45 Awesome Vintage Style Craft Ideas

Loraine loves arts and crafts and used to volunteer at an elementary art class. She loves sharing fun and easy craft tutorials.

Timeless Styles

When I think of vintage-style crafts, I think of items that were made in the styles of the 1930s and 1940s. To folks younger than me, vintage could mean styles of the 1950s, 1960s, or even the 1970s. It really depends on what you might call old-fashioned styles, and of course, what seems old-fashioned to me most probably seems ancient to you.

To me, vintage crafts incorporate buttons, laces, beads, or old photos or images. To someone younger, you might include items like rick rack and doilies. So, whether you call these crafts antique crafts, shabby chic crafts, Victorian crafts, vintage crafts, or rustic crafts, one thing they all have in common is that they are old-fashioned crafts to the person describing them.

With this thought in mind, I searched the internet to find as many vintage-style crafts as I could find that also included a nice picture of the craft and a tutorial for making the craft. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many crafts that met all my expectations. I hope you find a vintage-style craft or two that you'll find irresistible and just have to craft for yourself.

You'll find the tutorial for making the beautiful vintage chandelier pendants shown above at favecrafts.

1. Primitive Cupboard

Making a primitive cupboard like the one shown here is a whole lot easier to do than you'd ever imagine. A wooden crate and an old picture frame are the main supplies needed, and you probably have at least the picture frame. Probably have been hanging on to it in case a great craft showed up. You're going to be pleased with the tutorial at Knick of Time, which will guide you in making the cupboard.

2. Vintage Tiered Serving Plate

If you are someone who loves to go to garage sales, you'll know that old dishes and stemware are usually included. So, there's no need in using a family heirloom to make vintage crafts. The tutorial for making this beautiful tiered serving plate can be found at sewcountrychick.

3. Lace Brooches

Wear a lace brooch that you have crafted casually with jeans or formally with dress-up clothes. You'll see how easy these lace brooches are to make by going to the Created in AWE site.

4. Vintage Folk Art Pumpkins

Change purchased paper mache pumpkins into vintage folk art by following the tutorial at Smile Mercantile.

5. Vintage Tinted Coffee Filter Rose

The Shabby Tree has a wonderful picture tutorial for making these coffee filter roses.

6. Vintage Plates

If you are someone who loves to go to rummage sales, garage sales, or flea markets, you know that there is always vintage tableware for sale. Then all you need to make these plates unique is to follow the tutorial at Honestly WTF, where you'll find that water slide decals are used in this project.

7. Vintage Christmas Ornaments

Find the directions for making these cute Christmas ornaments by going to the House of Hawthornes site. Use the chenille strips with the bumps.

8. Vintage Holiday Trees

Oh, these vintage holiday trees are so beautiful. To find the instructions for making these vintage-style trees, go to Midwest Living.

9. Pillow Box Favor in Vintage Style

This is a great party favor idea, especially if you need to make many favors with a limited budget. Find the instructions for making these vintage-style pillow box favors at the Crissy’s Crafts site.

10. Yo-Yo Hairpins

Make these beautiful yo-yo hairpins, inspired by Anthropologie, by following the tutorial that you'll find at Kojodesigns. A truly wonderful vintage craft.

11. Vintage Decoupage Easter Eggs

These vintage-style Easter eggs are made using plastic eggs and they may become family heirlooms in years to come. Find the instructions for making these decoupaged Easter eggs at Sew for Soul.

12. Vintage Pin Cushion

This vintage pin cushion is so beautiful that you'll want to display it in a place where everyone will notice it. The tutorial for making this pin cushion can be found at Cupcakes & Crinoline.

13. Vintage Lace Bracelet

I can't imagine one teen-aged girl that I know who wouldn't love a vintage lace bracelet. This bracelet will look beautiful with any outfit she wishes to wear it with. Make a vintage lace bracelet for yourself or give it as a gift by following the tutorial at Kojodesigns.

14. Halloween Banner

Make a vintage Halloween card banner by following the instructions given at sewcountrychick. Use images found on one of the sites included in this article.

15. Free Vintage Holiday Clip Art

Vintage Holiday is a great site to find oodles of Valentine's clip art. Make your vintage place cards, favors, cards, ornaments, etc., using free clip art.

16. The Graphics Fairy

Here is an outstanding, resource with FREE vintage clip art. You'll find almost anything you could want, from photos to music sheets, at The Graphics Fairy. You'll love this site.

17. Glitter Houses, Vintage Style

Ken, at Kens World In Progress, explains how he makes these vintage-style glitter houses. He has tips for making and decorating these little vintage houses.

18. Colored Jars

Make unique tinted jars by following the directions at Fancy That Design House.

19. Faux Vintage Mercury Glass

You can turn dollar store glassware into beautiful vintage mercury glass. Find the instructions for this project at Little Red Window.

