Newspaper basket | How About Orange

June 09, 2009

Newspaper basket

Last night's project, a basket made from old newspaper. After seeing this post at CraftStylish, I was inspired to try one. Maybe I'll keep books and remote controls in it.

1. I cut the folded edge off a couple sections of newspaper and then cut those pages in half lengthwise. I used about 20 pages for this basket (about 40 strips). My rotary cutter and cutting mat made short work of the cutting. Recommended if you have one.

2. Fold the newspaper pieces in half lengthwise, then again lengthwise into quarters, then into eighths, so you have some sturdy strips. Mine were 3/4" wide. If you want to use fewer, wider strips, use the whole newspaper sheet. Obviously you can adjust the size of your strips.

3. Start weaving from the center outward. Use staples (or glue dots, double-sided tape, etc.) where needed to secure your pieces, especially on the first few strips you put together. You can remove the staples after the basket is finished if you think they're too hideous to bear.

4. When you decide your bottom is big enough (your basket's bottom, that is; I'm sure most of us think our own bottom is plenty large), fold your exposed strips upward at a 90º angle to form the sides. Start weaving in horizontal strips to fill in the sides, securing the ends with staples as you go.

5. When you reach the top, fold the vertical strips over to the inside and secure them with staples, or cut them off. I stapled another strip around the circumference of the top, folded over the rim, to hide the ugly ends. You could use glue or double-sided tape for this if you don't want to see staples.

100 comments:

Prudy said...

Great way to recycle. And if you don't want it any more just throw in the recycle bin. :)

l said...

That's awesome! I'm very tempted to try, though I don't have a rotary cutter and a cutting mat

Holly @ Domestic Dork said...

Isn't that going to get newsprint ink all over? Maybe you could spray it with sealer (like for charcoal drawings) or lacquer or something?

jen jafarzadeh said...

i love this concept and yours turned out so well! honestly i think your basket is better looking than the recycled newspaper containers you can find at the container store. and yours is handmade!

Grandma G said...

Did you have black fingers when you got done?

Jessica Jones said...

Lisa, just use a scissors. The cuts don't even have to be perfectly straight because you'll fold it up anyhow.

And my fingers were kinda gray, not completely black. :) It washed off easily, thank goodness.

Jessica Jones said...

The basket itself doesn't seem to be leaving any residue around. I guess, same as when you set newspapers on your table. But you could spray it with fixative or clear acrylic sealer. There are many brands; here's one:
http://www.decoart.com/cgi-bin/Products.cgi?Americana_Spray_Sealer

emily said...

ooooh it looks so great!

JJB said...

awesome! i think i might be able to handle that!

B said...

I'm going to have to get some newspapers so I can make one or two of those. Totally cute.

Tree said...

love your "office space" stapler.
:)

Jessica Jones said...

Thank you very much.

Lori P said...

That is the coolest! Got to try it for myself.

::Sylvia:: said...

What a fab idea! Thanks!

Stop by my blog, A Purse Full of Cheerios, and enter the contest for a free COACH bag!

Anonymous said...

I love quick and unique projects like this. Thanks for the step by step

Rebekah said...

Hee hee! I was giggling about my big bottom before I even got to your "clarification." :) Very cute idea!

alexandra s.m. said...

fun! It looks great Jess!

elena said...

Love it! Great use for your orange stapler.

Nancy at EmbroideryIt.com said...

I love the recycling. You did a great job!
Nancy
www.basketmasterweavings.blogspot.com

Jennie Bee said...

Aw I made those in Ele school!

Ashlee said...

I'd like to try covering the finished thing in Mod Podge to see if it could be more permanent. I can't wait to try this! Thanks for the great instructions!

Bee Designs said...

Just found your blog and I love all these fantastic ideas, i'm going to be very busy trying them all out!

Jessica said...

That's totally awesome! I'll have to try it out.

suz said...

This project looks like a great summer project!

I just read your June 8 "My New Life" entry - sounds perfect!

Bunny said...

This looks great! Is there a coating you can spray on to prevent the newspaper ink from rubbing onto other surfaces?

