Paper crafts are a fantastic way to get creative, and you don’t need any special equipment or materials to create them. The following 10 projects are perfect for anyone looking to get started with papercrafts at home.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| When it comes to paper crafts, the possibilities are endless. |
| Paper mache is a versatile and affordable craft that can be used to make a wide range of projects, from bowls to animal sculptures. |
| Origami is an elegant and intricate paper-folding art that can be enjoyed by beginners and experts alike. |
| Scrapbooking is a great way to showcase your memories and express your creativity. |
| By staying up-to-date on scrapbooking trends and exploring new techniques, you can keep your crafting fresh and exciting. |
| There are many online resources available for learning about paper crafting, including tutorials, workshops, and crafting communities. |
Miniature Paper Lanterns
What you need:
Cardstock or paper (I used cardstock)
Scissors or a craft knife
Pencil and ruler/straight edge, optional but helpful (I used a pencil)
A hole punch or other tool to make holes in the center of the circle you are creating (I used a small hole puncher, like this one.) How to make them: The process is pretty simple: cut out two circles of your desired size on the fold of some cardstock or paper, then join them together along their edges with glue.
You can also use tape if you don’t have any glue handy! Once they’re all glued up really well, start cutting away at your lantern–it’s okay if it looks kinda wonky right now because once we’re all done with this project it won’t matter at all!
Now for those cute little details… spread some glitter around on top of each lantern so that when it catches light from inside our mini lights will sparkle just like real ones do.
If you don’t have glitter lying around somewhere use sequins instead; wait until after drying time though before sprinkling them onto each lantern because otherwise they’ll get stuck together and won’t fall properly once applied onto each one.”
Looking for some inspiration for your next paper craft project? Our guide on Paper Crafts on a Budget offers tons of creative and affordable ideas to get you started.
Envelope Liner
Envelope liners are a great way to add a touch of personalization and make your envelopes look more professional.
If you’re going to be sending out invitations, announcements or thank-you notes, they make an excellent addition to the package.
The materials you’ll need for this project will vary by the size and shape of your envelope liner. For example, if making one that’s square or rectangular with straight sides, you can use cardstock (heavyweight paper) cut down into squares or rectangles using a paper cutter or ruler and pencil; then glue along both long edges for strength.
However, if making one that’s shaped like an oval or circle (like a pie slice), you’ll need thinner paper like tissue paper which is best cut using scissors from strips of folded tissue paper rather than cutting it with a ruler/pencil method so it doesn’t get squished.
Once cut out, iron on each end opposite where they were glued together so they stay connected while being folded up inside the envelope during shipping! This step will also help give them some extra stiffness so they don’t fall apart when opening up at home.”
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Lining Paper | Thin paper that complements your envelope color and style |
| Envelope Template | A printable template used to trace the liner onto the paper |
| Scissors or Craft Knife | Used to cut the liner to size |
| Glue Stick | Used to attach the liner to the envelope |
| Bone Folder | Used to crease the liner for a seamless fit |
Adding a liner to your envelope is a simple way to elevate your correspondence game. To create your own envelope liner, you’ll need just a few basic supplies including lining paper, an envelope template, scissors or craft knife, glue stick, and a bone folder.
These supplies allow you to create a professional look that is personalized to your taste and style.
Pop-Up Cards
Pop-up cards are a wonderful way to share your feelings with someone special. First, you’ll need to decide on the size of card you want; this will determine the size of paper you use.
Next, you should choose a shape for your pop-up card—circle, squares or triangles work well here.
Then decide upon the theme of your pop-up card (Christmas? Birthday?) and use an appropriate type of paper for it that matches both the theme and colors chosen in advance by yourself or another person who will play an active role in creating this craft project with no knowledge about how it works beyond knowing that they should be able to tear off pieces without any issues arising later on down road when opening up their gift!
