I love to create things out of recycle materials! And right now, I'm into newspapers. It's a great way for me to use those stacks of newspapers I throw out each week. Besides, it's cheap and oh so versatile! So I hope you don't get too bored with some of the tutorials I'll be doing using newspapers.
First off, I decided to make a tray/basket. I first saw something like this on Etsy. I enjoy looking at handcrafted items on Etsy for inspiration. Did you know that Amazon now offers handcrafted items, too? Anyway, the pictured item is called a newspaper potholder/basket - it can actually hold a flowerpot.
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| Etsy Source |
Mine didn't quite turn out like this one, which is kind of wonky - I guess if I had used shorter newspaper tubes, maybe. But anyway, here's how I put the one I made together.
Using:
- Newspaper pages
- White glue/tacky glue
- Skewer stick
- Cardboard, pick, pencil/pen
- Clamps
- Mod podge
- Paint - primer, acrylic, sealant
- Paint brush
The first thing to do is to make a lot of newspaper tubes - around 25 to be exact.
Here's a pictorial of how to:
1. Start with a full newspaper page - the weekend section actually opens to full pages.
2. Fold in half and
3. Cut into two pieces.
4. Take a skewer stick and place on the corner edge, at an angle, as pictured. I believe that's called an obtuse triangle where the angle is more than 90 degrees.
5. Take the end tip of the paper over the skewer and start rolling the paper with hands pressed down on table.
6. Continue rolling the paper on the stick until you get three fourths of the way. You might have to lift the paper up to tighten the roll by twirling the stick.
7. Add glue to the edges and roll until reaching the end.
8. The tube is done, about 22 inches long, and you need to make at least 24 more.
Next, get ready for a tutorial picture overload with directions!
Draw a half circle on a rectangular piece of cardboard.
Mark seven places on the half circle, as pictured. It's easier to place them at left, right, center, and then, two equally between.
Punch holes through the marks using a pick.
Enlarge holes with a pen.
Insert seven newspaper tubes midway into holes.
Add glue to end of another tube and secure to first inserted tube.
Clamp glued end of tube. Flatten tube with fingers to make the paper more pliable to weave.
Once secure, begin weaving over and under inserted tubes.
Continue weaving over and under until reaching last tube, wrapping around, weaving over and under back to the other side.
Add glue to end of new tube and insert to lengthen weaving tube and continue over and under.
Tighten tubes and adjust as you continue weaving toward the narrow ends.
Wrap around the ends with the paper tube and glue to secure. Clamp until dry.
Begin weaving the other side the same as before.
Straighten and tighten all of the tubes before finally securing together.
Carefully remove cardboard.
Coat tray with mod podge.
I used a hard surface coating to help make it firm and stiff.
Spray with white primer.
For a distressed look, I added brown and copper acrylic paint, wiping it off with a cloth and finally adding a matte finish sealant.
My tray/basket looks a bit wonky, too . . .
and is for decorative purposes only!
But I love how it ends up being quite functional and very ornamental!
And to know that it's made of newspaper!
How cool!
Take a little time to
enjoy
and
Happy Crafting!
