Affordable Folded Paper or Card Gift Boxes
'Tis almost the season where your hard-earned earnings are spent faster than you can earn them and any way to save is appreciated, which is why these DIY affordable folded paper or card gift boxes are a great money-saving project!
Make Decorative Shelves Using Cardboard
Decorative cardboard shelves are easy to make and a great way of using any cardboard boxes you have at home.
Use Cardboard to Make Decor Accessories for your Home
This stunning shabby-chic style clock is made using cardboard and coated with chalk paint... who would have thought?
5 Inspirational Ideas For Getting Started With Paper Crafting
We list five paper crafts you can try and we guarantee that it won’t be long before you’re hooked on one or more of them!
How to Make Beautiful Notepad Paper Roses
These beautiful and delicate paper roses are made using your ordinary notepad papers that you can buy at almost any craft or stationery store and they don't even cost much.
Discover the Ancient Art of Paper Mâché
Used for decorative crafts since around 200 B.C, paper mâché is one a craft that is inexpensive and very easy to learn how to do.
Paper Flowers for Wall Decoration
There's a new and exciting trend that's popping up on websites around the globe - paper flowers for wall decoration.
Make your own Disposable Face Mask
Panic buying has resulted in a shortage of face masks, not only for private individuals, but also health care professionals, so here's how you can make your own face mask.
Intricate Paper Designs by Raya Sader Bujana
Raya Sader Bujana crafts the most intricate houseplants and baskets using nothing more than paper.
Method for Wrinkle-Free Decoupage
Follow these step-by-step instructions to create beautiful accessories finished with wrinkle-free decoupage using serviettes.
Recycled paper art and decor
Recycled paper has long been useful for crafts and now you can use recycled paper for art and decor accessories.
Pretty Up your Planters with Washi Tape
Everywhere you look these days you will see plain planters and flower pots being prettied up with paint or washi tape, and it's such an easy craft idea that we decided to share some of our favourite planter ideas.
These Coffee Filter Craft Ideas will keep you busy!
If you drink a lot of coffee, you will have fun with these creative craft ideas and hacks that you can make with coffee filters.
Acrylic Pouring – the new Trend in Painting
With fluid painting you can create fascinating and beautiful works of art. You will not achieve comparable effects with any classical painting technique.
Paper Maché Gift Boxes
Who wouldn't appreciate a gift when it is presented in a beautiful paper maché gift box, even a batch of homemade cupcakes or muffins in a paper maché box that looks good enough to eat!
Gift Boxes for small Gifts and Treats
We have previously used coloured card to make gift boxes and here's another gift box ideas for small gifts and treats.
Valentine Gift Box Ideas
Make your own inexpensive Valentine gift boxes using coloured card and give to your loved one this Valentine's Day.
Make a nightlight with straws or rolled paper
Here's how to make a nightlight or decorative lamp using straws or paper tubes, cardboard and an LED lighting strip.
Beautiful Quilled Succulent Garden
Hard to believe that this everlasting display of succulents is crafted entirely of paper - using the quilling method.
Upcycle holiday tins
Many stores sell Christmas goods in tins, and here's a way to turn these into practical and pretty storage containers.
Everlasting Spring Flowers
Use coloured paper to make a bunch of everlasting Spring flowers to brighten up your home.
Vintage storage jars
These easy to make vintage storage jars will add the perfect finishing touch to your pantry or countertop.
Crepe paper flowers
After recently hunting high and low for decent silk flowers and discovering the ridiculous cost for a single stem, my sights have turned towards making crepe paper flowers.
Custom gift boxes
Quality gift boxes can sometimes end up costing more than the gift. We show you how to make your own rigid gift boxes for any size or shape of gift.
Pretty and affordable party decor
Use paper doilies, coloured paper, glue and string to embellish a table and add a wonderfully feminine touch to your Mother's Day decor.
Paper wall lights that add modern glamour
These paper walls lights are the most affordable and easy to make lights you can add to your home. The design is elegant and modern and it's hard to believe they are made of plain paper.
Use card to make beautiful flower arrangements
Use coloured card or craft papers to make your own pretty floral display. We show you how to make roses and hyacinths and a selection of card or paper flowers to put together a creative and colourful display for your home or for a special event
Recycled cardboard bird figurines
If you're looking for something different to relieve your stress, what about combining recycling and crafts by making these beautiful birds from cardboard boxes.
Card & paper decor and gifts
I have been following Lia Griffith for quite some time. Using different types of card and paper she crafts some amazing designs for home decor and holidays.
Decorative paper lanterns
If you are looking for an affordable, quick and easy way to dress up a table for a special occasion, these paper lanterns are just the thing. All you need is some cardstock, a template and a craft knife and cutting mat to make your own decorative paper lanterns. It's also a great way to repurpose mis-matched or chipped glasses!
