Despite the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, many of us still enjoy taking the time to make gifts for friends and family or decorations to display in our own homes.

When things get too crazy, an afternoon of crafting might be just what you need to unwind and de-stress.

Kathy Karanink is an art therapist on the behavioral health unit at the Lehighton campus of Blue Mountain Health System.

She also conducts a no-stress holiday crafting event each Christmas and said that in addition to saving money and adding meaning to the holiday, the act of working with your hands helps “focus the mind, eases stress and can increase happiness.”

The event, which was held earlier this month, is crafting to reduce stress, Karanink said, adding that it’s “fun, cute, simple and thrifty.”

She shared pictures of her own crafts.

“I do a lot of crafting,” said Karanink.

Mat Miles of Palmerton crafts intricate wooden ornaments.

“I began making these in 2016 when my grandfather passed away,” said Miles.

“I inherited many of his woodworking tools, and the scroll saw was his favorite.”

Miles said he worked from memories of his grandfather while he worked with his tools, and also watched YouTube videos on techniques and “just started cutting.”

“Last Christmas, I made a pile for family members to choose from, and this year, I passed a few more out at Thanksgiving,” he said.

“I try to choose things that resonate with each family member.”

“I make all kinds of crafts,” said Kealey Conville. “For many years, the gifts I gave you were handmade.”

Conville said she will be giving out handmade gifts again this year.

“My daughter uses pine cones and glitter and puts hooks in,” said Kim Faust.

“I have some since they are children.”

Christine Sanchez of Lehighton, owner of Custom Creations Crafts and Jewelry, began crafting years ago so she could give handmade gifts during the holidays.

It took on new meaning for her in 2011, when her aunt was diagnosed with cancer.

The family got together and started making bracelets to sell in order to offset the cost of her aunt’s surgery.

Her aunt passed away not long after, but before she died, she asked Sanchez to continue making and selling the bracelets to help others who suffer from cancer, which she’s done.

Sanchez’s joy in crafting is twofold.

On one hand, she’s helping fund cancer research, and on the other, she’s giving a part of herself.

“When I give one of my handcrafted gifts, it gives me the feeling of fulfillment,” said Sanchez.

“It’s a gift that is customized to each special person.”

Make a wine cork Christmas tree ornament

Although Christmas is only two weeks away, there’s still time to do a little crafting

Christine Sanchez walked us through some easy steps to make an ornament for your tree or to give away.

Supplies

Acrylic paint in a color of your choice

Glitter in a color of your choice

Six wine corks (try to find corks that are the same length)

Screw-in eye hook

Twine or ribbon

Strip of fabric or 3/4-inch wide ribbon, about 15-16 inches long

Glue gun and glue sticks

X-ACTO knife

Paper plates

Scissors

Instructions

1. Using the X-ACTO knife, cut one of the corks in half for the trunk. If uneven, trim to make sure the cut end is flat. Set aside.

2. Squirt about a tablespoon of paint onto a paper plate, and dip one end of the cork into the paint. Dab off excess. Set aside. (Note: If one end of your cork is red from the wine, paint the opposite end so the color will remain consistent.) Continue until you have painted one end of all five corks.

3. While the paint is still wet, hold cork over another paper plate and pour glitter over the painted end. Repeat with all five corks. Set aside. Allow to dry thoroughly, at least two hours.

4. To assemble, run a bead of hot glue lengthwise along one wine cork and adhere to a second cork. Repeat until you have a base three corks wide.

5. Next glue two corks together, lengthwise; then glue the two corks to the three-cork base, centering them in place. Add the last cork to the top. You should have a pyramid shape.

6. If using fabric, snip about an inch into the fabric one-inch wide and tear off a 15- or 16-inch strip. Lay the fabric, or ribbon, out flat and center the cork pyramid on the fabric or ribbon. Tie this around the corks tightly, knotting it at the top. Trim excess as needed. Leave about an inch or two.

7. Screw an eye hook into the top cork, just behind the ribbon.

8. Cut a piece of twine or ribbon about 7 inches long. Thread it through the eye hook and knot it at the top to form a loop for the hanger.

9. Using the hot glue gun, glue the truck to the middle of the bottom row of corks. Hold in place for about five seconds until secured.