As you do your spring cleaning, give new life to papers that are in your recycling bin by turning them into unique storage totes and plant holders. Follow these steps to create chic, upcycled organization for your desktop or coffee table!

Laquered Bag

What You’ll Need:

• Heat Tool
• PVA Glue
• Glue Brush
• Embossing Powder
• Super Tacky Tape
• Scissors
• Bone Folder
• Paper from the recycling bin: old shopping bags, calendars, wrapping paper, etc. – the more durable, the better! (trim to desired size: the width should be roughly twice the height – the silver bag is 9 ½” x 20”)

Steps:

• Coat the paper with PVA glue.
• Cover the glued surface evenly with embossing powder.
• Melt the powder with the heat tool.
• Fold the two short ends of the paper to meet in the middle (embossed side out), with edges overlapping about ½”. Adhere the two edges together with ½” Super Tacky Tape.
• Fold and crease the bottom 3″ upwards (this doesn’t have to be exact.)
• Open the bottom section and flatten the left corner into a triangle.
• Repeat on the right corner. The creases in your triangle flaps should line up with the crease at the base of your bag.
• Fold the top flap down to the center crease.
• Fold the bottom flap up, to meet the top flap.
• Cut a strip of embossed paper and cover the backside with Super Tacky Tape. Peel off the red backing and adhere the strip to the seam between the two flaps, patching them together.
• Bring the top fold down to meet the bottom fold.
• Starting at the bottom corners, fold in the sides of the bag to create 90 degree angles.
• Open the bag and flatten the bottom.
• Gently roll down the top of the bag. You can roll it inwards for a clean look or outwards to create a cuff.

Upcycled Can

What You’ll Need:

• Heat Tool
• PVA Glue
• Glue Brush
• Embossing Powder
• 1/4″ Super Tacky Tape
• Scallop Circle Punch
• 1/4″ Ribbonh
• Scissors
• Paper from the recycling bin: old shopping bags, calendars, wrapping paper, etc.
• A Can.

Steps:

• Coat the paper with PVA glue.
• Cover the glued surface evenly with embossing powder.
• Melt the powder with the heat tool.
• Punch scallop circle shapes our of the paper with the scallop punch.
• Cut the scallops in half.
• Adhere the scallops to the can with super tacky tape, staggering each row.
• Finish off the top edge with a band of 1/4″ satin ribbon. (Our adhesive of choice for this is the Xyron 150. 1/4″ Super Tacky Tape is also an option.)

Click here to download step-by-step instructions!

Rebecca is our in-house crafting expert who has been dreaming up fun crafts at Paper Source for the past 5 years! As Director of Workshops, she is constantly reimagining DIY elements into new ideas and classes just for you. Check out our latest workshops for more DIY opportunities!

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