There’s something very satisfying about making things from scratch – and that’s not just because it usually saves money. It can also be a way of getting to know your food better or of introducing new ingredients and techniques to your cooking. Plus, of course, there’s the satisfaction of knowing you made something that is unique and bespoke to you. This idea of making can extend to a wide variety of crafts and DIY projects – from transforming a set of old DVDs into a wall hanging to turning straws into creative knick-knacks.

Crafting can also be a social activity. Joining a cropping group, knitting circle, quilting guild or polymer clay retreat can give you a sense of community. Many crafters even work together on altruistic projects donating their creations to hospitals or charity organisations. This can be especially energising and help to lift depression – depression often comes with anhedonia (a loss of pleasure in activities).

The act of creating art and crafts is known to release the feel-good chemical dopamine, helping us to relax and enjoy ourselves. This is thought to promote the development of new brain cells, boost concentration and reading skills, and improve mental resilience and productivity. It has even been shown to help people who suffer from debilitating conditions such as strokes regain the use of their hands.

Moreover, crafting provides an outlet for feelings, helping us to name and understand our emotions as well as allowing us to express them in different ways. For example, cutting out words and images for a collage can be calming and soothing, while drawing or painting can be expressive.

Lastly, making can be a great way of reconnecting with nature, particularly when utilising natural materials such as leaves, flowers and bark. Spending time outdoors is a proven stress reliever, and collecting nature’s gifts for crafting is a fun and exciting challenge that can be enjoyed by all the family.

Whether you’re an experienced crafter or are just beginning, there is always plenty to inspire and encourage you. We’ve put together a collection of ideas for things you can make with unusual materials, recycled and trash items, as well as those found in the great outdoors. Just click on the material you want to find ideas for, and remember that this is only a small selection of the possibilities available. If you have other ideas to share, please do comment below!