Make Your Next Pinterest Project A Success

When it comes to Pinterest there are many pins and projects to choose from. How do you choose a DIY project or craft from Pinterest that will be a successful project when it’s completed? Here are ten things to consider:

1. How does it look in the original picture?
If someone has previously made a project, and their project doesn’t look good in the finished photo, chances are you’ll have similar results.

2. Does the pin lead to a direct source?
Look for pins with direct links and correct sources. Sometimes pins aren’t pinned correctly from their original source. If a pin leads to Google images or has a broken link, you won’t be able to find the detailed tutorial with the important directions, materials list, or measurements, as well as tips and tricks relating to the project.

3. Does the pin have enough detailed directions?
I often avoid doing projects that have the shortened version of the directions in the pin’s description and doesn’t have detailed directions when you click through. This is especially true for recipes. Some pins have been pinned and repined hundreds or even thousands of times. If the recipe is included in the pin’s description, there’s no way of knowing if that recipe has been changed or how accurate it is.

4. How complicated is the project?
Keep it simple! Most often, I choose easy to do projects. If a recipe has a long list of ingredients and more than five steps, I don’t do it.

5. How much will you have to spend on materials and supplies?
Look for projects that don’t need a big investment in money and materials. I’ve made things that weren’t successful. Burned crock pot dinners and failed crafts have gone in the trash. I don’t spend a lot of money for materials so I don’t feel too bad when things don’t work out as planned. Also, look for projects that you already have some or most of the materials on hand. I’m not likely to do a project if I have to go to the store to buy a long list of supplies.

6. Don’t follow trends.
Make what you want and what you are interested in.  Projects with burlap, chevron stripes, and glitter have all been popular trends on Pinterest and I haven’t made a single project with any of them.  I make what appeals to me and my interests, not necessarily what everyone else is making and pinning.

7. Is it permanent?
Do a test first. Pinterest has many make-it-yourself cleaning recipes and unconventional ways to clean items. Do a test first to see if your new cleaning recipe or method works the way it’s supposed to. For projects that involve staining or painting an item, do a test first to see how it works. Test in a small area or on a scrap piece of the material you’re working with. If it doesn’t work out, you haven’t ruined the whole thing.

8. How long does the project take?
I'm not good about following through and finishing long projects.  With the exception of only a few projects, almost all of the pins I’ve chosen to do from Pinterest have been completed quickly in a day or less.

9. Know your skills, strengths, and weaknesses.
I can't sew.  It's a simple as that.  I know that if I tried a sewing project, even a simple one for beginners, I probably wouldn't be happy with the results.  Choose projects that play to your strengths.

10. Do your research.
Sometimes there is more than one pin for a project. Pin different variations of the same project and read the directions for each one. This can provide more information and a better understanding of how to successfully complete a particular project. Sometimes you can even combine ideas for a project from more than one pin.

Most of all, be flexible and try not to be a perfectionist.  If something doesn’t work, it’s ok to change it.  If your project doesn’t look exactly like the picture, it’s ok - that’s your personality shining through!  If a project doesn’t go according to plan, think about what went wrong and learn from it. You just might be able to use what you’ve learned in your next project.