Quick DIY projects are the ones that actually get finished, and that is the whole point of this list. Every one of these 43 fast crafts can be made in about an hour or less, most with supplies already sitting in a drawer: a jar and glow paint, a stack of tile, a Sharpie, a handful of beads, a few sheets of felt. There are five minute wins like a Mod Podge hair clip and an origami heart bookmark, last minute gifts like peppermint soap and a personalized mug, and a few small home upgrades like custom knobs and a no-sew footstool. If the clock is the problem, start with the paper and bead projects, since nothing has to dry. One honest tip from making a lot of quick crafts: the craft is fast, the glue and paint are not, so set up near a spot where things can dry undisturbed while the next one gets started.
Quick DIY Projects to Make in an Hour
1. Mason Jar Fairy Lights
Mason jar fairy lights glow like a jar full of fireflies, and they take under 30 minutes from start to finish. Squeeze several colors of glow in the dark paint onto scrap paper, then use a long brush to dab dots all over the inside of a clean jar. Any jar works, from a mason jar to an old pickle jar. Glitter and a little school glue are optional extras. Set the jars in the sun so the paint charges, then bring them out after dark for a kid’s room, a dorm or a backyard party.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
2. DIY Tile Coasters
DIY tile coasters start with plain white ceramic tiles from the hardware store, which cost well under a dollar each. Trace a tile onto the back of scrapbook paper and cut the square slightly smaller than the tile, because paper cut all the way to the edge tends to overhang and peel. Brush Mod Podge on the tile, press the paper down, then coat the top. Finish with a spray acrylic sealer so a sweaty glass won’t leave a mark, and glue thin cork to the back. A whole stack fits into one sitting.
Get the full tutorial at Boxy Colonial.
3. Customized Timber Knobs
Customized timber knobs are the fastest furniture makeover there is. Print any image on plain copy paper, sized to fit the knob face, then mist it twice with clear matte sealer so the ink won’t run when the glue goes on. Paint the wooden knob to match the background of the image. Cut the image out closely, brush a thin coat of Mod Podge or craft glue on the knob and smooth the paper down, pressing every edge. Two or three coats of clear sealer make it tough enough for daily use.
Get the full tutorial at The Painted Hive.
4. Solar Sun Jar
A sun jar soaks up sunshine all day and glows all night, and the build takes about 15 minutes once the parts are in hand. Take apart a cheap solar garden path light, keeping the solar panel, battery and LED together. Spray the outside of a flip top glass jar with frosted glass spray, but leave the glass lid clear so the panel can still charge. Tape the light unit up under the lid. Four of these cost a fraction of the store bought version, and they look magical along a patio wall.
Get the full tutorial at Lifehacker.
5. Teacup Candles
Teacup candles turn a thrifted cup and saucer into a gift that looks far more expensive than it was. Set a pot of water boiling, then hot glue the end of a wick to the center of the cup. Melt candle wax in a double boiler over the water, stirring in a fragrance if you like, and pour it into the cup. Let the wax harden on its own, trim the wick and tie on a tag. Mismatched vintage teacups make the prettiest set, and the whole thing fits easily into an hour.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
