Hey there, fellow craft enthusiasts!
If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing quite like sitting around a table with your best girlfriends, sipping wine, catching up on life, and making something beautiful with your hands. There’s just something magical about crafting together—the laughter, the occasional “oops” moments (which honestly make the best stories later), and the shared sense of accomplishment when everyone holds up their finished creations.
Last month, I hosted my first official craft night at my place, and let me tell you—it was such a hit that we’ve already scheduled the next three! What started as a “let’s try something different instead of brunch” idea turned into our new favorite monthly tradition.
So today, I’m sharing everything you need to know to host your own craft night, including five super-simple DIY projects that anyone can make (yes, even your friend who claims she “isn’t crafty”), plus some adorable printable invitations you can customize and send out RIGHT NOW. Let’s get this craft party started!
Planning Your Craft Night
First things first—when should you host? I’ve found that Thursday evenings work perfectly. It’s close enough to the weekend that everyone’s starting to relax, but not competing with weekend plans. Plus, it gives everyone something to look forward to during the workweek!
For timing, I recommend 7-9:30 PM. This gives your friends time to get home from work, maybe freshen up a bit, and not feel rushed. It also means everyone can still get home at a decent hour if it’s a weeknight.
Setting the Scene
You don’t need a crafting studio to host a great craft night! Just clear off your dining table or push together a few smaller tables. I cover mine with a washable tablecloth (trust me, this is non-negotiable unless you want permanent memoirs of craft night on your furniture!).
Lighting is crucial for detailed work, so I bring in a couple of extra lamps from other rooms. Nothing fancy—just enough so nobody’s squinting at their project.
As for music, my go-to playlist includes upbeat but not-too-distracting tunes. Think Lizzo, Taylor Swift, and some throwback 90s hits that’ll have everyone singing along while they work. Keep it upbeat but not so loud that it drowns out conversation.
Snacks & Sips
Let’s be real—crafting makes you hungry! I like to keep the food simple: a cheese board with crackers, grapes, and nuts; veggie sticks with hummus; and some chocolate-covered strawberries (because we’re fancy like that). Nothing too messy or that requires both hands to eat.
For drinks, I set up a simple DIY cocktail station with a signature drink already mixed in a pitcher (my cranberry-lime Moscow Mules were a huge hit), plus wine and sparkling water. Pro tip: stemless wine glasses are your friend during craft night! Less chance of tipping over and ruining someone’s masterpiece.
5 Simple DIYs Anyone Can Make
Now for the main event! Here are five DIY projects that are perfect for craft night. They’re all beginner-friendly, can be completed in under two hours, and don’t require any specialized equipment beyond what I’ll list below.
DIY #1: Custom Painted Mugs
Is there anything more satisfying than sipping your morning coffee from a mug you decorated yourself? I think not!
Materials:
- Plain white ceramic mugs (I found mine at Dollar Tree—score!)
- Oil-based paint markers in various colors (Sharpie brand works great)
- Rubbing alcohol for cleaning the mugs
- Printed designs for inspiration (optional)
Quick Instructions:
- Clean mugs thoroughly with rubbing alcohol to remove any residue
- Sketch your design lightly with a pencil first if you’re nervous
- Color in with paint markers
- Let dry for 24 hours, then bake at 350°F for 30 minutes to set the design
- Hand wash only (no dishwasher!)
DIY #2: Macramé Plant Hangers
Macramé is having such a moment right now, and these plant hangers are surprisingly easy to make!
Materials:
- Cotton macramé cord (about 25 feet per hanger)
- Wooden or metal rings (2-inch diameter works well)
- Scissors
- Small potted plant to display the finished product
Quick Instructions:
- Cut four pieces of cord, each about 6 feet long
- Fold each piece in half and attach to the ring using a larkshead knot
- Separate the cords and start creating square knots in a spiral pattern
- Continue knotting until you reach your desired length
- Gather all cords and tie a final knot at the bottom
- Trim and fluff the ends for that perfect boho look
This project looks super impressive when finished, and nobody needs to know it only requires knowing one type of knot! My friend Jessica had never tried macramé before and was absolutely beaming when she hung her plant by the window before leaving.
DIY #3: Front Door Signs
These personalized door signs add such a welcoming touch to any home and make thoughtful gifts too!
Materials:
- Wooden Circles (craft stores have tons of options)
- Acrylic paint and brushes
- Stencils for lettering or designs
- Decorative elements like small wooden shapes, artificial flowers, etc.
- Ribbon or twine for hanging
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Clear sealer spray (optional, for outdoor signs)
Quick Instructions:
- Paint your wooden base with a background color and let dry
- Use stencils to add lettering (“Welcome” or family names work great)
- Add decorative elements with hot glue
- Attach ribbon or twine to the back for hanging
- Spray with clear sealer if the sign will be used outdoors
My friend Tina made the sweetest sign with her new married name and little painted flowers around the border. She sent me a picture the next day of it hanging on her door, and I swear I got a little teary-eyed!
