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If you’re looking for a fun and eco-friendly way to spruce up your home decor, try making coasters from newspaper tubes. This easy and affordable DIY project is perfect for anyone who enjoys crafting and wants to create something unique and practical. In this guide, we’ll show you how to make coasters from newspaper tubes and provide tips on how to customize them to suit your style.
Tools Needed
Before we get started, you’ll need a few tools and materials. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Newspaper
- Scissors
- Glue (preferably white glue or hot glue)
- Paintbrush (optional)
- Acrylic paint (optional)
- Sealer (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cut your newspaper into strips that are about 1 inch wide. You can use any length of newspaper, but the longer the strip, the wider the coaster will be.
Take one strip and fold it in half lengthwise.
Take the folded strip and roll it tightly around a pencil or pen. When you reach the end, remove the pencil and apply a dab of glue to the end of the strip to hold it in place.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have enough tubes to create your coaster. For a standard coaster, you’ll need about 25-30 tubes.
Once you have your tubes ready, it’s time to start weaving. Take one tube and bend it in half, so the ends meet.
Take another tube and slide it inside the bent tube, so it forms a cross shape.
Take two more tubes and slide them inside the cross shape, so they form a square.
Continue weaving the tubes together until you have a square shape that’s about 4-5 inches wide. Make sure to keep the weave tight and the tubes close together.
Apply a small amount of glue to the ends of the tubes to secure the weave in place.
Let the glue dry completely before removing the coaster from the weaving frame.
Customizing Your Coasters
Once your coasters are complete, you can customize them to match your decor or personal style. Here are a few ideas:
- Paint them with acrylic paint to add color and personality.
- Use a sealer to protect the coasters from moisture and spills.
- Add decorative elements like beads, buttons, or ribbon.
- Use them as a base for other crafts, like decoupage or embroidery.
Tips for Working with Newspaper Tubes
Working with newspaper tubes can be a little tricky, but with a little patience and practice, you’ll be a pro in no time. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Use a ruler or straight edge to keep your strips even and uniform.
- Experiment with different lengths and widths of strips to create different size coasters.
- Keep a small bowl of water nearby to dampen your fingers if the paper starts to dry out and become difficult to work with.
If you want your coasters to be extra durable, use hot glue instead of white glue.
Time Required
The amount of time it takes to make newspaper tube coasters depends on your level of experience and the number of coasters you’re making. On average, it takes about 30 minutes to create one coaster. However, once you get the hang of it, you can easily make several coasters in one sitting.
Conclusion
Making coasters from newspaper tubes is a fun and creative way to upcycle old newspapers and add some personality to your home decor. With a few basic tools and some patience, you can create unique coasters that are both stylish and practical.