DIY Made Easy

While it may not provide the same fingers-in-goo satisfaction of plaster of Paris, this new take on the old hand cast — inspired by blogger Megan Heep (myplumpudding.blogspot.com) — does feel a whole lot fresher. Use a fabric pencil to trace your child's hand onto cotton fabric, and write his or her name and the year underneath. Then stretch the fabric on an embroidery hoop (plain 7- and 8 1/2-inch wooden versions, $1.19; joann.com; we painted ours red). Finally, trim the excess fabric and stitch along your pencil lines with a needle and embroidery floss.

Like a charm bracelet — only much less expected — this button-trimmed beauty is blessedly easy to make. Amy Barickman's Button Ware (Indygo Junction) spells it all out: Start with a link bracelet (a nickel-plated version with a toggle clasp costs $1.19 at crystalcorners.com), 40 to 60 buttons with shanks (those small loops protruding from the backs), an equal quantity of jump rings, and a pair of needle-nose pliers. For each side of each link on the bracelet: Pry one jump ring open with the pliers, then thread the ring through both the button's shank and the link itself, and use the pliers to pinch it closed again. Repeat until the chain's transformed and ready to wear.

Even if you've never laid a finger on a sewing machine, you can whip up this snappy eyeglass case from Jodi Kahn, author of Simply Sublime Bags: 30 No-Sew, Low-Sew Projects (Potter Craft). Simply fold a quilted pot holder in half, hand-stitch the edges together, then slip your glasses into the resulting padded pouch.

CL contributors Teri Edwards and Serena Thompson, a.k.a. the Farm Chicks, came up with this genius idea for repurposing a painted metal tray. Simply attach a sawtooth picture hanger to the tray's back with superglue, hang the tray from a nail, then add magnets — along with any must-try recipes or shopping lists. You can find more fast crafts, and 50 down-home recipes, in our latest collaboration, Country Living's The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen (Sterling).

Glue an assortment of thrift-store candlesticks to a vintage tray using a thin layer of Devcon Flow-Mix Five-Minute Epoxy ($3; idealtruevalue.com) — wiping off any excess with a damp cloth. To set, hold in place for five minutes. Wash by hand as needed. Total cost = $55: nine $5 candlesticks, a $7 tray, and a $3 tube of glue.

Convert a cramped corner into a fully stocked bar by hanging a rake over a small table and suspending stemware from its tines. To mount the rake, twist picture wire around the handle where it meets the rake, then loop it over a hook.

Get cluttered correspondence under control: Stash a hand rake on top of an entryway table or bill-paying desk and put it to work sorting incoming and outgoing mail.

Maximize shared closet space with a practical tie-and-belt rack hung from the back of the door. Or adapt this trick to keep your most tangle-prone necklaces in line.

Three flea market chairs were given new life as a charming bench.