If the pandemic has taught parents anything, it’s the importance of keeping kids busy at home. As author, mother of eight, cook, and professional crafter Kristin Gambaccini shares in Crafty Family Ideas: Projects to Make, Things to Bake, and Lots of Homemade(ish) Fun (Fox Chapel Publishing), craft projects are also a fundamental way for families to connect. Gambaccini spoke to PW about what crafting means to her and how sharing her love for all things DIY—whether on the page, screen, or onstage with Kelly Clarkson—has brought her even greater joy.
There’s more stress placed on parents now than ever before. How might the hands-on activities in the book help families who are struggling to cope?
Listen, every parent knows life can get crazy hectic. Between juggling school, sports, after-school activities, work, and household demands, the thought of adding “one more thing” to the long list of things to do seems impossible. But slowing down, putting the “extra” stuff on the backburner and spending time with your child creatively is an amazing way to bring you back into the moment and make the best memories.
Tell me about the origins of the craft projects you present. Were many of them activities you did yourself as a child, or did you discover them while raising your own children? How about the recipes?
The crafts and recipes in the book are a mix of childhood nostalgia and new ideas. I’ve always had an overactive creative brain. By the time I was 8 years old, I made my first wreath from an old metal coat hanger, a glue gun, and a bag of old silk flowers, and our well-loved Betty Crocker cookbook was my best friend! Every week I cooked, baked, or prepared a new dish—all by myself—from her stained, dogeared pages. It’s as though fate knew what was in store for me and had me preparing and mastering homemaking for my future ‘Mom Job to Many’ from the start!
Can you describe a few of the projects in the book?
Crafty Family Ideas guides the reader through fun, seasonal crafts and amazing homestyle comfort foods. Everything is budget-friendly—because for my big family, it has to be—and made with simple, easy-to-find supplies. One of my favorite projects in the book is the Gumball Machine. It’s made with some of the most random things—a red plastic cup, a disposable spoon and a Christmas ornament—and when they’re put together, they create this adorable craft that totally looks exactly like a real gumball machine! It’s perfect for classroom parties or just something fun to make for home.
Tell me about how you decided to structure the book and organize the various projects and recipes.
The book is organized in such a fun, user-friendly way. Although it walks you through a year of colorful seasonal creativity, the book is also chock full of hard-earned “Mom” tips and tricks that I’ve learned along the way through trial and a whole lot of error. It’s bursting with pictures and clear, easy to follow step-by-step instructions that will guide even the most novice crafter to a successful end project.
What would you say to a parent who doesn’t feel that they are particularly “crafty?”
I think our society has bought into this idea that our children expect a sort of perfection from us. From planning their birthday parties, running their classroom parties, to decorating their bedrooms, the internet has supplied most of us parents with ‘happy child guidelines’ that seem completely unreachable. The reality is, our children simply want our presence. Anything that comes along with that quality time is an added bonus. And regardless of the final outcome of the activity you’re partaking in together, their memories will reflect nothing but perfection. Speaking from much experience, sometimes the biggest fails are the most treasured and funniest moments. Don’t ever be afraid to mess up around your kids!
How have you been reaching out to potential readers? Any upcoming appearances on Kelly Clarkson?
I taped a segment for Kelly a few weeks ago for her “Splashing into Summer” episode! We created—virtually—homemade bubbles together and had so much fun! It’s my fifth time as a guest on the show and each time is like the first: just as exciting, just as magical! I also have my own show, taped weekly in my home studio called “Craft Table.” Each episode walks you through creating a unique decor craft idea and then uses those same supplies to craft a fun activity with your kids. My youngest kiddos are creating right along with me, too. Although it airs on the Armstrong Neighborhood Channel, all the episodes are available on YouTube.
Do you have an all-time favorite craft activity you can share?
I’m not sure if I have a specific all-time favorite craft, but I certainly have an all-time favorite crafting style. For years, I fell into trends that led me to decorate and craft my home the way others said I should. It was beautiful, but it was cold and Pinterest-y. One day it dawned on me. We live here. We have certain styles and tastes. A home is a reflection of those that inhabit it and we are a colorful, vibrant, and fun family. Our home should absolutely reflect that! I began curating a place that was a little bit of all my people with the help of all my people. Spray painted gold dinosaurs surround my houseplants; artistic self-portraits made at school adorn our dining room walls; a chalk-painted yellow piano is just the touch of sunshine our framed, handmade rainbow painting needed; and a wall full of shelves dedicated to our art supplies let my kids know that ANYTIME is a good time to create. This house is constantly changing and revolving, just like all the people living in it, and we’ve never been prouder of it!
