Do you have some extra un-used coffee filters lying around that you don’t know what to do with? Instead of tossing them, you could turn them into a creative craft.  We all know about the coffee filter snowflake project, but there are actually many more projects out there that turn coffee filters into fun crafts.

Are you helping plan a bridal or baby shower and need an idea for a place setting?  Why not make a potpourri place setting out of a coffee filter? Simply place a coffee filter on a hard surface and fill it with the potpourri of your choice, then tie it up with ribbon and you have your very own coffee filter potpourri bag.  You can also decorate the bag with themed stickers or glitter glue.

For a more kid-friendly craft, help your child create his or her own masterpiece by tie-dying a coffee filter with food coloring.   All you need are white coffee filters, food coloring, water, a medicine dropper or small paint brush and something to hold the water in.  To help your child make their own tie-dye masterpiece, mix the food coloring with water and have the child drop the colored water onto the filter and watch the color spread.  Thanks to AmazingMoms for this idea!

Do you know someone who has a special dance coming up and they are in need of a corsage? Instead of paying $20 for a corsage that only lasts one night, create them this unique and beautiful Fancy Coffee Filter Corsage that can last years.

All you need are:

• 3 Coffee filters
• 1 Pipe Cleaner
• Acrylic or Watercolor Paint
• Paint brush
• Scissors
• Ribbon
• Hot Glue Gun
• Optional Embellishments: doilies, felt balls, broken jewelry, decorative paper

To create, simply follow these steps:

1. Start with 3 coffee filters.
2. Flatten them out with your hand.
3. Fold the filters like a fan. One fold towards you, one away, until you reach the end.
4. Once you have your folds all done, cinch the center with a pipe cleaner.
5. Then gently, open up each “petal” one by one.
6. The next step involves paint. Choose any color or colors of acrylic or watercolor paint, that you want the edges to be.
7. Water the paint down as much as you can, while still retaining the color.
8. Then slowly drag your brush along the edges, and watch the watery paint bleed onto the filter petals. This is my favorite part…
9. Next, cut off the ends of your pipe cleaner, so that you can hot glue a ribbon on to the back, to serve as your wrist tie.
10. The next part involves any creativity and imagination you want to incorporate into your corsage. Use papers, doilies, ribbons, felt balls, bits of broken jewelry or anything you wish, to embellish your corsage… I used wrapping paper for leaves and I hot glued doily edges here and there for extra frill. I used hot glue for this entire project. Make sure not to let children use a hot glue gun without adult supervision

YouTubers also know a thing or two about making crafts out of coffee filters.  This video by Craftymamaof4 shows us how to make coffee filter butterflies and flowers:

So whether you want to create cute and fragrant party favors, have some tie-dye fun with your child, or turn a coffee filter into a butterfly, you can with these fun craft ideas that turn a simple coffee filter into a work of art.