials.

Seasonal Crafts for Fun vs. Profit

Craftspeople can sell items at fairs and bazaars, in retail outlets, through interior decorators, and in galleries. Taking advantage of the internet, crafters can also use such online retailers as Etsy, which is known for a wide selection of unique, handmade items. Additional opportunities include working with wedding planners, caterers, and florists. Novel ideas may attract the attention of publishers who specialize in craft books. Teaching possibilities include craft stores and senior citizen centers.

Learning More

Big Book of Crafts. North Light Books, 2003.

Classic Crafts and Recipes for the Holidays: Christmas with Martha Stewart Living. Clarkson Potter, 2001.

Dahlstrom, Carol Field. Simply Handmade: 365 Easy Gifts & Decorations You Can Make. Meredith, 2000.

Easy Does It Nature Crafts. Landauer, 2006.

Evelegh, Tessa. Easter: Recipes, Gifts and Decorations: Beautiful Ideas For Springtime Festivities, With 30 Delightful Flower Displays, Traditional Recipes, Crafted Eggs And Decorative Gifts. Southwater, 2007.

Hocus Pocus: Halloween Crafts for a Spooktacular Holiday. Martingale, 2003.

Over 60 Quick 'n Easy Seasonal Crafts. Leisure Arts, 2002.

Wood, Dorothy. Crafting with Nature in a Weekend. North Light Books, 2005.