People of the 1970s seemed to have an infatuation with doing things themselves. Riding off of the post-war self-sufficiency movement of the 1950s and ’60s, crafting, building, and all things DIY experienced an uptick in popularity fifty years ago. And while some of these projects seem fun and useful even by today’s standards, other endeavors have us scratching our heads a bit. After all, we live in the age of instant Amazon deliveries and big box heaven. Folks in the 1970s had to be a bit more inventive and resourceful, which turned out disastrous or inspiring! We’ve gathered 21 examples of a time when someone took their domestic or hobby needs into their own hands while we ask ourselves, “Would we try that?”
#1: Macramé Wall Hangings
If you’ve been on Pinterest or even to Target in the past few years, you’ll have realized that macrame art has come back around again in full force! But shops in the 1970s weren’t necessarily selling this decor staple of the hippie/boho era. Many people had to learn this knotty craft themselves. And while some macrame creations were intricate and showcased a great degree of skill, others were, well, less so. Hanging macrame side table? Why not!