20. Valentine Box

For that special touch, give your Valentine a gift tucked into a box that you have made yourself. The directions for making this mod-podged box is found at Pet Scribbles.

21. Secret Book Box

The tutorial for making vintage-style secret books can be found at me and my shadow.

22. How to Make a Vintage Box

23. Vintage Salt Shaker Photo Holders

You'll think of even other great uses for the vintage salt shakers that you make following the directions at Duct Tape and Denim.

24. Vintage Spool Craft

You'll find lots of great bird clip art to use for making these vintage spools with birds. Find the directions for making these cute decorator items at Pet Scribbles.

25. Vintage Style Halloween Boxes

Live Creatively Inspired is the perfect name for this craft blog that shares the tutorial for making the vintage-style Halloween boxes shown above. These are a favorite project that really has my interest. Love it.

26. Shabby Christmas Centerpiece

Sometimes the simpler the centerpiece is to make, the more beautiful it is in its simplicity. This centerpiece, with a tutorial for making it at Confessions of a Plate Addict is truly an example of simple beauty.

27. Outsize Wooden Dice

A very nice piece of art to display on a mantel or shelf. Find the instructions for making these outsize wooden dice at Thrifty and Chic.

28. French Script Fruit

The French script fruit that is shown above, is a decoupage project that you'll want to do. You'll find the tutorial at Confessions of a Plate Addict has all the information that you need to make this beautiful fruit.

29. Farm Fresh Pumpkins Sign

Use pallet wood to make this outstanding, vintage-looking, farm-fresh pumpkins sign to add to your decor. The Craft Patch is where to find the instructions for building it.

30. Vintage Toy Sheep

This vintage toy sheep project is just too cute to pass up. Go to the Edith and Evelyn site for the easy-to-follow instructions.

31. Coffee Filter Flowers

32. Bread Dough Rose

This is a craft, using bread dough clay, that has been around for many years and still is fun to do. Make this beautiful bread dough rose by following the tutorial found at favecrafts. Make these roses to enhance a vintage-style box or use them for jewelry.

33. Vintage Tool Box

Old wood or wood from a pallet would be perfect to make your toolbox. The tutorial for how to make this toolbox is found at Confessions of a Serial Diyer.

34. Tussy Mussy

This tutorial from The Funkie Junkie uses images that make this tussy mussy suitable for Easter, but imagine using other images so the tussy mussy can be displayed at other times.

35. Vintage Cherub Ornaments

Vintage cherub ornaments would be a great theme for a special Christmas tree. Crafts By Amanda includes in the instructions how to give the ornaments the crackled look.

36. Vintage Halloween Diorama

Plaid online has great instructions for making this vintage Halloween diorama.

37. Chicken Wired Jars

I love these chicken wire-covered jars. Imagine how you could use these in your decor. You'll find a great tutorial for this project at The Speckled Hen Cottage.

38. Vintage Jute Flower Wreath

The simplicity of this wreath contributes to its beauty. Find the tutorial for making this jute flower by going to the lune site.

39. Vintage Angel Tree Topper

This is but one great project that you'll find at The Graphics Fairy. Besides finding the instructions for making this angel tree topper here, this site also has oodles of FREE vintage images.

40. Vintage Weather Vane

Finish a table or mantel arrangement with this vintage weather vane. You'll find the patterns and instructions for making this horse weather vane at Kids & Glitter.

41. Designer Button Egg

Whether you choose to use plain or very fancy buttons when you make these eggs, you're sure to get a beautiful designer look when you finish. The tutorial for making button eggs is found at Something Created Everyday.

42. Vintage Fabric Flower Garland

I love, love, love this fabric flower garland. I'm sure I could think of any number of ways to use this garland. A bridal shower is the first thing that comes to mind. Go to two shades of pink for the tutorial.

43. Old-Fashioned Holiday Garland

Dried fruit and cinnamon gingerbread men make this old-fashioned holiday garland one that you'll want to hang on your tree or by the fireplace. The recipes and instructions for this holiday garland can be found at Fireflies & Mud Pies.

44. Vintage Book Page Hearts Garden

Make an outstanding hearts garden using book pages, wire, and little flower pots. Spanish moss and jute finish the rustic look.

45. Burlap Flower

Be sure to check out how to make this super easy burlap flower. It could be used to decorate a gift package, pinned to a purse, used as a corsage . . . the possibilities are endless.

© 2014 Loraine Brummer

Do you like the vintage style? - Or leave a comment.

Ana Maria Orantes from Miami Florida on May 18, 2018:

Hello miss Brummer. I like your hub. The art pictures are beautiful. I like them all; specially, I like the button egg. It is cute. Your hub is full of creative well done ideas. Thank you for sharing it.

Margaret Schindel from Massachusetts on February 18, 2014:

What a terrific compilation of wonderful vintage-style crafts! Well done and thanks for sharing! :)