Handmade gift ideas from Michaels - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -- Michaels craft specialist Megan Dietz says you don't need to look for gifts when you can create them. She stopped by 'The Nine' Thursday to demonstrate some easy crafting projects. Get the steps below:

Mason Jar Gift Wrap with Gift Tags

1. Fill your mason jar with your homemade goodies (For example; cookies, caramel corn, cookie mix in a jar, gourmet chocolates)
2. Wrap a ribbon of your choice around the top of the lid.
3. Take an Ornament Frame* (found at your local Michaels), Open it up and trace the insert on a piece of decorative paper of your choice.
4. Cut out the paper and write 'To' & 'From' on the paper (make sure to include the recipient's name as well as your name). Insert into the frame and replace the backing.
5. Attach the frame to the top of the jar with a piece of ribbon to match the one you already decorated the top with. Now the recipient can have a keepsake for their tree and will think of you every year they put it on the tree,
6. You can add different baubles to the lid as well to coordinate with your goodies inside. For example, if you make a jar with dry cookie mix inside, you can attach a cookie cutter to the lid as well.

Re purposed Cookies Tins with Popsicle Stick Gift Tags

1. Clean out any old cookie/popcorn tins you aren't using
2. Choose a color and spray paint your tin
3. Make sure when using the spray paint you are in a well-ventilated area and cover your work surface with old newspapers. Turn the bottom half of the cookie tin upside down so the inside where the treats go, is face down. (You don't want to spray the inside of the tin, only the outside)
4. Spray the tin with desired color of spray paint. Make sure you are holding the can 4-6 inches away from the tin. This will ensure an even coat and no drips. The closer you get to the tin the more likely the paint will run.
5. Repeat the previous step with the lid to the cookie tin. Making sure that the inside of the lid is face down.
6. You may need to apply more than one coat. After you finish painting your containers, let dry for at least a couple of hours or until it is dry to the touch. Take any embellishment you like (stickers, sticky felt or foamy shapes, ribbons or even stamps).
7. Hole punch a hole on either side of the popsicle stick.
8. Take a marker (one that won't bleed or an oil-based paint pen) and write the recipient's name or a holiday greeting on the popsicle stick.
9. Take a piece of twine, yarn or ribbon of your choice and thread it through the top of the popsicle stick.  You will thread it along the backside of the popsicle stick up through the hole on the other side of the popsicle stick so the ribbon will be on the reverse side of the writing.
10. Wrap the ribbon across the top of the painted tin lid so the popsicle stick will be flush on the top of the lid. Glue/tape the ends of the ribbon on the inside lip of the tins so when you place the lid on the tin it will shut properly.
11. Fill the cookie tins with desired gift.

Chalkboard Gift Tags

1. Purchase plain, unfinished wooden shapes at Michaels as well as a can of chalkboard spray paint or a bottle of chalkboard paint in your desired color.
2. Remove any label or price sticker from the shape.
3. Using the chalkboard paint. Apply 1-2 coats of paint to BOTH sides of the wooden shape. Let dry completely.
4. Punch a hole so you can thread a piece of ribbon through the shape.
5. Using chalk, write your message on the tag and attach it to your package.

Duck Tape Boxes
Use colorful Duck Tape to dress up plain brown package that can be shipped in the mail!

1. Wrap up any gift that you need to ship to a loved one in a plain brown box.
2. Measure each side of the box and cut a piece of duct tape the length of each side.
3. Apply each piece of duct tape to each side if the box. Make sure that you place the duct tape so half is on one side and when you fold it down the other half will stick the opposite side of the box.
4. If you don't want to tape the edges of the box, make it look like it was wrapped with ribbon. Run a piece of duct tape around the entire box making sure you center the tape. Run the duct tape around the opposite side and add the shipping label where the bow would go.