4. Rolled Newspaper Basket
Old newspapers might seem destined for the recycling bin, but with a bit of patience, they can be coiled into a sturdy basket that’s perfect for storing keys, mail, yarn, or small plants.
Materials: Plenty of newspaper pages, a long thin object like a knitting needle or chopstick, craft glue or Mod Podge, a paintbrush, and optionally some acrylic paint for finishing.
Instructions: Cut newspaper pages into long strips about two inches wide. Take one strip and wrap it tightly around the knitting needle at a diagonal, gluing the end down. Once it’s started, keep rolling the strip, applying a thin line of glue every few inches to hold it together. This is your base coil. When you have a flat disc about two inches across, start building up the sides by coiling upward, gluing each new layer to the one beneath it. Shape the basket as you go, narrowing the top if you’d like. Once you’ve reached your desired height, let it dry completely, then paint or leave the text visible for a vintage look.
Time: 1 to 2 hours, mostly hands-on.
Difficulty: Moderate. The technique is simple, but the repetitive coiling takes patience.
Helpful tip: A small amount of glue goes a long way. Too much will make the paper soggy and slow drying.
Customization: Paint the finished basket in a solid color, or cover the exterior with fabric scraps using Mod Podge for a softer look.