DIY Arab Arts & Crafts At Home!

posted on: Jun 11, 2021

By: Dani Meyer/Arab America Contributing Writer

The Arab world is full of rich cultural heritage and arts. There are lots of great crafts that you can do at home that are inspired by the Arab world. Here is a list of ten great crafts, easy and hard, to get you started in the wonderful world of Arab-inspired crafts. There are crafts for children and adults! Below, you’ll find everything you need to get you started in making tealight lanterns, instruments, and Arabic calligraphy!

1. Clothespin Dabke Dancers

Dabke is an Arab folk dance native to the Levant. It is typically performed at weddings and other happy occasions. This tutorial uses wooden clothespins to make a line of Dabke dancers!

Supplies:

• Wood glue
• Sharpie
• Box cutters
• 2 wooden clothespins for each dancer
• Paintbrush
• Red, green, black & white acrylic paint

Instructions:

1. Chop off the bottom 1/2 inch of the first clothespin.
2. Cut 1 1/2 inches off of the bottom of the second clothespin – these will become the arms.
3. Take the arms and glue them to the first clothespin
4. Start painting!

Find the full the tutorial here!

2. Arabesque Stamp

The “arabesque” is a type of artistic decoration commonly found in Islamic art. It is a pattern of curving lines and is found all over the Arab world, including mosques, ceramic tile, and glassware. This tutorial will teach you how to make a stamp with Arabesque patterns on it.

Supplies:

• Arabesque tile printout
• Tracing tool
• Carving tools
• Carbon paper
• Masking tape
• Linoleum block
• Acrylic paint

Instructions:

1. Wrap the carbon paper around the linoleum block. Use the masking tape to secure in place.
2. Use the tracing tool to draw out the shapes and patterns.
3. Use the carving tools to carve away the patterns.
4. Fill with acrylic paint and use as a stamp!

Check out the full tutorial here!

3. Tealight Lanterns

Lanterns are found all over the Arab world, and are especially used for Ramadan and Eid. In this tutorial, learn how to make paper lanterns!

Supplies:

• Cardstock
• Ruler
• Glue
• Scissors
• Tealight

Instructions:

1. Fold the cardstock lengthwise.
2. Bend the open side about 1/2 inch upward.
3. Cut on the folded side of your paper toward the upward bend of the paper.
4. Open the cardstock fully and put some glue along the length of one end.
5. Glue the sides together so the lantern is round.
6. Place the lantern on the tea light.

Check out the full tutorial here!

4. Recycled Cardboard Oud

The oud is a traditional instrument that is related to the violin and guitar. But did you know that you can make an oud out of recycled cardboard?

Supplies:

• Large rubber bands
• Pencil
• Drill & bit (same size as the rubber bands)
• 2 small dowels
• 2 paper clips
• Hot glue gun
• Recycled cardboard
• Glass (or other small round object for center hole)
• Something to trace the oud from

Instructions:

1. Trace out the oud from cardboard
2. Use the glue gun to attach two of the larger pieces together
3. Use the hot glue gun to attach the two dowels
4. Use the drill to make four small holes for the rubber bands
5. Use the tip of the pencil to push the ends of the rubber bands into the holes. Use a paper clip to secure them to the back side.
6. Turn the oud over and glue the smaller pieces onto the back to give it a domed look.

Check out the full tutorial here!

5. Recycled Cup Darbuka

A darbuka is a drum that is especially common in Egypt, and also all around the Arab world. This is a tutorial to make a darbuka out of cups!

Supplies:

• Paper cups
• Sharpies
• Paintbrush
• Acrylic paint
• Masking tape
• Paper towel

Instructions;

1. Place the cups bottom to bottom and tape them together.
2. Cover the end of one cup with tape.
3. Tape all the way around both cups, leaving one end open.
4. Use the acrylic paint to paint the darbuka.
5. Use the sharpie to draw designs all over the darbuka.

Check out the full tutorial here!

6. Egyptian Mummy Charm

These are a super cute and easy craft for kids to make!

Supplies:

• White pipe cleaner
• Googly eyes
• Glue
• Large paper clip

Instructions:

1. Take the end of your pipe cleaner and hook it under the inside loop of the paper clip and fold it over.
2. Loop the pipe cleaner around the paperclip.
3. Add two googly eyes on with glue.

Check out the full tutorial here!

7. Fabric Wall Hanging

Fabric wall hangings and tapestries are commonly found in houses all over the Arab world. Here, check out an easy way to make a fabric wall hanging.

Supplies:

• Felt
• Glue
• Scissors
• Pencil

Instructions:

1. Print out what you want your wall hanging to look like.
2. Cut out pieces of felt.
3. Glue the felt onto your back piece of felt.

Check out the full tutorial here!

8. Arabic Calligraphy

Arabic calligraphy is one of the most important art forms of the Arab world. It is the artistic practice of handwriting and calligraphy based on the Arabic alphabet.

Supplies:

• Paper
• Pen

Instructions:

1. Pick a word or phrase to write.
2. Use calligraphic references for inspiration.

Check out a more in depth tutorial here!

9. Tatreez

Tatreez is a form of Palestinian embroidery that has been passed down through generations. Tatreez ranges from simple to more complex designs.

Supplies:

• Needle
• Embroidery thread
• Embroidery canvas fabric

Instructions:

1. Use videos and pictures to find patterns and designs to get you started!

10. Islamic Geometric Art

Similarly to the arabesque patterns, Islamic geometric art is found all over the Arab world. It is usually made up of combinations of squares and circles, often overlapping each other.

Supplies:

• Compass (for drawing circles)
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Paper

Instructions:

1. Create elaborate designs with the compass and ruler – look up videos and pictures for inspiration!
2. You can also fill in the designs with watercolor.

These are ten great crafts with inspiration from the Arab world that are super fun to make! Is there another craft you love doing? Let us know in the comments!

Check out Arab America’s blog here!