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August is nearly over, but temperatures are still reaching the 90s, which isn’t ideal for those craving some relief from the sweltering summer heat. This first project not only takes reference from Fiesta Court members, who carry very dainty and elegant fans, but also from those looking for a craft to beat the heat.

A paper plate fan is an easy and customizable way to do both. You can create many different types of fans in little time, as the construction of the fan is simple. It’s also well suited for a younger audience: It isn’t very time consuming and is simple to put together. To do this craft, all you have to do is decorate your fan, then add the stick for a handle.

Painted pumpkins

Supplies: Pumpkins, acrylic paints and a paintbrush.

Though carving pumpkins is fun, spooky and great for some decoration inside or outside the house, the messy process is not for everyone. This makes painted pumpkins a great alternative. Though trick-or-treaters may not see the decorations at night, it’s still a great way to show Halloween and fall spirit. It’s easier to clean up, and your pumpkin lasts longer.

Garlands

Supplies: Preferred material like paper, yarn, fabric or leaves; scissors, string, markers, tape.

Garlands simple and makes the space feel just a bit more cozy. Even if you are new to crafts, garlands are simple to make whether you use paper, yarn, fabric or leaves.

Just make a shape and place a hole in the shape for the thread. For classrooms, or beginner crafters, paper garlands may be easiest and require only simple supplies. This is a simple project that could be done in a group.

Tissue paper ghosts

Supplies: Tissues or tissue paper, pen, string or tape.

Though this is a bit unconventional, you can use items you might already have at home such as tissue or tissue paper.

Tissue ghosts can be used as another Halloween decoration for your home or even added to garlands.

To make these friendly spirts, all you need to do is crumble one of your tissues in the shape of a ball and wrap it with another tissue to create a ghost shape. You can use tape or string to keep the shape secure.

Bracelets

Supplies: Stretch cording, beads, scissors.

Though most crafts could be community projects, this craft has a reputation for being done in celebration of friendship.

Bracelet making not only leaves you with a beautiful end product you can wear or gift to a loved one, it can also be a way to help destress, or a helpful activity for people in class or at work who need to keep their hands stimulated.

You can use supplies of your choice to make bracelets, including different kinds of cord and beads.

Zozobra mask

Supplies: Paper plate, colored paper, string, hole-puncher, scissors, markers, adhesive.

Fall in New Mexico is a time for fiesta celebrations. In ·è¿ÍÖ±²¥ Fe, that includes the 100th anniversary of Zozobra.

In honor of the esteemed guest of honor, Old Man Gloom, the next craft is a paper plate Zozobra mask. Create a one-of-a-kind mask every time you make one, just like the looks of Zozobra each year. First, cut off the rim of the paper plate, then trace out square holes for eyes in the middle of the plate and cut.

You can draw on features, like the nose and lips. Punch holes on either side of the mask and tie some string to help keep it secure around the head. Using the plate rim, cut triangle shapes to make the ears.

Clay Gloomies

Supplies: Air dry clay.

Another Zozobra-themed craft is clay “Gloomies,� modeled after the ghost-like Gloomies who perform during the Burning of Zozobra each year. You can get air-dry clay from craft stores like Michael’s or some Model Magic clay from Dollar Tree.

This project is simple and can be done while relaxing and watching the livestream of Zozobra.

Ribbon flowers

Supplies: Hot glue gun, wide ribbon, paint, sticks such as chopsticks, credit or gift card, scissors.

Though live flowers don’t live year-round, these will. Ribbon flowers hold a personality that is as unique as you. To make these eternal flowers, wrap a ribbon of your choice around the length of your card four times and cut the top and bottom of the ribbon around the card, to create smaller ribbon sections of equal length.

Then fold each ribbon section into a pentagon shape using hot glue by folding the left and right sides of the ribbon. Once you have at least 10 of these folded ribbons, you can layer them together into a chain using hot glue.

Then you can roll the ribbon chain, again using hot glue, around the stick (or stem) to create a rose shape. It helps to see this process visually — there are tutorials available online for inspiration.

Pressed flowers or leaves

Supplies: Picture frame, leaves or flowers.

If you would rather show off flowers you grew or admired during the spring and summer, or leaves you collected in the fall, you can always press them or make a collage. This project is a lovely way to spend some time outside admiring the New Mexican scenery.

To do this project with flowers or leaves, grab paper towels and heavy books. Simply sandwich the foliage of your choice between two sheets of paper towel. Use books to press the flowers down overnight.

Once ready, get your frame — a great place to get frames from is the dollar store — and open the back. Arrange your foliage however you would like in the frame and close the back.

Pressed flower bookmark

Supplies: Flowers, clear packing tape.

Another thing that you can use pressed flowers for is bookmarks. Simply measure two equal pieces of packing tape, stick your flowers onto one piece and then press the pieces together to make a bookmark. You can mark your spot in your favorite fall reads.