Finally write something personal on top part where the recipient can see right away after opening gift box: “Happy birthday!” Or whatever else comes into mind at the moment, opening package but only write small amount so other things cannot be seen clearly underneath the letters written above 🙂
Get ready to unleash your creativity with our collection of Amazing Paper Mache Projects. From bowls to vases to animal sculptures, these projects are sure to impress!
Watercolour Effect Backdrop
To make this watercolour effect backdrop, you’ll need a sponge and a paintbrush. If you have a sponge brush, that will work as well.
Finally, if you don’t have either of those tools but still want to try out this project, just use any other absorbent material like paper towels or cotton balls.
To start off with this project, take some masking tape and cover up the areas where you want your white space to be when it dries (we suggest taping off about 2 feet from each side for all sides except for the top).
Then mix together 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of salt in another bowl or container before dipping your sponge into it until it is wet enough but not dripping or falling apart at the seams. You can also use plain old water instead of mixing some salt into it if you prefer!
Then just dab away at your masking tape while holding onto each end tightly so they don’t move around too much while adding color as needed over top using different sized dots depending on how large or small an area needs covering up!
Table Settings
You can also make a paper table setting. These are pretty simple and easy to create, too. You can use paper napkins, plates and even cups for your guests to eat their food with!
You can use a paper tablecloth as well as some other decorations on top of it, like candles or flowers. There’s no limit to what you can do with this kind of craft!
Always wanted to learn origami? Our Beginner’s Guide to Origami provides step-by-step instructions and helpful tips for getting started with this elegant paper-folding art.
Paper Flowers
Making paper flowers is a great way to add some flair to your home. You can also make them on the cheap, so they’re perfect if you’ve got limited funds but still want to add some fun decor.
First, find the right kind of paper for your project. When making flowers, there are two main options: regular printer paper (the thin stuff) or cardstock (the thicker, more sturdy stuff). Since these types both come in different colors and patterns, it’s easy to mix and match if you want something more colorful or themed around an event like springtime or Valentine’s Day.
Next up: choosing what kind of flower you’d like to create! Are you in the mood for something simple? Try rolling up a few sheets into cylinders and putting them together at an angle like this gorgeous bouquet from A Beautiful Mess’ blog post on How To Make Paper Flowers From Scratch (And Things I’ve Learned Along The Way).
If not, maybe try cutting out petals with any leftover scraps instead—these would work great as small accents on larger arrangements too! Once you’ve got all your materials ready-to-go we’ll move onto how exactly they’re made…
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Crepe Paper | Comes in a variety of colors and textures to create the petals |
| Scissors | Used to cut the crepe paper into the desired shape and size |
| Floral Wire | Used to create the stem and support the petals |
| Glue | Used to attach the petals to the stem and hold the flower together |
| Floral Tape | Used to wrap the stem for a finished look |
Paper flowers are a fun and affordable DIY project that can add a pop of color to any living space. To create your own paper flowers, you’ll need just a few basic materials including crepe paper, scissors, floral wire, glue and floral tape.
With these supplies, you can create beautiful, one-of-a-kind flowers that are perfect for decorating your home or giving as a thoughtful gift.
Paper Medallions
Paper medallions are a great way to use up scraps of paper. You can use them as decorations, or even as gift tags for the holidays. If you want something simple and elegant, a paper medallion is a perfect choice!
For this project we’re going to make a star-shaped paper medallion from some scrap pieces of printer paper.
First, cut out two triangles from your piece of printer paper that measure 5 inches by 3 inches (12 cm x 7.5 cm). Then cut out another triangle that measures 4 inches by 1 inch (10 cm x 2 cm).
Now fold the large triangle in half lengthwise so that it forms an 8 inch (20 cm) rectangle with right sides together; then fold again into thirds so it looks like an open book with four pages folded together at each end.
Finally, lay the smaller triangle over top so that its bottom edge meets one edge of your 8 inch (20 cm) rectangle and trim off any excess paper around both sides until they meet flush with each other when opened up again.
