Is DIY Really Worth the Effort?
As we welcomed the new year, I decided to furnish my apartment on a budget. I think I did pretty well, but in the process, I got a bit addicted to DIY blogs. You know those talented people who create beautiful things for almost nothing? ReFashionista is a perfect example.
Then, like many of us, I came across these blogs and thought, “Hey, I can do that!” I got hooked on Pinterest, creating boards like “Awesome DIYs.”
Why do I know this drill? Because I was one of those DIY enthusiasts. Luckily, I didn’t have much left to decorate in my apartment, thanks to some inherited furniture. The bare walls, however, were staring back at me.
While trying to figure out wall décor, I discarded the idea of hanging a risky picture frame that I had been storing. I thought of big mirrors or pricey prints from Fab or Anthropologie. But, not being a millionaire nor ready to sell a body part, I had to pass.
Soon, I became fascinated by Etsy. Dandelion seed wall decals, The Little Prince book wall art, and Wanderlust art caught my attention. But, they were still out of my spending limit.
Meanwhile, Pinterest was convincing me that I could create beautiful wall art for much less!
Hence I embarked on a DIY journey. I liked the simple quote designs and vintage prints, so I went shopping at Michael’s. I picked up a pack of canvas, some paint, vinyl letters, scrapbook paper, three plain mattes, and a few paint pens. My bill added up to $45 that I could’ve used to purchase the Little Prince wall art.
DIY seemed budget-friendly until I hit the checkout.
Anyway, I was okay with spending $45 on wall art, and I got multiple canvases to unleash my DIY skills. Then, the reality hit. The vinyl letters were junk, and my unique quote artwork was ruined when I added the spray paint layer. The thrifty and elegant use of scrapbook paper as wall art looked cheesy, and just like scrapbook paper pasted on my wall.
So, the prices on Etsy are probably fair, as these crafts require skill and the right tools. Looking back, a thrift store might have provided similar décor for less money.
This whole thing turned out to be a learning experience. To top it off, I found a hilarious site about Pinterest fails, which made me feel a bit better. If you’ve ever struggled with DIY, you are not alone out there.
So next time, think twice before biting off more DIY than you can chew!