While embracing the coziness of fall, Auburn students can embrace their creative side with a variety of fall crafts suggested by Auburn locals. Whether it be spooky or sweet, these crafts are truly treats for people of all ages.
Asia Thomas, an employee at Michael’s in Opelika, suggests buying a pumpkin and painting it as a fun alternative to carving a pumpkin. Thomas also mentioned that people could decorate a wreath with fall flowers, which can be reused for years to come.
Lucy Taylor and Reilly Deshazo, both art majors at Auburn University, presented several ideas for potential crafts, including an edible option. They suggested creating mummy weenies, which entails making pigs in a blanket with thin strands of dough wrapped around the hot dogs before cooking. Once they’re completed cooking, edible candy eyes can be added to each mummy.
Taylor said she personally created a little ghost to hang in her doorway. To create this, one would need to attach wire on the sides of a styrofoam ball in order to replicate the ghost’s arms. After this, white fabric would be placed over the ball and wire and three black circles would be painted for the ghost’s eyes and mouth. Finally, attaching a clear string to the top of the ghost and hanging it in a doorway would allow it to float and spin, giving life to this craft.
Deshazo suggested stenciling with leaves, a process that involves placing a leaf on fabric or canvas, then painting the back of the leaf with a paintbrush or sponge with a thin layer of paint. Once the leaf is carefully removed, a subtle impression will remain.
Christy Barlow, a manager at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, handles the PreK-12 and family programs and organizes hands-on activities. She suggested another way in which leaves can be used in crafts: wax watercolor resist. Wax watercolor resist can be a quick, simple craft for children or even a way for adults to “channel their inner child.”
“Do some leaf rubbing with crayon and go over that with watercolor — you can get really beautiful results. That’s a really cool way to use that fall foliage and make a really interesting art project, inspired by the natural environment around you,” Barlow said.
At the Jule Collins Smith Museum, the crafting activities organized are all inspired by the museum’s exhibitions and collections. Gathering Paradise by Sandy Skoglund is an art piece in particular that motivated fall crafts for children visiting the gallery.
“It argues with the comfort of contemporary life, so while this scene is familiar, there’s a bunch of added randomness to it — the combination of colors makes you uncomfortable,” said Eleanor Hickman, a student guide at the museum.
The piece features a vibrant pink backyard in the background that contrasts with the dark black squirrels and crows filling the middle and foreground, which is precisely why it was chosen for "spooky season" crafts.
Those working with the children and family programs at the museum placed spray-painted paper squirrels in the gallery for a scavenger hunt. Recreating the elements of an already existing art piece can be a great and easy way to find inspiration, while still adding a personal touch.
Whether it be pumpkin painting, wreath making or leaf transfer, fall crafts are the perfect way to take a break from the stress of classes, employ creativity and embrace one’s inner child.
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Ella Walton, majoring in English literature with a minor in creative writing, currently serves as the culture editor at The Auburn Plainsman. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since fall of 2023.
