My house recently started looking like a family of chipmunks decorated it. Acorns everywhere, a suspicious amount of moss, and suddenly, mushrooms. Lots and lots of mushrooms.
But honestly? I’m not mad about it. There’s something about mushroom decor that just hits different. It’s quirky, it’s nature-inspired, and it adds that pinch of whimsy that keeps a room from looking like a boring furniture showroom.
If you’ve been scrolling through Pinterest and wondering how to get in on this fungi frenzy without spending a fortune at those overpriced boutique shops, I’ve got you covered. I’ve rounded up eight DIY mushroom crafts that are actually doable, even if your last craft project ended in a hot glue gun disaster. (We’ve all been there, right? :/ )
Grab your supplies, clear off the kitchen table, and let’s make some magic happen.
1. Forest Friend Mason Jars
You know those plain mason jars collecting dust in your cabinet? Let’s give them a reason to exist beyond holding loose screws and dried-out beans.
Turning Glass into Fungi
This is probably the easiest win on the list. I made a set of these last fall for a friend’s birthday, and I almost kept them for myself. Almost.
Here’s the deal: You’re going to grab some mason jars, a pack of air-dry clay, and some acrylic paint. Roll the clay into little snake shapes and flatten them slightly to form mushroom stems. For the caps, make small balls and flatten them into circles, then pinch one side to give them that classic toadstool shape. Attach them to the jar using a tiny bit of water to help the clay stick.
Once the clay is dry, paint the stems a creamy off-white and the caps whatever color makes your heart happy. I’m a sucker for classic red with white dots, but a muted sage green looks incredibly chic too.
- Pro Tip: Pop a battery-operated tea light inside. The light glowing through the painted jars at night? Chef’s kiss.
- Use them for: Holding paintbrushes, utensils at a garden party, or just as a cute catch-all on your nightstand.
2. Storybook Polymer Clay Earrings
If you’re like me, your jewelry box is a graveyard of broken chains and single earrings that lost their mate. Why not add something handmade and adorable to the mix?
Wearable Whimsy
Polymer clay is my absolute favorite medium. It’s forgiving, which is great because I am not a patient person. Sculpey is my go-to brand because it doesn’t crumble while you’re working with it.
Roll out little mushroom shapes—keep them small unless you want your earlobes to touch your shoulders. I like to make the stems tan and the caps a dusty pink or lavender. Before baking, poke the hole for the earring finding using a toothpick.
Ever wondered why some homemade clay jewelry looks so professional? It’s all in the sanding. After baking, sand the edges lightly with fine-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish, then add a coat of gloss varnish.
IMO, these make the best gifts for the “goth fairy” friend in your life. You know the one. 😉
3. Twig and Acorn Cap Stools
This one requires a short nature walk, which is really just an excuse to get some fresh air. Bring a bag and channel your inner squirrel.
Foraging for Supplies
You’re looking for small, sturdy twigs for the stems and acorn caps for—you guessed it—the mushroom tops. If you can’t find acorn caps, those little round seed pods from sweet gum trees work perfectly too.
Once you’ve got your haul, grab your trusty hot glue gun. Glue the acorn cap onto the top of the twig. The key here is to let the glue cool completely before you start fussing with them. I may have ruined a few by being too impatient.
- Display Ideas:
- Arrange them in a tiny cluster inside a terracotta pot filled with moss.
- Glue a small magnet on the back for an adorable fridge decoration.
- Place them inside a fairy garden for a scale-appropriate look.
4. Whimsical Wood Slice Paintings
Wood slices are the unsung heroes of the craft world. You can buy a bag of them for next to nothing, and they instantly make any project look rustic and intentional.
Painting on a Natural Canvas
Grab a wood slice and a pencil. Sketch a simple mushroom shape right on the bark. Don’t overthink this—mushrooms in nature aren’t perfectly symmetrical, so yours shouldn’t be either.
Use acrylic paint to fill in your design. I love using a dotting tool (or the back of a paintbrush) to make perfect little spots on the caps. It’s satisfyingly therapeutic.
The best part about this craft is that it’s impossible to mess up. If it looks a little wonky, just call it “abstract” and move on. Turn them into ornaments by adding a ribbon, or prop them up on a shelf using a tiny easel.
5. Concrete Mushroom Garden Stakes
Moving on to something a little more heavy-duty. Concrete crafts sound intimidating, but they are surprisingly simple. Plus, they can live outside without blowing away in the first strong wind.
Mixing the Magic
You’ll need some quick-dry cement mix, a mold for the cap (an old plastic bowl works), and a mold for the stem (try a cardboard tube from a toilet paper roll). You’ll also need a longer screw or a piece of sturdy wire to connect the two parts.
Mix the concrete according to the package directions. Fill the cap mold first and let it set slightly. Insert the screw or wire into the center, leaving part of it sticking out. Fill the stem mold and attach it to the protruding wire.
Let it cure for at least 24 hours. Pop them out of the molds and paint them with outdoor acrylic paint. Stick a long metal rod into the base, and voilà—instant garden art that won’t blow over.
6. Felted Wool Mushroom Pillows
Want something cozy? Let’s move to the living room. These pillows are soft, huggable, and add a pop of texture to a neutral couch.
No-Sew or Low-Sew Options
If you can wield a pair of scissors, you can make these. Grab some wool blend felt in your chosen colors. For a simple no-sew version, cut out two identical mushroom cap shapes and a long rectangle for the stem.
Use fabric glue to seal the edges. Hot glue works in a pinch, but fabric glue gives a cleaner finish. Stuff it with polyester filling before sealing the bottom.
For a more polished look, do a simple whipstitch around the edge with embroidery floss. The stitches add a charming, handmade quality that you just can’t buy at the store. Throw one on your bed or armchair and try not to smile every time you see it.
7. Fairy Light Mushroom Terrariums
Remember those mason jars from number one? This is their fancy cousin. We’re building a whole ecosystem here. Well, a fake one.
Building a Miniature World
Start with a clean glass jar—any size works. Layer small rocks at the bottom for drainage, then add a layer of activated charcoal (trust me, it prevents mold), and top it with moss.
Now for the mushrooms. You can use small pre-made ceramic toadstools, or sculpt your own from polymer clay. Arrange them among the moss to look like they just sprouted.
- The Game Changer: Weave a strand of fairy lights through the moss before sealing the jar.
- The Result: A magical nightlight that glows and makes your room feel like an enchanted forest.
8. Painted Rock Mushroom Markers
If you have kids, or you just enjoy the simple things in life, this is the project for you. It’s cheap, fast, and useful.
Functional Garden Art
Find some smooth, flat-ish rocks. Wash them off and let them dry. Paint the entire rock in your base color—white for the stem, red for the cap.
Once that’s dry, add the details. Use a fine-tip paint pen to add the gills underneath the cap and the spots on top. These make fantastic plant markers for your herb garden.
Paint a little “Basil” or “Mint” on the stem part, and stick them in the soil of your pots. Now you know what you’re growing, and your plants look way cooler than your neighbor’s. 🙂
Go Forth and Get Funky
So there you have it—eight ways to turn your home into a whimsical mushroom wonderland without breaking the bank. Whether you’re mixing concrete for the garden or gluing acorns in the kitchen, the most important thing is to have fun with it.
Don’t stress about perfection. Some of my favorite projects started as total accidents. That lopsided clay mushroom? It has “character.” That glue gun string you can’t get off? It adds “texture.”
I’d love to know which one you’re tackling first. Drop a comment and let me know—or better yet, send a picture of your finished project! Happy crafting, you funky little fungi.
