Top 11 Simple and Beautiful Handmade Paper Products

Do you usually buy a gift box from the store every time you need to give a present? Well, you won’t need to do that anymore if you’re willing to spend a little time. To create a cute gift box using just paper, you'll need: 1 A4-sized colored cardboard sheet, 1 piece of black cardstock, 1 piece of creamy white cardstock, 1 piece of red felt fabric, 1 piece of red foam fabric, a heart-shaped mold for the lid and base of the box...

Step-by-step guide to making a paper gift box:

• Use a pencil to trace the heart shape on the red cardstock, then cut it out.
• To create the box, mark and cut a long rectangular strip of paper, then draw a parallel line the length of the paper’s longer side, leaving less than 1 cm from one edge. Fold along the marked line.
• Cut the folded section into a zigzag pattern.
• Apply glue around the heart shape and then attach the zigzag strip to the heart, wrapping it around to form the box’s body.
• Place the assembled box on the black cardstock, trace a heart shape for the base of the box, and cut it out.
• Trace and cut out a heart shape for the box’s lid.
• Create the lid by repeating steps 2 and 3 with a slightly smaller size.
• Cut and glue small glittery foam heart shapes onto the lid for decoration.

Rather than spending time and money shopping for a pre-made gift box that may not meet your expectations, why not save both time and costs by purchasing a few sheets of colored paper and folding the box according to your preferences?

Did you know that a photo looks even better when framed in a cute and charming frame? With just some regular paper, you can easily transform it into a beautiful photo frame. If you have young children, spending time together as a family to create colorful and creative photo frames can help develop their creative thinking while also strengthening the bond between parents and kids.

How to make a handmade paper photo frame:

Materials:

• Cardstock
• Art paper, scissors, carving knife, glue, etc.

Instructions:

• Use a pencil to draw 4 parallel lines along each edge of the paper, with two lines spaced 1.5 cm apart from each other.
• Cut out 4 squares from each corner of the paper. The side length of each square should be the same as the width of the parallel lines (4 × 1.5 = 6 cm).
• Draw a line parallel to the second set of parallel lines, 1.5 cm away from the cut squares. Then draw two diagonal lines connecting the ends of the line to the first and third parallel lines. Repeat on the opposite side.
• Cut along the drawn lines as shown below, then fold the four edges along the lines.
• Fold the paper into a box shape and carefully tuck the corners of the frame together to create a neat and attractive finish.
• If using the frame to display a photo, insert the picture. Alternatively, you can decorate it by drawing and cutting out a leaf shape, then use foam to add depth to the design.

When you think of a paper crane, many might consider it outdated or no longer trendy. However, in some small rooms, hospital spaces, and classrooms, you can still catch glimpses of these cranes through the windows. Paper cranes aren't just for decoration; people often fold them while making wishes. These cranes carry hopes and dreams, even the smallest ones. A paper crane symbolizes luck and good fortune. According to legend, if someone folds 1,000 paper cranes, their wishes will come true. That’s why lovers often fold them and give them to their significant others as a symbol of affection.

How to Fold a Paper Crane:

Materials:

• A4 paper, leftover notebook paper
• Square-shaped colored paper
• Moderately stiff colored cardboard

Instructions:

• First, fold the square paper in half diagonally, creating a triangle, then fold it again to make a smaller triangle in the middle.
• Next, place your thumb at point A and fold the paper so that edge B overlaps with edge C. Be sure to fold the bottom part of the paper into a smaller triangle.
• Unfold the paper, flip it over, then bring the two top corners of the triangle together, folding them down to form a square. With this square, fold a right-angle triangle. You’ll then fold the bottom corners inwards to create the shape.
• Flip the paper over and repeat the process on the other side to create the crane's wings.
• Next, fold the tail and head of the crane. Gently pull out the two paper tips and fold the left side slightly to form the crane’s head. Be sure to fold the tail deep enough to differentiate it from the head.
• Finally, spread the wings apart and gently blow into the hole at the bottom to inflate the body, completing your beautiful paper crane.