Megan said...

I'm sorry I missed out on the fun :-) Looks great! Maybe I'll make one for my mom while I'm down here.

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carrie @ bloomacious said...

that's remarkable! I wonder if I can make that?? Will have to try and report back.

Anonymous said...

Brilliant idea! Lovely result! Can't wait to try it out!

Tif said...

This is fun. I may have to try this!!

Anonymous said...

These are the times that I wish that I weren't totally incompetent at crafts and the like.

LissyLou said...

That is great, i love it!

Nancy Pope said...

I've done a similar project 10 years ago, but I use brown paper bags. It is STILL very sturdy - I have even wash it down once and let it air dry. With mine, I added handles with large brads.

Jessica Jones said...

Sounds very cool! Hmm, now I gotta try the paper bags!

Jessaca said...

I wish I lived near you. I need such a talented friend who can make such amazing stuff. You have patience I do not, the inspiration I'm in want of, and of course, the vision I completely lack. Thanks for sharing.

jessica said...

this is fabulous. it gives me an idea using paper shopping bags. i have so many and i don't want to throw them out, they are very nice. this could work.

Unknown said...

LOVE this idea. Wonder if I could make a really, really big one to store recent newspapers in!

Jane Chew said...

I am glad to find your website. Beautiful and informative! i have link your website thru RSS to www.diylessons.ning.com, a social networking website for DIY lessons

Teresa said...

I remember hearing that if you iron newspapers that it will set the ink and keep it from rubbing off I don't know if it is true or not but it would make it easier to fold the strips if you would iron them when your are folding them

Anonymous said...

If you roll up a single newspaper sheet really tight, secure with a bit of tape then flatten it, you get a stronger weaving strip, easier than cutting. Try at angles for longer strips. All sorts of basket shapes are possible, start with a diamond bottom for example. Spray paint looks fantastic: I like gold edges.

Unknown said...

I love this idea! My husband just emailed this to me, what a sweetie. My daughters and daughter-in-law are always trying to come up with "green" ideas for gifts. I'm going to make them each a basket for Christmas! Thanks for the really clear instructions.

yyyzzzz said...

I assume you meant bare, not bear?

Unknown said...

I was looking for such a tutorial last week. Can't wait to try it.

Here's another great project - a recycled magazine flower video: http://alamodestuff.blogspot.com/2009/06/diy-origami-recycled-magazine-flower.html

Jessica Jones said...

I'll check out that tutorial; thanks!

yyyzzzz, no, I really did mean "bear," not "bare." As in, accept or stand or tolerate. :)

Green Girl said...

hey great job! ive been wanting to do this project for the longest time!

Unknown said...

Wow.. it's really great!! Thanks for giving the craftstylish link.

Denelle said...

I am definitely going to try this... and, because I have done a few (amateur-level) weaving projects, I think I'll try making it in a custom-sized retangle. Then, make another, just a little bit bigger. And, voilá, with the upside-down bigger one over the first one, I'll have a custom-made gift box!

For the "stronger, longer-lasting" aspect, wouldn't it work to paint it lightly with some watered-down white glue?

Now I just have to collect enough Sunday funny pages before my nephew's birthday!! Thanks for the great idea! :-D

Denelle said...

...or maybe not a "retangle." Maybe a rectangle, instead!
Or I could keep it simple and just make a square and put the present in diagonally! ;-p

Jessica Jones said...

Yeah, Denelle, make a retangle! Hee hee. I think watered down white glue or mod podge would work. Try it!

Jennia Hart said...

Love your basket!! Will print out instructions to make this with my students when school starts again!

Anonymous said...

I immediately went to work upon finding this article, sitting as I was with a stack of newspapers at my feet. Took two hours, and I ran out of tape about 6 inches from the end (of course), but finishing wont take but a moment tomorrow when I get to a store. My dad has been in the newspaper business my whole life, so this is going to be a perfect Father's Day gift! (yes, Father's Day is tomorrow, but he is out of town, so I cant even give it to him yet, so it doesnt matter, right?) Thank you for the inspiration and the how-to! He will be so thrilled!

philljando said...

