Being able to create something out of nothing is an impressive feat in itself. It could be a painting, a knitted piece of fabric, or a DIY project, all of which deserve a fair amount of props for the craftsmanship involved.
Online groups like the ‘Something I Made’ Reddit group are doing just that—celebrating handmade creations from some of the brilliant minds out there. We’ve picked the best ones to share with you, our beloved audience.
Whether you’re into making your own handicrafts or not, perhaps these photos will inspire you to let your creative juices flow and come up with something worth sharing.
#1 A Shirt That I Painted With Bleach
Image credits: houseplonts
#2 I Made A Wooden Cat And Painted It With Intricate Mayan Patterns Inspired From My Culture. Thoughts On This?
Image credits: TalokanArt
#3 I Made Stained Glass Horse Light
Image credits: seastainedglass
Research shows that hands-on work has therapeutic value. Activities like knitting, gardening, and coloring have been associated with reduced symptoms of anxiety and stress and improved cognitive function.
In an interview with The New York Times, behavioral neuroscience professor Dr. Kelly Lambert explained that relief comes from the satisfaction of seeing the final product.
“That builds up a sense of accomplishment and control over your world,” Dr. Lambert explained.
#4 I Made A New Bracelet With Polymer Clay Succulents. Realistic And Very Durable!
Image credits: flybunnysuccs
#5 My Work Is Not AI. I Have Worked Really Hard To Get Here
Image credits: Polar_Bear_Online
#6 Time, Patience, Blood, And Tears Were Poured In My Now Finished Warrior Goddess
Image credits: mccallistersculpture
Another study that supports this theory comes from researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Their findings show that handwriting is associated with “more elaborate” brain activity compared to typing.
According to Audrey van der Meer, one of the study’s authors, writing by hand allows the individual to form letters using finely controlled movements. As she explains, these hand actions lead to brain connectivity.
#7 A 3D Snail I Embroidered
Image credits: bluehydrangea
#8 The God Of Potatoes, Part Of My Project Of Building Shrines To God's That Probably Don't Exist
Image credits: mtomsky
#9 I Made These Rugs For Fun
Image credits: Dangerous_Towel_9898
Many may feel daunted by the idea of creating something from scratch. Art therapist and psychology professor Chistianne Strang recommends starting small to avoid intimidating yourself.
Strang recommends beginning with small doodles while drinking your morning coffee. This meditative practice can produce beautiful artwork.
#10 Made A Couple Of Pine Needle Baskets For The First Time Recently :)
Image credits: heichoulevi
#11 I Finished This Painting Recently. I Made It On Black Paper With White Acrylic Paint
Image credits: Hercules_Vales
#12 I Made This Gold Gown For My Daughter. I Think She Looks Brilliant. Do You Agree?))
Image credits: EVALIZA
There is also the pressure of wanting to create a masterpiece from the get-go, which is impossible. Artist Susie Brandt advises against this thinking and recommends embodying a “learner’s mind” by being spontaneous.
“As an artist, I make things to surprise myself. I don’t know what I’m going to get,” Brandt told The New York Times in an interview.
#13 I Made A Cheeseburger Outfit (Complete With Ketchup & Mustard Heels And A Pickle Beret)
Image credits: ajaknna
#14 Cat Dip, Acrylics, 2024
Image credits: vallancet
#15 I've Been Feeling Socially Overwhelmed Lately. So I Did This Drawing Depicting That
Image credits: AnthonyChristopher
Still on the topic of having the proper mindset, researcher Natascha Chtena says people tend to confuse handicrafts with chores. In an article for Inside Higher Ed, she noted that it’s not about completing routine tasks. Rather, the focus should be “the pure joy of creating something from zero.”
“There’s a difference between making your own home repairs to save money versus making your own home decor crafts to add personal accents to your place,” she wrote.
#16 I Crocheted This Poncho For My 100yo Grandma. She Said She’s Never Had One Before
Image credits: bwmamanamedsha
#17 Finally Finished This Sweater For My Boyfriend ?