The most gorgeous paper roses
If you need to organise a unique centrepiece, make your own home decor, decorate for a party or special occasion, or are looking for DIY ideas for a wedding, these are the most gorgeous paper roses you will find on the Internet.
Paper mache vases or storage jars
Using paper mache to make your home decor is an easy, fun and affordable way to add a few decorative accents to a home. These paper mache pots are super easy to make, and you can even add lids and use them for storage.
Recycle old magazines into creative containers
We put together some easy-peasy crafts that the kids can do using old magazines. I have had fun using magazines and newspapers rolled into tubes and realised that this is a great project for young kids, and a great way to recycle old magazines.
Recycle cardboard into trinket boxes
These pretty trinket or keepsake boxes are made using recycled cardboard, some glue and paint. You can make them as gifts or for storing treasured or special items.
Chinese paper lanterns with style!
If you have a China Mall close to you, or a discount home store, you will find inexpensive Chinese paper lanterns . These paper lanterns are perfect for dressing up for a special event or party, and you can even hang them in your home.
Colourful newspaper baskets
I have spent hours looking for projects on rolled newspaper or paper baskets and have discovered so many easy ways to use rolled newspaper to make baskets in various shapes and sizes - and it's so easy!
Rolled tube wine bottle holder
If you feel that weaving with rolled newspaper to make baskets might be too much for you, consider using rolled newspaper tubes in an easier method to create home decor accessories. In this project you roll newspaper tubes to create an attractive wine bottle holder - and it won't cost anything other than a few supplies that you probably already have.
Newspaper weave basket toadstool
It's official... I am now hooked on weaving with newspaper. Having just completed my first two paper weaving projects using newspapers I can't wait to get stuck into the next project.
Weaving newspaper storage baskets
I have just discovered how easy it is to weave a basket using newspaper! It's so simple to roll paper tubes out of newspaper and then weave the tubes into a basket.
How to weave a paper basket
Discover the art of weaving paper baskets, from a basic weave basket for the beginner, to a faux wicker basket made from rolled paper that you can use for storage.
Weave a pattern paper or soft paper basket
Pattern paper is lovely and soft and is lovely for using to make a weave basket. You can also use soft brown or white paper to make a pretty decorative weave basket. You can also substitute with colourful or patterned tissue paper.
Crafty ideas using leftover wrapping paper
If you have rolls of wrapping paper leftover from the holiday season, you can either store it until next year, or use it in other ways.
Cover up a plain box with wrapping paper
Using leftover wrapping paper or decorative scrapbooking paper is one of the fun ways to make your own decorative storage boxes. Recycle gift boxes, shoe boxes or cardboard boxes into attractive storage boxes for your home.
Colourful and unique business cards
When setting up a home or small business, having business cards printed is the first thing you do, or should do. This project shows how you can transform plain printed business cards (on the cheap) into colourful creations.
Gift box for parties and small presents
So simple to make and pretty to look at, these cardboard gift boxes are designed to look like a small purse. Perfect for party favours for a little miss birthday party, or for a special event. You can customise the design using plain or patterned cardstock in any colour.
Easy to make honeycomb garland
I have seen these honeycomb garlands popping up all over the Internet. When I was young my whole family used to get together to make all the Christmas decorations for our home, from honeycomb balls to crepe paper garlands and making them is actually quite simple.
Paper butterfly mobile or chandelier
Make this paper butterfly mobile or chandelier for a nursery or a little girl's bedroom. You can use colourful wrapping paper or patterned scrapbook paper to make the chandelier to match existing decor.
Make your own gift boxes
Buying gift boxes has become very, very expensive. Even a simple gift box can cost from R30 upwards. To make your own gift boxes you only need colourful or patterned card and a few other items. And you can even make your own colourful card by using your PC printer.
Repurpose cardboard boxes
Decorate cardboard boxes with fabric, wrapping paper or faux leather to create an attractive display that's also useful for storage. I like to collect shoe boxes and packing boxes and then re-use them, and covering them up means you can put them on display.
Re-discover the art of crafting with paper mache
Using nothing more than flour, water and newspaper I would sit and craft for hours on end making bowls that would be painted in bright colours. Crafting with paper mache is a hobby that is very inexpensive and uses materials readily found in the home.
Party favour or gift boxes
Hosting a party or celebration can cost a fortune. Simply by making your own party favour boxes you will save a substantial amount. Plus, these party favour boxes are also ideal as gift boxes.
Table lamps using parchment or wax paper
Take a look at these beautiful table lamp designs by Hannah Nunn. The lamps are made of parchment or wax paper and although Hannah uses a laser to cut out the designs on each lamp, you can use a craft cutter.
Now you can buy washi tape in SA
Washi tape is a printed Japanese paper tape that is self-adhesive and comes in rolls like regular sticky tape. What makes washi
tape so special is the designs and
colours it comes in.
How to make paper mums
Make beautiful paper mums as decor accessories, or use them as serviette rings, or make up a colourful selection and give them as a gift.