Paper bags are not just simple containers for holding things; they also play a crucial role for stores and businesses. Have you ever considered making your own cute and practical paper bags? These simple handmade paper bags not only serve as handy carriers, but they also help protect the environment since paper is easily recyclable and decomposes quickly. Take some time to create these simple paper bags and contribute to environmental protection.

How to Make a Simple Handmade Paper Bag:

Materials:

• 1 sheet of A4 or A5 paper (or other types depending on your needs)
• Glue
• Scissors
• Decorative items

Instructions:

• Start by folding the A4 sheet near the edge, leaving a small margin to fold down. Use glue to secure it, forming the bag's frame. Press the folds to make the edges crisp and the bag even.
• Fold the paper in half to create a center crease. Fold the edges of the bag to form triangles, then fold these triangles down. Unfold to reveal the crease and fold the edges back into a diamond shape. Fold the bottom triangle upwards until it touches the horizontal line. Then, fold the top triangle down, overlapping the bottom triangle, completing the base.
• To make the bag neat and square, fold the necessary edges, especially along the two sides (from top to bottom of the bag's base).
• For the bag's flap, fold the top edge and then use scissors to round the corners. Fold the flap neatly to finish the bag's appearance.
• As the final step, cut small pieces of paper for decoration. If you want handles, use leftover paper, crumple it for softness, twist it into a rope, and glue it to the sides of the bag.

Paper jewelry is not only beautiful but also unique, easy to make, and very cost-effective. If you love cute and charming accessories, this is a fun and creative hobby for your free time. Today, we will show you how to create a stunning piece of handmade jewelry using paper.

How to Make Handmade Paper Jewelry:

Materials:

• Pens
• Ruler
• Scissors, glue
• Toothpicks
• Colored paper (the more colors, the better)

Instructions:

• First, cut the paper into small strips, each with a triangular shape. The width should be about 0.5 – 1.5 cm, and the length should be at least 15 cm.
• Next, wrap the triangular strip tightly around a toothpick and glue it in place. The more carefully you apply the glue, the stronger and more durable your beads will be.
• Finally, string the beads onto a cord or wire. You can make necklaces, bracelets, or earrings from these paper beads.

As you can see, it’s quite simple to create paper jewelry that you can wear and show off to your friends. While it may seem unusual to make jewelry from paper, remember to keep your creations dry, as they are not water-resistant. Enjoy making your jewelry!

Have you ever considered making a handmade notebook from paper? It’s easier than you might think! With just a few minutes and some crafty hands, you can create a cute little notebook. By using leftover paper, the notebook will be compact, and you won't have to worry about the cost of printing or buying one from a store or factory.

How to Make a Handmade Notebook:

Materials:

• Scrap paper
• Cardboard
• Scissors, ruler, pencil
• Needle, thread
• Glue, colored paper for decoration

Instructions:

• First, cut the scrap paper into equal-sized pieces. If using A4 paper, cut it into four parts. Then fold each piece in half.
• Stack the folded paper together to form the notebook.
• Cut a piece of cardboard that’s slightly larger than the notebook. Fold it in half and attach it to the stack of paper.
• Measure about 1 cm from the edge and mark points along the fold to indicate where to stitch.
• Use a needle and thread to sew along the marked points. It's best to use thick needle and thread to avoid breakage, or you can use a hole puncher to make sewing easier.
• Decorate the cover as you like, cutting shapes from colored paper or drawing on it with markers.

Do you need a vase to decorate your study desk or living space, but don’t want to spend a fortune on an expensive vase from a store? No need to go anywhere; today I’ll show you how to make a simple flower vase. The materials are free and easy to find – I’m sure every home has some old newspapers lying around. You can use discarded newspapers or paper that’s already been used.

