Autumn Craft Ideas: Stencils, Stamps & a Touch of Gold Sparkle
- Lel
- Sep 29
- 4 min read
The air feels crisp, the leaves are turning golden, and fairy lights are starting to twinkle in the evenings, it can only mean one thing: cosy season has arrived. With that arrival, the internal debate of how early is too early for pumpkin spice everything commences! Fairy lights in September, anyone?
We love the festive months, but the transition into Autumn is a truly exciting feeling after a long, somewhat warm and sunny (we are in Scotland after all!) summer. Time to clean, clear away and bunker down, moving from outdoor activities into darker nights and cosy evenings. Hot cocoa...maybe even a cheeky mulled wine once the weather really does turn.
There is so much inspiration to be taken from the seasonal change as well, a transition into a darker, richer colour palette and the call to crafting is never stronger. With the cold weather and dark nights, a handmade craft or project, or a few autumn craft ideas, is just the right kind of soul food we all need right now.
So here in chilly Scotland, there’s definitely something special about autumn into winter. Sunday afternoons where the kettle is always on, and you can sink into a creative project or experiment with DIY stencils and furniture stamps while the world outside slows down.
We haven’t had any time to rest though, the changing of the leaves here signal a change of inspiration, texture and colours, and with that comes a new release season at Made by Marley. We have been working extra hard, being bold, taking risks and trying to distil that seasonal feeling into a collection of creative tools and materials, including seasonal crafts and gold pigments, that should spark some inspiration for our lovely community!
And with the new release comes my favourite part of any release, getting to dive into making and creating with the new items! We do rigorous testing throughout product development, but the joy really comes when I get to plan out some projects and get my hands painty...and my arms…and possibly my clothes. I want to share some of what I’ve been making in preparation for our release in this blog, but also if you’re looking to dive more into the process of creating any of these items, we are running a video on our YouTube channel every day this Wonder Week. Think of it like a mini crafting advent calendar, one project a day, no chocolate, but plenty of sparkle. Perfect for inspiring autumn craft ideas and cosy creative projects.
Our new collection covers everything from whimsical Halloween stencils to nostalgic Christmas designs. They’re versatile enough for furniture makeovers, décor projects, or even small craft pieces, so whether you’re giving a side table a new lease of life, creating a festive crate, or adding a retro pumpkin flourish for spooky season, there’s something here for you.
For the non-holiday lovers, we have some fantastic go-to staple designs. The standouts for us would be our new “Bloom” stamp, a bohemian, hand-drawn floral number; our new stencil “Lore,” which has a beautiful mandala pattern with plentiful borders; and our “Fable” stamp, with its rich patterned tiles that can be combined and layered. These are perfect for autumn craft ideas that aren’t tied to a holiday.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “These stencils and pigments look amazing, but how do I stop them looking like a toddler went rogue with a paintbrush?” Don’t worry, I’ve been there (clothes covered, brushes wrecked, pug suspiciously sparkly).
Lel's Tips: Autumn Craft Ideas with Stencils & Stamps
Less paint is key. Thick paint is a troublemaker, it bleeds where it shouldn’t. Always offload your brush onto a scrap of cardboard, then work in swirly-twirly motions. A dry brush with barely-there paint gives those crisp, dreamy edges.
Stick it down. Wobbly stencils = heartbreak. A bit of tape or tacky spray keeps everything snug and steady. Bonus points for a dense-bristled brush.
Build in layers. Don’t rush for full coverage. Gentle layers add depth and texture, and they just look more professional.
Placement is everything. Don’t just plonk it in the middle, wrap it round edges, borders, or pick out little sections for original one-off looks.
Clean as you go. I know, I know—it’s tempting to “just do one more,” but paint build-up blurs detail. A baby wipe between stencils keeps things sharp. (Future you will thank you when clean-up time comes.)
Autumn Craft Ideas: Going for Gold
And because a little sparkle never goes amiss, we’ve also launched the very first of our metallic pigments, Lel’s Lustres, in the colour Goldi-Luxe. Just a dusting or a sweep can instantly lift your project from beautiful to bougie, perfect for Christmas décor, or when you want to add a touch of glamour to your furniture art. These are especially fun for autumn craft ideas and festive projects.
Mix it in. A little pigment stirred into top coat, wax or varnish = instant bougie finish. (I usually find any spare receptacle I can find lying around, glamorous, I know.)
Dry brush magic. Skim across raised details for subtle antique highlights—like vintage, but without the dusty attic smell.
Layer for luxe. One coat is fine, but two or three light ones? That’s when it catches the light like treasure.
Experiment everywhere. Picture frames, glass vases, fabric, Christmas baubles… if it sits still long enough, it’s fair game.
Remember: a little goes a long way. Go thin for a burnished glow, thicker for dazzle, then seal to lock in that sparkle.
So light a candle, grab your brushes, and let yourself get lost in colour, pattern, and creativity. This collection was designed to inspire cosy afternoons and twinkly evenings of making, and we can’t wait to see what you create. Don’t forget to tag us in your projects… we love nothing more than seeing our community make magic with their own autumn craft ideas.
Love, Lel ❤️
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