Credit: craftster.org
If you hear "crafts" and think of old ladies knitting, boring scrapbooks, and cheesy sewing projects, then you're not spending enough time on Craftster, where members (aka, "crafty hipsters") share their ideas, tips, and inspiration for modern, funky, and fun projects—all handmade, of course.
Along with regular features—like Fiber Thursday, where projects include woven scarves, hats, and pillows; Gamer Wedesday, where you'll see work like MacBook cozies and Nintendo-inspired sweaters; and Tute Tuesday, which offers instructions for messenger bags, refashioned sweaters, and halter dresses—Craftster also includes featured projects that range from reconstructed t-shirts and pint-sized brooches to decorative shadowboxes and upcycled sweater boots. Check for easy projects in the Wear it This Weekend series, and spend some time on Friday making a fringed scarf or pajama pants to show off on Saturday.
And while you're crafting, take advantage of the Craftster community through message boards for specific categories: Glass Crafts; Quilting; Purses, Bags, and Wallets; Crafting for Good and Not Evil; Fiber Arts; Jewelry and Trinkets; More Art, Less Craft; Bath and Beauty; and many others. There, you can post projects, get advice, view tutorials from other users, and participate in Craftster Challenges for extra inspiration. Since Cthe site targets "indie crafts," you'll find tons of exciting ways to turn those by-the-book projects into one-of-a-kind artwork.