Image credits: frantibiotico
#18 Made This Frog For My Mil. It Ain’t Perfect, But I Think He’s Cute
Image credits: bookish-hooker
Readers, we’d love to hear your input. Have you done any form of handicraft lately? How was your experience? Let us know in the comments below!
#19 Celebrating A Year Since I First Made This Tiny Necklace. I've Made Hundreds Of Them Since. Believe In Yourself And Your Ideas ⚒️
Image credits: anicirl
#20 I Made My Own Prom Dress Inspired By Van Gogh’s Starry Night!
Image credits: GDolphinz
#21 I Made A Big Drawing Of An Eye. Artist For Scale
Image credits: t_abs_art
#22 Let Me Know What You Think Of My Cat In A Kimono Linocut Print
Image credits: JFCarvings
#23 This Came Back From The Kiln!! Huzzah!
Image credits: 2crowsonmymantle
#24 I Knitted/Woven These Bracelets With Pure Silver Wires
Image credits: kibelem
#25 Macrame Hammock
Image credits: magictoysby
#26 Meet My Light Pink Peony?☺️
Image credits: bngarchoi
#27 Getting Back Into Painting After Taking A Break For A Few Years
Image credits: salt_watercolors
#28 I Printed The Sheet Music Of A Couple’s Wedding Song Onto Fabric And Made Baby Booties For Their First Child
Image credits: IsopodOk7402
#29 I Made Three Autumn Themed Animals In Bottles. Which One Do You Like The Most?
Image credits: VeeCrafts
#30 My Handmade Sweater With Embroidery Frida Kahlo
Image credits: by_VerShy
#31 Made This Mega Stained Glass Mirror!
Image credits: Sea-Cryptographer311
#32 Wanted To Share My Beanie Baby Halloween Cookies That I Am So Incredibly Proud Of! ??
Image credits: flourshour
#33 I Hand-Embroidered And Watercolored The Cute And Ungovernable: Moo Deng!
Image credits: rebordacao
#34 Always Wanted To Paint - Gave It A Try!
Image credits: GeorgeBrostanza3181
#35 Acorn Bag!
Image credits: 11never
#36 Spent The Last Month Making This Biblically Accurate Angel Costume! Happy Halloween!
Image credits: SadCatFriend
#37 Framed Tufting Artwork
Image credits: Leading_Arachnid8430
#38 An Acrylic Painting I Finally Finished Called 'Wake'
Image credits: Space_Velvet
#39 This Is My Wife's New Design, It Is Still Not Finished Yet But I Wonder About Your Thoughts, What Do You Think?
Image credits: Spirited-Bat8046
#40 A Choker Handmade By Me. The Main Stone Is Labradorite, Hanging From The Bottom Are Grey Moonstone In Tear Drop Shape And Colorful Tourmaline Beads.?
Image credits: Ok-Abbreviations2042
#41 I Made A Fused Glass Rainbow Bridge
Image credits: alfie_cant_draw
#42 I Built An 8-Foot Tall Whimsical Bookcase From Plywood, Lauan, Poplar, And Padauk. This Was A Fun Build And My Wife Absolutely Loves It! The Pictures Show The Whole Bookcase But I Also Made A Build Video Describing The Techniques I Used To Make Everything: Https://Www.youtube.com/Watch?v=eckqtjbw2ra
Image credits: AtomicDairy
#43 I Made Little Pygmy Hippos In A Bottle
Image credits: VeeCrafts
#44 A ‘Cheese’-Cake That I Made My 2year Old That Is Obsessed With A Certain Brand
Image credits: blue_fox_87
#45 “If You Don’t Try, You’ll Never Know.”
Image credits: TeanieMcpuffin
#46 Halloween Costumes For The Kids: Angler Fish And A "Soul Eater"
Image credits: StrugglebusMD
#47 My Favorite Stained Glass Cake Slice Box So Far! ??
Image credits: ConfoOsedBride
#48 No Soliciting Sign
Image credits: Painted_Skye
#49 King Ghidorah Costume I Made! Happy Halloween!
Image credits: Rexxaroo
#50 Needed My Coop Painted And Also Needed To Use What Paint I Had... I Love It! ❤️
Image credits: mamaferal
