:D
April 16, 2026 at 3:44:23 AM
hi songrepeater!! we're not mutuals so it feels weird to talk But i rlly love your work and I just had a thought now that I'm inspired to make cool frilly merch too, but I'm not sure where to start.... what does your process look like? the materials, the making, the costs......
D 
Replied on: April 16, 2026 at 7:15:49 PM
omg this is the sweetest message I've ever received!
im so happy i could inspire you!! we should be moots! (i usually only use twt tho). but to answer your question...it depends. I'll outline the prices and where i started!
usually I start by being inspired by things i hear my friends talk about or see online. I browse xhs (rednote) and keep a sketchbook for basic ideas. There's so many crafts to try and so little time.
From cheapest to most expensive these are the crafts I've dabbled on:
Coding: coding a website is a fun easy way to make something cute! You can make your own radiohead space! I never worked with HTML and CSS before I started this page last year but there's great tutorials online. And you really just learn doing it. I'm currently learning more JS for a coding idea I have.
DIY photocards/Deco journaling: This one is simple if you have a printer. Just find images, print, then you can decorate your photocards using stickers. I usually put mine in protected sleeves before decorating. And for journaling it's about the same, Print out pages, cut them into the size you want and decorate using whatever you have on head. stamps, pictures, washi tape, etc.
Shrinky Dink Keychains: These are so easy to make. You can buy materials on amazon for $10 bucks or use what u have at home, use some acrylic markers to draw out a design. (I've heard colored pencils work too, but I haven't tried) Then pop them in an oven then bam, an easy cute craft. I need to update my site to include my examples.
Fake Kpop albums and Fans: These are fun because it's nice to design and think what would be included in a radiohead kpop album lol. I usually make a mockup online then begin crafting everything out of cardstock and paper. Not a very expensive craft overall, but time consuming. You can burn CDs or use existing ones and merch you might already have to add to your fake album. Repurpose old albums or boxes as well. Making a Kpop waving fan is another easy craft. You only need cardboard and paper and anything to decorate it with!
Perler Beads: I find this craft tedious but it has a cheap entry level cost. Most kits cost around $20 bucks and come with everything you need. The chiikawa accessories I made for my friend's ita bags were made out of perler beads. You just need beads, a board, parchment paper, tape, and an iron. (make sure to not iron on the board or else you will bend it)
Clay crafts: i usually use a cheap air dry clay, i only recently bought polymer to work with, so I can't speak on it yet. Airdry clay is brittle and difficult to work with but is around $11 bucks for 5lbs (the crayola one) and then you can use acrylic paint and a clay varnish over any finished creations. (another $11 bucks). I try to think of what I can reasonably make in each medium. so usually bulky things in air dry clay as i know they won't break easily. Using water on a sponge is a good trick for making things easier to work with, and making sure everything is flat and even.
Ita bags: the first ever craft i made was an ita bag! These are usually built up from collecting. u can easily make bows and rosettes from ribbon, colleges out of paper, add existing merch, sew ruffles and badges to make a bag your own. Bags themselves usually cost 20-35 bucks and from there thing can be built slowly! I use a button maker ($35) to make buttons and sew my badge holders with supplies I have bought slowly from each check.
Resin prints and Rugs: I've only made a few miniatures out of resin prints and rugs, both were expensive crafts to start in. Resin prints require a printer, 3D software, and a curing machine. Rugs require a stand, tufting gun, and yarn. Both of these were around 300-400 bucks to start. I haven't made much of these but really should
Overall, I try to have fun with whatever I make. There's a great sense of fulfillment when finishing a cute craft. I'm always happy to share and talk more!