Everywhere you look in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula areas, there are sights, smells, and sounds that can spark and inspire creative energy. Whether you are exploring the wooded grasslands and enjoying the endless displays of flora and fauna or navigating around the various waterways and discovering artifacts such as shells and driftwood, the desire to capture these settings and bring them into your home is totally understandable! With a little bit of imagination and motivation, it is easy to harness your creativity and get crafty to create and bring home your own little piece of the Rivah!
Have a DIY day
If you are willing to do the leg work, you can find arts and craft supplies just about anywhere! Plan a little nature hike, bring a basket, and you will undoubtedly be able to gather a wide variety of natural elements to use in your crafting endeavors. Sand, shells, driftwood, ferns, sea glass, and shark teeth are just a few examples of the sorts of artifacts that can be found in our area.
(Please note, it is best to gather materials around your own property, or in a location with permission from the owners. It is prohibited in most state parks and nature preserves to gather plants, ferns, and greenery.)
Here are a few simple craft ideas for your found items!
(Please note, the following links are third-party links that are not owned or affiliated with the Rivah Visitor’s Guide or any of its contributing parties. The content is owned solely by the author/creator and has been posted on a public platform with permission given to share.)
Sea Glass Art
Sea glass is a special find and deserves a special display! These broken shards of glass have been smoothed over time and typically have a blue or green hue. Sea glass can be perfect for making mosaics. See to the right, an example of sea glass art by Lewisetta resident Helen Scerbo. By combining an old window and some found sea glass, she has created a one-of-a-kind artwork perfect for display in any beach house or nautically inspired room!
Another fun and simple way to utilize sea glass is by making wire-wrapped jewelry. Click here for an easy, step-by-step guide to creating your own! Shark teeth and shells are also excellent resources to use when making wire-wrapped jewelry!
Dried Plant Art
If you are going for a more natural, botanical aesthetic, pressing your own flowers, ferns, and foliage can be a fun way to create art and decor for your home. Simply gather your specimens, close them in a heavy book, and wait for them to dry (a few weeks). Once dried, there is a myriad of different ways in which they can be used. Here are just a few examples of utilizing dried botanicals.
DIY Pressed Flower Coasters
Pressed Botanical Wall Art
Nautical Wreaths
Making your own wreath is such a fun and easy way to jazz up any front door! The possibilities for customization are endless and there are no rules other than to have fun and be creative! A homemade wreath is a perfect way to display your found driftwood, shells, or other beach artifacts.
Click here for an easy tutorial. Don’t be afraid to get crafty and make it your own!
If DIY is not your forte or if your need a little help getting those creative juices flowing, there are plenty of guided classes and opportunities for you to explore! Attend on your own or invite your friends to any of these fun crafting events.
Connect with others and learn a new skill
Arts on Main in Gloucester offers a wide variety of fun classes that allow you to get creative and experiment with new craft materials.
Do you enjoy crafting with found nature items? Come out on Friday, May 13 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. and learn how to make hair barrettes or shawl pins with pine needles! A variety of materials will be available to help you create a unique piece of wearable art! Pre-registration is required.
Learn the art of Acrylic Paint Pouring with a class by artist Hanah Hailey. Students will have the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind artworks with colors of their choice. All materials and supplies will be provided. Be sure to wear paint-friendly clothes and bring a friend. This class will be held on Thursday, May 19th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required.
Click here for a full schedule of events at Arts on Main
Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern in Heathsville is another great location for getting crafty and creative. The Heritage Arts Center hosts a variety of classes and events for crafters of all ages and skill levels.
Join their wool dying with Kool-Aid class on May 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a bit of fiber fun. Learn how to make a bright and beautiful dye and create your own yarn that can be used for a variety of crafting projects. All necessary equipment will be provided but be sure to wear an old shirt or apron! This class requires pre-registration.
Try your hand on a spindle with a drop spinning class on June 2 and June 9 from Noon to 4 p.m. This two-session class will introduce you to the art of spinning yarn and creating beautiful, usable fibers. This class requires pre-registration.
Some other offerings of the Heritage arts center include woodworking and blacksmithing. For a full schedule of classes, click here.
