Do you have a free afternoon? Try out these 10 unique projects using paper
Paper is a very versatile material for creative work and can be used in an infinite number of ways to create wonderful and original DIY decorations for the home. Simple to use, even for kids, paper is a low-cost raw material which is readily available and it doesn't matter if you're not skilled in creative work; you can still easily create wonderful projects by using colored sheets of paper or cardboard, scissors, a ruler and glue.
From origami shapes to lanterns, wall collages to 3D decorative objects, DIY greeting cards to papier-mâché sculptures - there's plenty of things to make using paper.
We list below 10 unique projects that you can make with paper in just one afternoon.
1. Honeycomb paper balls
Get some colored paper sheets and cut out multiple circles of equal size; fold them several times, glue together, and secure them by adding a piece of string. Your colorful paper ball will be ready in no time to decorate your home.
2. Palm leaves
@Anastasia Onishchenko/YouTube
To make some wonderful palm leaves with an exotic touch, you'll only need kraft paper, twine, wooden sticks, and hot glue, in addition to scissors, a pencil, and a ruler, of course. After cutting the paper to the desired size, fold it using the ruler as a guide, securing it with glue at the base on the wooden stick. The paper palm leaves will look great in a vase with other floral items.
3. Chinese paper lanterns
If you love lanterns, make them with paper. There are many models to choose from, and amongst these, Chinese lanterns are very popular, highly decorative, and extremely easy to make. Get some colored cardstock, fold it in half lengthwise, draw a line 1.5 centimeters from the outer edge, and mark horizontal lines 1 or 2 centimeters apart, from the fold to the line next to the edge. Cut and roll into a cylinder, leaving the folds on the outside. Then add the handle and your lantern is ready.
4. 3D Paper Cactus
Do you love plants but don't have a green thumb? No worries, you can make adorable 3D paper cacti. You can download pre-made templates or trace your own, cut them out, and glue them together to create truly delightful plants. Add colorful flowers as desired, and your paper cacti will be ready to decorate your home.
5. Realistic paper roses
The Japanese art of origami allows you to create true works of art by simply folding sheets of paper multiple times. How about, for example, making some delightful realistic paper roses? You can add fragrance to them with essential oil and place them in a vase. They will be a worthy and wonderfully scented substitute for the real thing.
6. Glitter paper Christmas wreaths
Using glitter paper, create small Christmas wreaths to decorate your tree, or cluster them together to make cascading decorations for ceilings, doors, and windows. Prepare squares of glitter paper, fold them in half, and cut horizontally starting from the fold. Create a cylinder and close it to form a circle. Add bows and glitter paper balls in a contrasting color as desired.
7. Snowflakes
Using origami or with scraps of paper, you can create pretty snowflakes which will have very unique and decorative shapes. You can find many projects like this online and you can fill your home with beautiful snowflakes.
8. Floral wall decorations
Whether they are framed cardboard pictures or more complex hanging decorations, paper is the perfect raw material for creating vibrant floral decorations for your walls. Let your imagination guide you as you cut and fold the paper into different 2 or 3-dimensional shapes.
9. Chain-link rainbow
Perfect for hanging on the wall or in the window, a cute little cloud with a chain-link rainbow will be perfect in the kids' rooms. And it's easy to make using colored cardstock, transparent double-sided tape, and cotton wool balls.
10. Greeting cards and wrapping paper
Whatever the occasion you're celebrating, it will certainly be more special if accompanied by a beautifully wrapped gift or a handmade greeting card. Simply get some colored paper sheets or cardstock and let your creativity inspire you to create lovely wrappings for your gifts and charming pop-up greeting cards.
Have you already chosen which project to start this afternoon?