By Heather Mann

4 Coffee Filter Crafts

1. Coffee Filter Snowflakes: Cutting snowflakes out of paper is fun for kids of all ages, and even more fun when the final result is as pretty as coffee filter snowflakes. For added glam, paint on a little glue and sprinkle with some fine, powdery glitter.

Crafting Tip: Fold coffee filters in half, three times, to create eight sections. Snip away here and there with scissors to create your unique snowflake. Unfold, and apply glue and glitter.

Tip: Add coffee filter snowflakes to your winter place settings and melt your guests’ hearts!

2. Coffee Filter Snowflake Garlands: Once you have made a bunch of coffee filter snowflakes, put them to work decorating your home for winter. Hang a snowflake garland in the window, across the mantel or on an empty wall to add some sparkly cheer to your home.

Crafting Tip: String coffee filter snowflakes on a length of white twine, then hang where desired.

3. White Ruffle Coffee Filter Wreath: Nobody will ever know your little secret—the gorgeous ruffled wreath on your front door is made of coffee filters! This craft is simple to make and looks very high end when finished. If your style is romantic or shabby chic, look no further than this ruffled wreath.

Crafting Tip: Fold coffee filters in half, three times, fluff, then hot glue to a wreath form, overlapping as you go. Add a pretty ribbon to embellish.

4. Coffee Filter Cone-Shaped Tree: This sweet little ruffled tree is a darling decoration for the holidays or beyond. Decorate it according to your preferred décor style—we used pearl beads, but you can use jewel-toned beads, buttons, ribbons, bows or no embellishments at all!

1. Fold coffee filters in half, twice, and cut off the ruffles of the filters.
2. Glue the ruffle strips to the foam form, starting at the bottom and working your way up the cone. Trim ruffles as needed to fit.
3. Embellish with pearl-headed straight pins, or glue pearls on straight pins to make your own.
4. Hot glue the candlestick to the bottom of the tree to complete the look.

Tip: Hot glue can melt the foam upon contact. To reduce the shrinking, apply hot glue to the filter, let it cool for 3 seconds, and then apply to the foam form.

Coloring Ideas

• Tea-dye the filters to create an antiqued look.
• Flatten coffee filters and paint with watercolors.
• Dye coffee filters by submerging them in a bowl of water tinted with food coloring, and allow to dry.
• Tie-dye coffee filters by coloring with washable marker, then mist with water.
• Stamp coffee filters with rubber stamps or handmade eraser stamps.
• Darken edges of coffee filters with distressing ink to add an aged look.

Heather Mann is chief editor of Dollar Store Crafts, and specializes in transforming inexpensive materials into stylish and simple craft projects. She has appeared on the Martha Stewart Show and been featured in Reader’s Digest and the New York Times, and her work has appeared on the cover of Family Fun Magazine.