DIY #4: Beaded Keychains or Bracelets
This project is perfect for the friend who’s nervous about her crafting abilities—literally impossible to mess up and so satisfying to complete!
Materials:
- Assorted beads in different colors, shapes, and sizes
- Stretchy cord for bracelets or keychain hardware
- Scissors
- Small bowls for organizing beads
- Optional: letter beads for personalization
Quick Instructions:
- For bracelets: measure stretchy cord around your wrist and add 2 inches
- For keychains: cut about 6 inches of cord
- Design your pattern first by laying out beads
- String beads onto cord in your chosen pattern
- Tie securely with a double knot and trim excess cord
- For keychains, attach to keychain hardware
Michelle made matching mother-daughter bracelets with her daughter’s name spelled out in letter beads, and she was already wearing hers when she left. So cute!
DIY #5: Simple Embroidery Hoops
Don’t let embroidery intimidate you—we’re keeping it super simple and the results are absolutely frame-worthy!
Materials:
- 4-6 inch wooden embroidery hoops
- Light-colored fabric (cotton works best)
- Embroidery floss in various colors
- Embroidery needles
- Scissors
- Water-soluble fabric markers
- Simple patterns printed out (think outlines of flowers, leaves, or simple quotes)
Quick Instructions:
- Place fabric in the hoop, pulling tight
- Trace your design onto fabric with water-soluble marker
- Thread needle and start with basic stitches (back stitch for outlines, satin stitch to fill in areas)
- When finished, spray lightly with water to remove marker lines
- Trim excess fabric and display!
For beginners, I recommend starting with a simple design like a heart, initial, or small flower. My friend Dana, who had never embroidered before, made the cutest little cactus design that now hangs in her office!
Shopping & Prep Guide
One of the secrets to a successful craft night is having everything organized and ready to go when your friends arrive. Nobody wants to stand around waiting while you frantically search for scissors or untangle yarn!
Master Supplies List:
Rather than listing everything here, I’ve created a downloadable shopping list organized by craft. Click [here] to grab it! (Editor’s note: I’ll add this link once the post goes live!)
Budget-Friendly Tips:
- Hit up Dollar Tree for mugs, picture frames, and basic supplies
- Check Facebook Marketplace for people destashing craft supplies
- Split costs with friends—everyone contributes $10-15 and you can get everything you need
- Use what you have! Check your junk drawer before buying new scissors, etc.
Prep Work:
The day before craft night, I:
- Pre-wash all mugs and let them dry completely
- Cut macramé cord into the correct lengths
- Pre-paint any wooden items that need a base coat
- Organize all supplies into labeled containers for each craft
- Set up a separate “station” for each project around the table
This prep work makes everything flow so much smoother and lets everyone start creating right away!
Printable Invitations
What’s a party without cute invitations? I’ve designed three different printable invitations for your craft night that you can download, customize, and either print or send digitally.
They’re sized at 5×7 inches for printing and include space for all the important details—when, where, what to bring (wine, obviously!), and which crafts you’ll be making.
Printing Tips:
- Use cardstock for the best results
- Standard home printers work perfectly fine
- For a professional touch, try printing at your local copy shop
- Add a little sparkle with metallic markers for addressing envelopes
Hosting Tips for Success
Different Skill Levels:
Remember that some friends might be seasoned crafters while others might not have touched a glue gun since middle school. The key is to make everyone feel comfortable and successful.
I like to say, “There are no mistakes in crafting, only unexpected design elements!” This usually gets a laugh and helps take the pressure off perfection.
Pair up your more experienced crafters with beginners for an informal buddy system.
Keeping Conversation Flowing:
Crafting naturally creates a relaxed atmosphere for catching up, but I also like to throw out a few conversation starters:
- “What’s something good that happened this week?”
- “What’s the last show you binge-watched?”
- “If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go?”
These questions usually lead to hilarious stories and deeper conversations than our usual rushed coffee dates allow.
Handling Craft Mishaps:
Something will go wrong, it’s basically craft night law. Someone will spill wine, mess up a design, or hot glue their fingers together (raises hand sheepishly).
Keep a sense of humor and some basic fixes nearby:
- Baby wipes clean up most messes
- Hair dryers speed up drying time
- Extra supplies for do-overs
Making It a Tradition
After our first craft night, the group text was buzzing with ideas for the next one before everyone had even made it home! We’ve now decided to make it a monthly tradition, rotating houses and themes.
If you want to keep your craft momentum going, here are some ideas:
- Seasonal themes (fall wreaths, Christmas ornaments, etc.)
- Everyone brings a craft to teach
- Upcycling night (bring something old to transform)
- Craft + charity (make items to donate)
The beauty of craft night isn’t just in what you create, it’s in those moments of connection, the shared laughter when something goes hilariously wrong, and the pride when everyone holds up their finished creations for a group photo.
So grab your supplies, send out those invitations, and get ready for a night of creativity and friendship. I promise it’ll become your favorite new tradition!
Happy crafting, friends!