Beautiful ice cream cone flowers
If you are planning a party, event or special occasion, these fabulous ice cream cone flowers are just the thing for adding a splash of colour. The flowers are made of colourful paper and a sugar cone is wrapped with striped paper.
Protea place card holders or table decor
These beautiful place card proteas look complicated but are actually quite simple to make. Make your flowers using card stock or paper in pretty colours and then use them as place card holders or as elegant decorations for a special table setting.
Gorgeous paper flowers
Don't you just love these gorgeous paper flowers. They look so delicate and life like. I found the Spanish instructions on dri and just had to share with you. These paper flowers are perfect for a special occasion, wedding or event, or even to add a splash of colour to a home.
Make your own wrapping tape
Instead of wrapping your presents with boring sellotape, make rolls of pretty decorative wrapping tape with your favourite patterned wrapping or scrapbooking paper and double-side tape. This wrapping tape is also perfect for wrapping up plain, brown paper wrappings.
Make your own gift boxes
Not only ideal for weddings and parties, these free templates for gift boxes and party favour boxes are perfect for Christmas, celebrations and special events. Download the free templates, print out and then make your own gift boxes or party favour boxes.
Paper notepad and pen holder
Christmas is not too far away (again) and that means time to start hunting around for suitable gifts for family and friends. I am one of those that likes to give and receive gifts made with love, and this is one of those gifts.
Make your own rolled paper beads
I'm not much of a jewellery person, but when I do wear jewellery I like to go over the top and really wear lots of it. The idea of being able to make my own really big, bold and colourful jewellery is exciting and I can't wait to get started on my first pair of paper bead earrings!
Papercraft butterfly art
I love the emergence of crafts with butterflies, particularly those that are easy to duplicate without much fuss and at little cost. Paper butterflies are so easy to make and you can print them out on your PC printer or use wrapping paper to create beautiful colours and designs.
Translucent lamp shade
This lamp shade is translucent when the light is switched on and is made by dipping paper circles into wax that has been coloured with dye or food colouring.
Get creative with paper
I come across so many great websites as I browse the Internet and see so many wonderful ideas. Here are some creative ideas that cost hardly anything for a result that is unique and fun. Crafting with coloured paper is an affordable way to create your own fun decor.
Make a cardboard cupcake stand
I am so in love with this little cutey. The project is made using coloured card. Instead of forking out to buy a cupcake stand, you can print our your designs to match a themed party.
Repurpose old books
I recently posted an article on styling bookshelves and one way to dress up a bookshelf by repurposing items you probably already have at home is to create book bundles. There are quite a few projects for making your own book bundles on the Internet and I am sharing a few with you...
Colourful clock with embossed detail
Colourful card stock can be used to make a colourful wall clock that won't cost much and you can colour coordinate to match your decor - and change it anytime you want!
Make your own picnic or party baskets
Party planner, Jordan, made up some picnic baskets using butcher paper - you could also use medium-weight card or poster board. These cute baskets are actually quite sturdy and would be great for a children's birthday party or similar event.
Use buttons for gift and greeting cards
We've previously featured a project that show how to use buttons in so many ways, and one way was to use them to decorate gift and greeting cards. Here are a couple of craft projects where you can use buttons to embellish gift and greeting cards.
Wonderful ways to craft with paper
Quilling has been around for years — hundreds, in fact. Nowadays, quilling is used to create artwork, greeting cards and other decorative items.
Paint swatch wall art
Match your wall art to the colours in your room with funky paint swatch wall art. If you already have a couple of frames, this project won't cost you a cent.
Paper mache bluebirds
I recently stumbled across a post that has some really nice projects and shows you how to make a very good paper mache recipe.
Metallic art
Create a dramatic artwork for your home at a cost of less than R200 for all your materials. You can make this as small or as large as you wish for instant impact and just a touch of metallic glitz.
Make a pill box
Use it for lotions, ointments, herbal teas, or chocolate before giving it as a gift. Once the treats are gone, your gift box becomes a beautiful pink pill box, that can be used for storage.
Paper flowers
Planning a wedding or looking for a new way to display flowers in your home? The kusudama is an ancient Japanese craft that uses paper to create multiple identical origami shapes that are glued together.
How to make a pinwheel
Pinwheels are fun and easy to make and can add a splash of colour to your home or garden. Pop them into a vase for a quirky display or as a colourful centrepiece on a garden table, or at a birthday party, or...
Paper lantern
Light and paper are always a good combination, and indirect lighting can be such a nice way to soften the feeling in a room. Add a little bit of a three-dimensional design and the impact of this simple project will be self-evident.
Crepe paper roses
Another craft that has been re-invented is using crepe paper. I have seen these gorgeous crepe paper blooms all over the Internet - it's hard to believe that they are so easy to make.
Recycle newspaper
You can make these adorable flowers with newspaper and buttons.
Cardboard chandelier
Here's a way to use cardboard boxes to make chandeliers for your home - affordable too!