The world of craft materials extends as far as the mind can reach. I remember as a kid hearing about an artist who built a sculpture out of those white and orange striped traffic barrels you’d see on the highway. I was completely fascinated by the sculpture and wondered how in the world the artist came up with such an unusual idea.
However, this was over ten years ago, and the crafting world is getting even more creative with what they make their crafts out of. They’re pushing the limits and taking risks to give the world some of the craziest and coolest crafts. For this reason, I’ve found some of the most unexpected crafting materials from unusual to completely unexpected!
10. Recycled Shopping Bag Wreath
We’ve all got a stash of these plastic baggies hidden somewhere in the house away from our guilt-ridden consciences. This unusual recycled craft will put that stash to use, and you’ll end up with an adorable DIY front door wreath for your home!
9. Weave Vases from Milk Cartons
I’ve seen crafts with milk jugs and cartons before, but this one surprised me because of the technique involved. This craft is the ultimate combination of recycling, weaving, and gardening rolled all into one. This is an unexpected idea made in a way you probably never would have guessed.
8. Vintage Tools DIY Trellis
When I think of a trellis, I picture a white-painted wooden garden decoration found at a countryside home. However, this trellis is made from classic gardening tools! This is a simple garden craft that will add some character your garden. No one will have a trellis as unique as this!
7. Cowboy Boot DIY Planters
Give your planters a little country kick with this unexpected garden craft. Cowboy boots are perfect for plants if you think about it. There’s plenty of room for the roots to grow, and they aren’t as heavy to move around your porch or garden like those terracotta pots.
6. DIY Suitcase Table
Vintage suitcases have always been popular with us old souls, but I’ve never seen a suitcase turned into a table before. I’ve seen them as a chest of drawers, a bed for your pet, and even a garden (which always made me cringe a little bit. Don’t ruin the antique with dirt!). When I came across this unexpected craft, I was excited to see a new take on vintage suitcase crafting.
5. Pretty Pumpkins from Dryer Vents
That’s right. You read it correctly. These adorable pumpkin crafts were made from dryer vent hoses. This is a great DIY Halloween decoration you won’t be able to find in a Halloween store!
4. Succulent and Pebble DIY Wreath
A wreath made from rocks? Now this is unexpected for sure. It may be heavy, but if you’re going for a one-of-a-kind wreath, then you’ve stumbled onto the right blog post.
3. Zip Tie Leaf Earrings
You definitely won’t find earrings like these in Tiffany’s! This unexpected jewelry craft is sure to grab some attention from your friends.
2. Recycled Happy Meal Toy Wreath
Don’t be ashamed. We all have that junk drawer filled with Happy Meal toys back when eating at McDonald’s was a dinnertime treat for kids. I’ll bet you never thought to turn them into a DIY wreath idea though!
And the winner of most unexpected craft material is…
1. Flying Diaper Airplane Cake
Now, don’t be alarmed! Names can be deceiving. This is actually a precious baby shower gift idea. It’s not actually a cake but a compilation of baby items like diapers, blankets, etc. in the shape of an airplane. How unexpected and creative is that?
Interested in unusual crafts? Be sure to check out our whole collection of unexpected craft ideas at AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com!
What’s the craziest material you’ve ever used to make a craft?
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When I was a preteen we used to take the tufts from the tops of large prickers (they were light green and were sticky {as in “Velcro} on the bottom half) with lavender tufts (much like the hair topping off a cob of corn) projecting from the top. Because of the Velcro type bottoms, you could stick them together in various shapes. My favorite was like a small doll cradle. If you got tired of one thing, you could pull them apart and make them into something else.