Entering the Action and Flying Tiger Copenhagen stores can prove to be a double-edged experience, where the shelves are overflowing with finished objects at ridiculous prices, often under two euros. The temptation to fill your cart with ready-made decorations, gadgets and ornaments is strong, yet the smartest choice is to buy the raw materials rather than the final products.
The value of raw materials
The difference between buying a decorated candle holder and buying a raw glass jar is substantial. The first will probably end up in a drawer after a few months, while the second represents the beginning of a creative project. Action offers balls of wool starting from 1.67 euros, colored beads, glass jars and raw wooden supports at minimal prices. Flying Tiger offers a similar selection with basic crafting supplies: blank canvases, brushes, string and felt shapes.
Purchasing these materials means investing in the possibility of creating something unique, given that a handmade gift brings with it an added value that no industrial object can match. Whoever receives it immediately perceives the time and attention dedicated to its creation.
Projects with wool
The balls of wool available from Action are suitable for simple creations even for those who have never knitted. A free-motion woven scarf requires only your fingers and about an hour of time. The process is intuitive: create loops with your hands and proceed by weaving the thread. The result is a warm and personal accessory, perfect for the winter months.
You can also decorate other objects with wool. The colored threads are used to cover recycled glass bottles, create padded coasters or make decorative pompoms. All you need is a rough wooden board, some nails and woolen thread to compose a string art: the design is obtained by fixing the nails according to a pattern and connecting them with the thread.
Woodworking
Action’s untreated wood stands make an excellent base for projects of all kinds. The tablets can be transformed into personalized coasters with the pyrography technique, or into rustic photo holders. A simple rough frame becomes special with the addition of coffee beans, cinnamon or spices glued along the edge.
For those who want to dare more, raw wood strips allow you to build small functional objects. A post-it holder is made by assembling two thin pieces, while an original coat hanger is created from a smooth natural branch and some metal hooks. Sanding wood requires little attention: a sheet of sandpaper is enough to obtain smooth surfaces that are pleasant to the touch.
Creations with glass
The recycled glass jars sold by these shops lend themselves to endless transformations. A classic jam jar becomes a gourmet biscuit kit: the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa, chocolate chips) are arranged in layers, creating a pleasant visual effect. The recipient will only need to add the fresh ingredients.
The same jar can become a scented candle. You need soy wax, a wick and essential oils. The wax melts in a bain-marie, the fragrance is added and poured into the jar with the wick fixed in the center. A lamp is obtained by drilling the metal cover and inserting an inexpensive lamp holder purchased in the electrical department.
The right method
Before starting any project, it is best to organize your workspace. A mat protects the table, while small bowls keep small materials tidy. Working in short phases keeps your concentration high. The basic phase takes time, but the final detail makes the difference.
Buying raw materials from Action and Flying Tiger means choosing creativity. Every ball of yarn, every piece of raw wood, every empty jar is a promise of personal fulfillment. The economic savings, a non-negligible aspect, is accompanied by the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands.
Happy Holidays!
