Crafty girl mood: UNLOCKED
Published 10/7/26
In the last few hours of the day—toddler tucked in, dinner done, kitchen clean—that's when the making happens. So if you're like me and looking for something to do besides falling down a Dancing with the Stars rabbit hole on TikTok, I've got a list for you.
This is my go-to project list. I refer back to this whenever I need inspiration throughout the year and am always adding to it.
Yup. Just like the coffee shops you love to frequent, only in the comfort of your own kitchen. This is my favorite project. I am an avid coffee drinker, and notorious over-romanticizer, so this is one of my favorite things to do. The goal is to create something that will bring you daily joy. You have full control!
Pick a name for your shop. You can even create a logo for yourself, even if you know nothing about graphic design. Canva and AI are great helpers.
Create a menu. Have fun with it! Create a signature drink. My go-to is an iced honey latte. Make it feel like a real coffee shop and create a menu with all the drinks you love to make. Don’t be afraid to add a little whimsy.
Make your own unique shop cups. Order some plastic to go cups and lids off Amazon (these are the ones I use). Put your shop logo on stickers. I print my 1.5-inch round sticker label sheet at Staples.
Print all the other things. Your menu, an “open” sign, tiny menus, really anything that you could have hanging on your fridge or in your coffee space that will just make you feel like you are at your favorite coffee shop—because you are!
I am 100% a gift person. I love receiving and giving gifts—no shame. Pair it with thrifting and I’m in heaven. Plus, thrifting is so creatively stimulating. The idea that you could walk into a Goodwill and find a hidden, priceless treasure for $5 fuels me like few other things do.
Thrift stores can be overwhelming at first. Narrow down your search with a theme. A season, homewares, cool girl, all things pink—the options are endless.
These things make the perfect gifts (without breaking the bank)
Dishware. Mugs, a tiny creamer cup, a pretty plate or serving dish.
Home knick knacks. Think anything small and cute that could live on a small shelf. A tiny frame, small ramekin, a jewelry tray.
Linens. A napkin set or placemats.
Books. Finding a beautiful coffee table book, or a vintage cookbook? You can’t go wrong.
A basket to house your items. Wicker, rope, or maybe even metal? This gives it the perfect finishing touch.
Display your gift finds in your thrifted basket with a nice piece of chocolate or tea, plus a ribbon and you have yourself a gift.
Also, you don’t have to find all the gifts in one thrift store shop. Give yourself time to build the gift, that’s part of the fun.
Let me clarify, become your own Pinterest icon. I am notoriously on Pinterest everyday. The endless creative content helps fuel my own creativity.
New year, new Pinterest board
At the end of each year, I create a private board dedicated to the upcoming year (2025 me! is this year’s board). I drop all my inspo for the coming year: what I want to wear, things I want to cook or bake. Inspirational words I want to focus on. Books, design, vibes—the list goes on.
Throughout the year I continuously add to my board and refer back to it for my main source of inspiration. It’s fun to reinvent yourself each year, and creating a board really helps stick to that. Think of it as your yearly personal rebrand.
This year, I started a mail club for my friends. I wanted to bring joy to my friends who live far from me in different cities and states. I also wanted to have a creatively stimulating project for myself. I send my mail quarterly, which keeps it from feeling overwhelming.
Here are some things I have sent
- A letter (of course)
- Punchcards
- A print
- A postcard
- Things that require unwrapping. Anyone else get an immense amount of joy just from unwrapping something pretty? It just makes everything feel more elevated than it actually is.
- A bucket list of things to do during the current season
- Stickers
- A QR code that links to my Spotify playlist
There are no rules! Write about whatever’s on your mind that you think other people might relate to too. Do it because it’s fun. It’s like a blank canvas for your mind. It’s your space to write your mind out.
We all could use a little extra creativity in our day-to-day
Life is busy. It’s so easy to go through the motions every day without actively “feeding” your creative side. This list is to help with that. No formal creative talent needed! Now go forth and make something great, I know you can.