Crafting with Claire: Spring Floral Art

Is it May already? The grocery stores are filled with gardens of rainbow colored blooms and it’s giving us an extra boost of seasonal serendipity. There is something so effortlessly enchanting about fresh flowers. That’s why we want to dedicate this crafting session to preserving their beauty. This DIY would be the perfect gift for our favorite heroes this Mother’s Day. Whether you are crafting for Mom or for yourself, we think this would be a lovely addition to your gallery wall this Spring.

“Happiness is to hold flowers in both hands.”

— Japanese Proverb

We all know someone who makes crafting look flawless. Claire is THAT person. Everything she touches turns into a Pinterest ad and we love her for it. While we can’t all be a “Claire", at Bustle we want to make creativity attainable for everyone. That’s why Claire has made it her personal goal to curate crafts that we can all partake in. Every season, she will lead us in a step-by-step guide through the latest diy trends. Whether you’re crafting with kiddos or by yourself with a glass of wine, we hope you enjoy this pretty piece of mindfulness.

Step 1.) Choose your blooms — visit your local garden shop, flower truck, grocery store or even your yard! The best flowers to use are ones that are not too thick and can be flattened easily. Hydrangeas, violets, and other delicate flowers are a great choice.

Step 2.) Flatten your flowers! Use a flower press, wooden blocks, or heavy books to get your flowers nice and flat (and dry!).

Step 3.)Select a double glass frame to display your preserved flowers. You can find them at Target, Home Goods, or even a thrift store!

Step 4.) Arrange your dried, pressed flowers in your frame. If you want, you can add a photo and arrange the flowers around it or display the flowers alone in the frame. You may need to add just a touch of glue to keep the flowers in place.

Step 5.) Display your new homemade floral art in your home or give as a gift!

Claire’s Pro Tip: If you give your mom flowers for Mothers Day, save the flowers to make her a bonus mother’s day gift — maybe even add a picture of you and her. This would also make a great keepsake for your bridesmaids using the flowers from their bouquets!

If you would like to catch up on the last DIY, you can find that crafting session here!

Crafting with Claire: Marble Ring Dish

Crafts with Claire

We are delighted to introduce this brand new series to the Bustle Blog: Crafts with Claire.

Claire Jackson is such a refreshing part of our Bustle family. When she isn’t wowing us with her endearing creativity, she is spending time with her sweet husband, Dan, and their two precious kiddos, Eleanor (2 yrs) and Henry (4 mo).

We all know someone who makes crafting look effortless. Claire is THAT person. Everything she touches turns into a Pinterest ad and we love her for it. While we can’t all be a “Claire", at Bustle we want to make creativity attainable for everyone. That’s why Claire has made it her personal goal to curate crafts that we can all partake in. Every season, she will lead us in a step-by-step guide through the latest diy trends. Whether you’re crafting with kiddos or by yourself with a glass of wine, we hope you enjoy this pretty piece of mindfulness.

SPRING 2022:

MARBLE RING DISH

Step 1.) Choose 2-5 colors of clay for your marble dish.

Step 2.) Roll each color into a smooth long line and twist all the colors together.

Step 3.) Roll into a ball and knead to achieve desired marble effect.

Step 4.) Flatten out the ball between two pieces of parchment paper by using a rolling pin or pressing down with a book.

Step 5.) Use a large round cookie cutter or a bowl to cut the flattened clay into a circle, then place the circle of clay into an oven safe bowl to form it into the shape of the bowl.

Step 6.) Place the bowl on a baking sheet and bake at 275 for about 20 minutes OR according to the baking instructions on your clay package.

Step 7.) Take out of the oven and allow your marble dish to cool inside the bowl. Once cool, turn the bowl over and tap to free the clay from the inside of the bowl.

Step 8.) Enjoy your beautiful DIY marble clay dish!

CLAIRE’S PRO TIP: Use a nail file to smooth out the edges of your ring dish after you bake it.