I thought this was a great idea for re-using something everyone has in their homes.

Anonymous said...

Goodness,it looks so great i feel compelled to try it.The instructions do leave me unsure what i should do next but i am neverless going to try making one!

Beth said...

The basket looks so cool! I want to make one too!

manila condos said...

i just like the flower newspaper. very lovely

Barefoot Studios Ok, LLC said...

LOVE THIS!!!

Julie Bagamary said...

Very clever!

Sew Flippin Cool said...

Hi!

Just wanted to let you know I featured this tutorial and the newspaper flowers in a post all about upcycle crafting. Thanks!

Emily
The Handmade Experiment
http://emilyflippinmaruna.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/must-make-monday-upcycled/

Julsie1231 said...

hmmm, neat idea, I wonder what things I can use...like twill tape???

redrumwriter63 said...

I made a smaller one from the pages of a magazine. It is good for containing the contents of my pockets when I get home so that I don't lose them. And it is very colorful.

Each strip was made from a full page but I did cut off the scraggly edges.

I also made a pointless, much smaller one big enough to fit a quarter in. Experimenting with the sizes of strips.

Mommys Online Garage Sale said...

Very Cool, I'm going to try this!

Unknown said...

You had me with the red Swingline stapler....

o2 said...

Thank you for this wonderful idea !
Your blog is just awesome.

o2

Anonymous said...

wonderful! looking for a project for the kids for the holidays - this is perfect - no cost, easy, and the end product is so useful. i wonder how many we can make as xmas presents?????

Anonymous said...

Loved the idea but I haven't done any crafts so I don't know how to finish it. could you write out all the instructions w/images plssss. I'd love to be able to do it. I did the 1st part but I don't know how to shape it and finish it. Great site. Thank you,

Jenna said...

what a fantastic idea! Thank you so so much!

Anonymous said...

Wow cool idea! I'll be making one of these for my bedroom, the upstairs office, and our basement office.. my parents get the newspaper daily so I've got a pile about a foot high!!! I'm going to paint the recycling logo onto the outside of the basket, and we'll use it to recycle paper!!! Right now all the paper in our offices just goes in the trash.. eek!

Thanks for a great idea for a recycled recycling bin! :P

Anonymous said...

I did a similar basket project but used magazines instead of newspapers. You have to glue to pieces together to make the long strips but its worth the extra bit of work to have colorful baskets. They are pretty strong for just paper. I've seen these in stores like Pier One for upwards of $20. Who knew a little recycling creativity can save so much money and be trendy!

Unknown said...

Es una gran ideas, que la comparto yo tambien tengo trabajos iguales y otros con ideas muy originales en mi blog:
http://reciclarycrearmanualidades.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I weaved the bottom part, and my strips were about twice the width of yours (i didnt cut the pages in half) and i weaved the bottom to be 8 strips by 10 strips, and there was barely enough room to fold the sides up! did i do something wrong??

Anonymous said...

i wanna do that myself, im still young so i dont really know how to.
but i made something like this in 4th grade so wont be that hard.
this is for a science grade in science in my 5th grade class.it is going into a ciriculum fair. so my teacher told us we have to make somehing for our science grade.
yea yea so thanks for the idea !
i was going crazy looking for something to do !

Anonymous said...

A question?.. are they strong enough to hold things that are pretty heavy such as wine bottle or wheat begs?

Jessica Jones said...

Probably not; the baskets are quite flexible and it seems like you'd want something more rigid.

elephant lover said...

go green!!!! very cute and easy. i shared it with my friends on fb. thanks

Marian said...

This is a wonderful idea. Now I know what to do with my old magazines.
Thank you so much for this post.
Greetings from Spain.

shredding Dallas said...

When we encounter the word 'recycle', paper products are the ones that usually register to our minds right away but let us not forget that even plastic, old cell
phones as well as old computer parts can now be recycled. Whether it's a papercraft made from recycled or shredded paper, plastic or other kinds of ornaments - the important thing is that you have placed thought and care on your gift.

