Hey there all you crafty 👩‍🎨👨‍🎨 DIY enthusiasts! Are you looking for some creative and unique ideas to make use of your scrap paper and cardboard? Look no further! Here are some easy-to-follow DIY crafts that you can try out using recycled paper and cardboard.

🧐 1. DIY Paper Mache Bowls

Have you ever seen a beautiful paper mache bowl? With just a few materials you can make this DIY craft which is both eco-friendly and fun to make. All you need is some old newspaper, cardboard, glue, paint and a small bowl as a mold. Rip up the newspaper into small strips and create a mixture of equal parts water and glue. Using the cardboard, make a base for your bowl mold. Dip the newspaper strips in the glue mixture and lay them over the cardboard base in layers. Wait for each layer to dry before adding the next one. Once you have enough layers to form a sturdy bowl shell, leave it to dry overnight. Once it’s dry, remove the bowl from the mold, paint it with your favourite colour and there you have it! A beautiful paper mache bowl that can hold anything you want!

Image of a colourful paper mache bowl filled with fruits

🤚 2. DIY Cardboard Picture Frames

With just some scrap cardboard and paint, you can create a cool picture frame that can make your photos stand out 😍. Cut out a rectangle in the shape of a frame from the cardboard and paint it any colour that matches your decor. You can decorate the edges with sequins, buttons, beads or even glitter. Once it’s dry, cut out the center of the cardboard so that it fits the size of your photo. Lastly, use glue to attach the photo to the backboard of the frame and you’re done! A unique picture frame that you made with recycled materials!

Image of a cardboard picture frame decorated with colourful buttons on a white background with a photo inside

📝 3. DIY Pen and Pencil Holder

A pen and pencil holder is a great DIY project for art-loving students and working folks. All you need is a cardboard box and a few toilet paper rolls or kitchen rolls. Cut off the tops of the rolls to make sure they’re even and paint them different colours or wrap them in some funky paper. Cut out the top of the cardboard box, slide the rolls in, and voila! You’ve created a useful and eco-friendly holder that you can keep on your desk, bookshelf or anywhere you want.

Image of a pen and pencil holder made with colourful toilet paper rolls in a cardboard box

📚 4. DIY Cardboard Bookshelf

Are you tired of stacking your books in piles on the floors? A cardboard bookshelf is a simple and intriguing DIY craft you can make in an afternoon. You’ll need some stiff cardboard boxes (like cereal or pizza boxes), a cutter or knife, ruler, and glue. Cut the cardboard boxes to the same height and the length you want. Score the box at the midpoint and fold them into L-shaped pieces. Using the glue, join the L-shaped pieces and make a stair-like structure. You can paint the shelves or cover them with some pretty paper to match your room decor. This creative DIY is a fun way to make use of your old cardboard boxes!

Image of a cardboard bookshelf with books, picture frames and plants

🌿 5. DIY Paper Planters

Love plants, but don’t have a planter? No problem! Try out this DIY Paper Planters that you can make at home! All you need is some scraps of cardboard, newspaper, glue and a plant. Cut the cardboard and newspaper into 6-inch squares and fold them diagonally to make triangle-shaped containers. Apply glue on one side of the cardboard and bring the other side over to join the edges, and let it dry. Now, fold the top of the triangle over to make a rim that will hold the potting soil. Fill the planter with soil, plant the seeds and leave them to grow in your handcrafted paper planters!

Image of different sized paper planters made with recycled paper filled with different plants

🌟 Conclusion

And there you have it! Some innovative DIY crafts using recycled paper and cardboard that you can make right now! These crafts are perfect for the environment, and it’s also a fantastic way to show your creativity and skill. These eco-friendly DIY projects are fun to make and, best of all, don’t cost much! So, be inspired, and let’s DIY our way towards an eco-friendly future🌍!

Image of a person holding a stack of cardboard and paper crafts with the blog title on the image