Cool-Weather Crafting & Hosting: Transform Your Home with Country Charm
DIY Fall Décor Made Easy
As autumn leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, there’s something special about creating a warm, inviting atmosphere at home. At Esh Hardware, we believe the best decorations and treats come from your own creative hands—and we’ve got some essential items to make it happen.
With an interesting combination of quality hardware supplies, decorative items and tools, plus local specialty items, we have what you need for a great fall crafting experience.
TIP: What sets Esh Hardware apart is our careful selection process. We don’t carry dozens of options for every item—instead, we choose the best products that will truly do the job well. We focus on dependable, USA-made products, including Amish-crafted and local products. As a customer puts it, “They look and find the best stuff. If they’re carrying it, it’s going to be good. It’s gonna do the job.”
Simple Items, Beautiful Results
Some of the most beautiful decorations come from repurposing everyday hardware items with a little creativity and country flair.
Glass Canning Jars are perfect starting points for countless projects. Esh Hardware carries Superb canning jars, made in Ohio and known for their thermal shock resistance—good to know if you plan to use them for hot fill canning.
Fill canning jars with autumn flowers, create luminous candle holders, or transform them with spray paint.
Esh carries a broad selection of spray paint, from decorative to everyday hues, that’s available for interior and exterior surfaces. As Ray Esh of Esh Hardware notes, “People paint their jars, or they want to make them glittery or frosty.” The possibilities are endless, and they instantly bring that classic farmhouse look to any space.
Tip: Start with clean, dry jars for the best paint adhesion. Remember, light coats of spray paint work better than one heavy application.
Galvanized Water Tubs make striking centerpieces or planters for your fall displays. These sturdy, authentic pieces add instant rustic character whether you’re arranging pumpkins, corn stalks, or seasonal flowers.
Hosting a fall party? Add a food-safe liner to your water tub, then add ice and a bit of water to keep beverages cold.
Jute Twine is the perfect finishing touch for any country-style project. This natural brown twine wraps beautifully around jars, ties bundles of dried corn or wheat, and adds that authentic handmade feel to your creations. Keep leftover for wrapping Christmas and holiday gifts.
Great Crafting Gear
Creating fall decorations often requires more than just the decorative elements—you need the right tools and supplies. At Esh Hardware, we stock everything crafters need.
Here’s a list of basics you’ll find:
– Hammers, levels, and measuring tapes for precise installation
– Screws, hooks, and eyes for hanging displays
– Wire and rope for securing and creating framework
– Brad nailers and various nails—including unique, old-style cut nails that some crafters love for making rustic hangers and accent pieces
– Spray paint in multiple colors for transforming ordinary items into seasonal treasures
Tip: These old-style, square-cut nails are great for crafts, and add a charming vintage look. “It’s a masonry-cut nail, made from concrete, that looks like a horseshoe nail,” Esh describes.
String Art and School Projects
Many nearby schools choose Esh Hardware for the tools to create crafts and art projects. The store carries small nails perfect for string art projects, hammers sized right for young hands, and hot glue guns with glue sticks.
“A lot of our local schools come here for projects,” Ray explains, noting how string art is a popular craft for which they stock supplies. “They get glue and hot-glue guns, glue sticks, and small nails.” Students use a special paper to affix their nails in a pattern, such as an animal, then use black string to connect the nails and form the design.
Tip: For string art beginners, start with simple shapes like leaves or pumpkins. Use a paper template to mark where your nails should go before hammering them in.
Perfect Pairings: Fall Treats for Your Gatherings
No fall crafting session or seasonal gathering is complete without the right refreshments. While you’re picking up craft supplies, don’t miss some of Esh Hardware’s unique edible treats that you won’t find everywhere:
PA Dutch Coffee brings the taste of autumn warmth to your home. This locally roasted coffee comes from an Amish roaster in Lancaster, Pennsylvania who creates his own special blends. He sources beans from around the world and focuses on small batch roasting. Ray describes it as “a local roasted coffee that is very good and very smooth.”
Tip: This smooth coffee blend pairs perfectly with fall baking projects—try it while you’re working on your crafts, or serve with a favorite seasonal baked goods, such as pumpkin bread, apple crisp or apple cider donuts.
Breezy Valley Farm located in Gordonville, PA produces milk stocked at Esh Hardware. This small Amish farm produces exceptional milk, made from Jersey cows that’s incredibly popular with customers. Milk sourced from Jersey cows is enjoyed for its rich, creamy flavor, along with its elevated butterfat content and nutritional value.
For unique treats, try Scripture Candy—cream saver-style candies with Bible verses on each wrapper, perfect for sharing during fall gatherings or giving as gifts. Ginger Chews, made by Prince of Peace, offer a warming spice that’s ideal for autumn, while Fisherman’s Friend throat lozenges provide comfort during the cooler weather.
Whether you love to hand-fashion unique decor for your home, or gather friends and family around, fall is nature’s invitation to slow down and savor life’s simple pleasures. There’s something special about this season that calls us to create with our hands, gather cherished ones close, and fill our homes with sunny warmth. Embrace this time.