Ready to take your scrapbooking to the next level? Check out our guide to DIY Scrapbooking and learn how to create beautiful albums and journals that showcase your memories in style.
Paper Bows
Making paper bows is a great way to add some extra flair to your gifts. What’s even better is that you can easily make one by yourself. Here’s how:
Materials:
- Sheet of white construction paper (at least 4″x6″)
- Scissors or craft knife
- Ribbon (optional)
Faux Wallpaper
Faux wallpaper is a great way to add some personality to your space, and it’s super easy to make. You’ll need paint, wallpaper samples, scissors or a craft knife, and a ruler.
To apply the faux paper:
Cut out the pattern you want from your sample sheet of paper by holding it up against your wall and using a sharp object like an X-Acto knife or utility blade (be careful!). Try not to cut through any other colors than the ones you want in order not to waste any materials; you can use these extras for future projects or experiments!
Tape down all four corners of your chosen pattern with painter’s tape so it doesn’t move while applying paint later on down the line; this step isn’t necessary but will help avoid accidental smudges when painting over them later on down
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Paint | Choose a paint color that complements your decor |
| Wallpaper Samples | Select wallpaper samples in the pattern and style you prefer |
| Scissors or Craft Knife | Used to cut the wallpaper samples to size |
| Ruler | Essential for measuring and cutting the wallpaper samples accurately |
Faux wallpaper is a simple and affordable way to add a personal touch to your walls. To create your own faux wallpaper, all you need are a few basic materials including paint, wallpaper samples, scissors or a craft knife, and a ruler. With these simple supplies, you can create a unique and stylish accent wall that adds visual interest to any room.
Paper Stars
Paper stars are a great way to add some color and dimension to your home decor. They look especially beautiful when hanging in groups, so consider making a bunch of them at once and then hanging them together on the same string or in clusters throughout your house!
Materials needed:
- A sheet of paper (any color will do)
- Scissors
- Pencil or pen
Stay up-to-date on the latest scrapbooking trends with our guide to The Top Scrapbooking Trends of the Year. From interactive layouts to mixed media elements, these trends will help you keep your scrapbooking fresh and fun.
Conclusion
You can create paper crafts of all kinds at home, and the best part is that they’re so easy to make that you’ll be amazed by what you can do with a piece or two of paper. From flowers to stars, there are so many options if you just use your imagination!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you explore paper crafting further:
How to Make a Paper Mache Bowl: This helpful video tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for making a beautiful paper mache bowl.
DIY Paper Flowers: Learn how to create stunning paper flowers with this easy-to-follow video tutorial.
Fold an Origami Butterfly: This fun and simple video tutorial teaches you how to fold an origami butterfly using just a square piece of paper.
FAQs
What kind of paper do I need for paper crafts?
The type of paper you use for paper crafting can depend on the specific project, but in general, it’s best to use a lightweight, acid-free paper that won’t yellow or deteriorate over time.
What are some basic supplies I will need for paper crafting?
Some basic supplies you might need include scissors, glue, a cutting mat, a ruler, and some different types of paper. For more advanced projects, you might also need specialized tools like a scoring board or a bone folder.
Can I make paper crafts with recycled materials?
Absolutely! In fact, many paper crafters enjoy using recycled materials like old book pages, newspaper, or even junk mail to create unique and eco-friendly projects.
What are some popular types of paper crafts?
Some popular types of paper crafts include scrapbooking, origami, paper quilling, and paper mache. Depending on your interests, you might also enjoy creating handmade cards, invitations, or even paper jewelry.
How can I learn more about paper crafting?
There are many resources available for learning about paper crafting, including online tutorials, books, and crafting communities. You might also consider taking a class or workshop to get more hands-on experience and connect with other paper crafters.
Hellen James is the creator of Unified Crafts and has been crafting since she was a kid accompanied by her mom to the craft store, where she was free to choose whatever ignited her imagination.