The sun is showing no signs of stopping, with warm weather expected to continue for the rest of the week and beyond. So now is the perfect time to prepare and make sure you stay comfortable this summer.
A fan is a warm-weather essential. However, with everyone rushing to buy one during a hot spell, it’s easy to end up with the same design as everyone else. That’s where this fun craft project comes in, helping you beat the heat without compromising on your personal style.
A hand-painted folding fan is the must-try craft activity this summer. It’s exactly as it sounds: you take a plain paper or fabric folding fan — also known as a hand fan or collapsible fan — and decorate it with your own one-of-a-kind design. That way, every time you swat away the warm air, you’ll be able to admire your beautiful artwork.
There are so many different designs you can experiment with. You might opt for a beautiful floral pattern or embrace the fruit trend with cherries or lemons. If you’d prefer something more personal, you could add your name or initials so there’s no mistaking your fan for anyone else’s.
Requiring very little in the way of materials or tools, this is a wonderfully beginner-friendly project. Better still, you can make the design as simple or as intricate as you like, making it suitable for crafters of all skill levels.
One of the best things about this project is that it’s not only incredibly stylish but also wonderfully practical. You’ll have a handmade accessory you’ll genuinely want to take with you every time you leave the house this summer.
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite hand-painted folding fan creations from Instagram and TikTok to inspire you to pick up a paintbrush and create your own before the next heatwave arrives.
Happy painting!
Beautiful blossom
With folding fans playing an important role in Japanese culture, you might wish to honour their heritage by painting delicate blossom branches, like this beautiful design by @i..adore..youu on TikTok.
The way the branches stretch gracefully across the fan is so simple, yet incredibly elegant. Better still, you can leave much of the background untouched, meaning this design requires very little paint.
Wonderful wisteria
Florals are a summer staple, so if you’re not wearing them, why not paint them onto your fan instead? This stunning wisteria design by @divknvrr on TikTok is a beautiful example.
The soft lilac blooms create such an elegant and seasonal finish.
Lovely lavender
If you love shades of purple but fancy painting something you might actually find growing in your own garden, why not try a lavender-inspired design like this one by @crazydaisyarts on Instagram?
The addition of the little bees gives the fan such a charming and playful touch.
Zingy and zesty
Lemon yellow has been one of the standout colours of 2026, so why not put your own spin on the trend with a lemon-print fan?
This zesty design by @fierahandmade on TikTok is wonderfully fun and full of personality.
Instead of paint, the creator has used marker pens, proving there’s more than one way to customise your fan if you don’t already have paints to hand.
Cool and customisable
A simple way to make sure you never lose your fan is to personalise it. Try painting your name in beautiful italic lettering, like @melissabartondiy has done on TikTok.
This is especially useful if you’re making several fans for friends or family to enjoy at a summer party or special event.
It would also make a lovely personalised gift for bridesmaids at a summer wedding.
