What Rhode Island DIYers Are Doing This Weekend (And You’ll Want To Try Too)

Rhode Island’s creative community is buzzing with weekend DIY projects that blend coastal inspiration with personal expression. From Newport Beach houses to Providence apartments, I’ve seen these projects popping up everywhere.

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and unleash your inner artist. Grab your supplies and join the fun, Rhode Island is DIY central this weekend!

1. Sea Glass Jewelry Crafting

Ocean-tumbled treasures transform into wearable art when Rhode Islanders hit the beaches for sea glass hunting. The frosted pieces found along Narragansett shores become stunning pendants and earrings with just wire, pliers, and imagination.

Though collecting requires patience, locals swear early morning hunts after high tide yield the best results. Blues and aquamarines remain the most coveted colors, commanding bragging rights at craft fairs.

Beginners typically start with simple wire wrapping techniques before advancing to more complex settings with silver solder and bezels.

2. Driftwood Centerpiece Building

Weathered wood washed ashore becomes striking table art when Rhode Islanders collect and arrange driftwood pieces. Locals venture to secluded beaches during low tide, hunting for perfectly smooth, silvery specimens to create nautical conversation starters.

Many artisans incorporate small succulents, fairy lights, or locally-collected shells between the wood pieces. The natural curves and weathered textures tell stories of ocean journeys while bringing coastal charm indoors.

Surprisingly, no two pieces ever look alike. Nature’s handiwork ensures each centerpiece remains uniquely Rhode Island.

3. Macramé Wall Hangings

Knotted cotton rope creates stunning textural art in this revival craft sweeping through Providence’s creative circles. While appearing complex, macramé requires just basic knots repeated in patterns, square knots and half hitches form the foundation for most designs.

Local fiber enthusiasts gather at weekend workshops to share techniques for incorporating driftwood, copper pipe, or vintage boat cleats as hanging rods. Natural cotton remains popular, though some artists experiment with hand-dyeing rope using foraged plants.

The meditative quality of knotting draws many Rhode Islanders seeking stress relief, along with beautiful wall art.

4. Custom Doormat Painting

How can a simple doormat make a big splash at your front door? Plain coir doormats become personalized welcome statements with just a little stenciling, outdoor paint, and a dash of creativity.

Rhode Islanders are anchored in nautical themes, anchors, waves, and coordinates from local beaches often adorn front porches. For a more playful touch, witty sayings like “Wipe your feet, we’re probably out of paper towels” are trending with younger crafters, especially in Providence apartments.

To make it last, just secure your stencils, dab on weather-resistant paint, and seal it with a spray to protect against New England’s wild weather. It’s the perfect way to add personality, and a bit of humor to your entryway!

5. Upcycled Furniture Painting

Thrift store furniture finds new life through chalk paint and coastal-inspired techniques. Rhode Islanders scour estate sales and Craigslist for solid wood pieces, particularly dressers and side tables with good bones but dated finishes.

Milk paint in seafoam greens and weathered blues dominates the color palette, often distressed to mimic years of salt air exposure. Some artisans incorporate actual maps of Narragansett Bay or Block Island through decoupage techniques.

Weekend workshops at Newport’s repurpose stores teach beginners how to strip, sand and transform forgotten furniture into coastal statement pieces without breaking the bank.

6. Nautical Rope Bowls With Ocean Vibes

Rhode Islanders are transforming simple cotton rope into stunning decorative bowls that capture the essence of coastal living. The process requires only a few materials, cotton rope, fabric glue, and optional paint for customization.

Crafters start by coiling the rope into a spiral, securing each round with fabric glue as they build upward to form the bowl’s shape. Many DIYers add blue ombré effects or painted wave patterns to celebrate their connection to Narragansett Bay.

These versatile containers work perfectly as keys-and-coins catchalls in entryways or as centerpieces filled with seashells collected from local beaches. The therapeutic winding process makes this an ideal Sunday afternoon project while listening to the distant sound of foghorns.

7. Quahog Shell Candle Making

The humble quahog shell, a Rhode Island icon, is getting a luminous makeover this weekend. After enjoying traditional stuffies (stuffed quahogs), locals save the larger shells for this brilliant upcycling project that honors the state’s shellfish heritage.

Crafters melt soy wax, add ocean-inspired scents like sea salt or beach rose, and carefully pour the mixture into cleaned shells. A short wick anchored with a drop of hot wax completes these natural votives that burn for several hours.

These shell candles create a magical ambiance on patios during cool evenings or serve as thoughtful gifts that capture Rhode Island’s maritime spirit. Many makers personalize them further by embedding tiny beach pebbles or sea glass around the edges.

8. Block Island Driftwood Mobiles

How do you bring the beach indoors? Weathered treasures from Block Island’s shorelines are transformed into elegant hanging art by Rhode Island’s DIYers.

Beachcombers pick smooth, salt-worn driftwood and connect the pieces with fishing line or copper wire in balanced tiers. Many incorporate shells, sea glass, or copper bells that tinkle in the breeze.

Hanging from porches and sunrooms, these mobiles capture the ocean’s calming vibe. The driftwood’s organic shapes and patina create shifting shadow patterns, bringing the serene spirit of the beach right into your home.

9. Homemade Beeswax Wraps

Homemade beeswax wraps are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap. This weekend, families in Rhode Island are crafting these wraps, perfect for preserving food with style and sustainability. With colorful fabrics and natural beeswax, these wraps add a touch of creativity to everyday items.

The process is simple, select your fabric, melt the beeswax, and infuse the fabric with it. It’s a fun, hands-on activity suitable for all ages, promoting environmental consciousness.

Workshops and online guides are helping to spread this sustainable practice, making it a community favorite for those looking to reduce their plastic use.