Anonymous said...

great! sounds fun...except cutting everything by hand haha!

Anonymous said...

Love!!!

Anonymous said...

wHAT A Wonderful to way to recycle! I'm deffinetly going to try this, even a smaller size, see if I can't try to make a basket for Easter with my grandson! Any ideas on how to make a handle? Maybe we can paint it with some homemade kid friendly paint and some embelishments. thanks for the great how to instructions even me and my large bottom can understand!lol grammy

Anonymous said...

To avoid the ink smudging or transferring, just iron the newspaper sheets before using. It's an old trick I picked up from the butler's characters in several movies!

Jessica Jones said...

Wow, interesting! Thanks for the tip! I like that you watch movies that have butlers in them. Excellent.

Anonymous said...

Sweet! It looks great! thx for the idea! Making a bunch!

Anonymous said...

Bet you could tape each strip to eliminate ink problem, strengthen and shine your basket, plus- water resistant! I'll try it out and see...

Anonymous said...

Awesome!! I cant wait to try it for my parents anniversary!!

Elizabeth said...

I just did this last night and it turned out so cute. I turned our baskets into Easter Baskets for the kids complete with a handle and everything. I even posted it our blog at http://ingoodcents.com/2012/04/sundays-at-home-newspaper-easter-baskets.html

kittyknitter said...

Can't wait to try this! Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

I'm loving this project since it up cycles! Everyone really should recycle- great post to share! thanks so much! http://www.craftbaby.com

Anonymous said...

I just found this project and it was fun to do! I used a credit card to crease the paper (and save some ink on my hands) and double-stick tape (because who the heck knows where my stapler went). My top rim didn't come out as nice as yours, but I enjoyed it overall. thanks!

Christy said...

I made one today. I folded the paper up yesterday and today I put it together. I actually had two going at the same time (my son was helping me). I did them two different ways to find the easiest way. It was a bit difficult. I made a mistake at one point. i used a glue stick. Next time I think I will use a stapler, cause I had to unglue some to put one of the sides in. I will do this again, but will learn from my first time. I love the basket. Just gonna add some wide ribbon to the top. Thanks for the TUT.

Marisa said...

¡Qué linda manera para hacer canastos y otras cosas!
Pertenezco a una comunidad de manualidades donde hacen cosas re lindas también, sin duda podrías aportar todo este conocimiento y habilidad. Espero que quieras unirte!

Elizabeth said...

Hi! I just made one using yours as inspiration. I left a link, just so you know.
Liz
http://liz-makes.blogspot.com/2013/01/liz-makes-newspaper-basket.html

Jessica Jones said...

Nice work, Elizabeth!

Elizabeth said...

Thanks Jessica!
Liz

Unknown said...

This is awesome. Going to try it with my ELL students!

Suzanne @ www.smallchangesbigimprovements.com

sarah said...

its great i have made one and i am going to use it or give it some one else

Catherine's Not Naturally Crafty said...

Oh, I just thought, those marvy paper bags with handles where, either the handle or the bag inevitably blows out, reuse that paper. Lot's of it is wonderfully colored.

Unknown said...

Fabulous idea. I am going to help my. 2 grandchildren each make one for their Mom & Dad's birthdays in the next few weeks. Thank you for the craft and instructions are explained very well.
"Crafty Nana"

Jeans and a Sweatshirt- said...

Am I the only one who can't get the sides to work well? Any tips for the spaz?

Anonymous said...

Might try using magazine pages. Wonder how much fun it will be to extend the strips? staple together maybe?

marlene41 said...

I used to make paper twist baskets using standard tissue paper boxes as the base (good use for recycling old tissue boxes, too). It worked well & allowed the new basket to square up nicely. I believe I covered the inside of the tissue box with opened paper twist. Paper twist has a little soft bulk, which hides the base; newspaper doesn't have the same bulk, so you might have to remove the tissue box. If you didn't, perhaps lining it with gift wrap might work. For the handle, I braided the opened twist. I believe you could use a flat braid of newspaper for a handle.