How to Make a Paper Flower Vase:

Materials:

• Old newspapers
• Cardboard, paint, skewers, glue sticks or liquid glue
• A rubber band, lace fabric, beads, fake pearls

Instructions:

• First, fold the newspaper in half, then fold it into three parts. Use scissors to cut along the folds. Use a skewer to roll the paper into small tubes, then secure them with glue.
• Roll around 25-30 tubes, depending on how large you want your vase. Fold two pieces of newspaper into a triangle about 15cm long, then wrap them around a round plastic bottle.
• Use glue to secure the paper. Arrange the small tubes around the bottle and use a rubber band to hold them in place. Trim the tubes evenly using scissors, and rotate them in the same direction.
• Cut a piece of cardboard into a round shape and make a hole in the center to fit the tubes. Secure the tubes and the cardboard with glue. Use one tube to flatten and wrap around the base of the vase where the rubber band is.
• Paint the entire vase (feel free to use multiple colors or mix and match for a vibrant look). Decorate with lace fabric and beads along the body, and add fake pearls to the tubes. Finally, cut a small round piece of cardboard to stick at the bottom of the vase.
• And voilà! You’ve created a beautiful paper vase using simple materials. No need to spend money – you can make your own cute and unique flower vase while recycling old newspapers. It’s a great way to repurpose old paper and add a new decoration to your room.

For students, office workers, and pretty much anyone who needs to keep their desk organized, a pen holder is an essential item. This small yet handy object helps tidy up your workspace and makes grabbing a pen easier. But how about making your own paper pen holder? Let’s discover how with Mytour’s simple tutorial!

How to Make a Handmade Paper Pen Holder:

Materials:

• Cardboard
• Tools: Glue, scissors, pencil, ruler
• Colored paper

Instructions:

• Create the Pen Holder Shape:
  • The first step in making your paper pen holder is to design the shape using stiff paper.
  • Use a pencil and ruler to draw the design on your paper, based on the size of your paper and the pen holder dimensions you prefer.
  • Cut along the lines you’ve drawn to shape the pen holder, then use a pen or craft knife to score the fold lines. This will make folding cleaner and sharper, giving your box a neat, crisp look.
  • Fold the large frame, and use tape to temporarily hold it together. Then, apply glue to secure the box. Don’t worry about the tape marks—later, we’ll decorate the outside to hide them!
• Decorate the Box:
  • Once the pen holder is shaped, it’s time for the fun part—decorating!
  • Measure each side of the box and cut colored paper to fit. You could alternate between red and white with polka dots for a fun design.
  • Add your favorite patterns and embellishments to the box, making it as unique as you like!

With just two simple steps, you’ll have your very own pen holder (with multiple compartments) to organize your pens and add a personal touch to your desk.

Originating from Japan, quilling is the art of rolling paper strips into beautiful shapes using a special tool. The basic technique of quilling is easy to learn, and with a little patience and precision, you can create stunning designs using colorful paper strips.

How to Make a Beautiful Quilling Card:

Materials:

• Quilling tool
• Quilling paper strips
• Glue, scissors, and other tools

Steps:

• To create various quilling shapes, you need to understand the basics of rolling tightly. Start by placing one end of the paper strip into the quilling tool, hold it with your thumb and index finger, and spin the tool to tightly roll the paper.
• From there, you can gently pinch and bend the rolled paper into different shapes according to your creative ideas.
• Once you’ve created your desired shapes, you can arrange them into flowers, hearts, windows, or whatever you like, and glue them onto your card.

With a little skill and patience, you can craft a beautiful and creative quilling card to send heartfelt messages to your loved ones.

Lanterns have long been a part of cultural traditions, especially during festivals when they serve not only as a light source but also as decorative pieces. Imagine creating your own lantern with your hands! Using just simple colored paper, you can craft a beautiful lantern to brighten up your home. There are various methods to make paper lanterns depending on the design you choose.

How to Make a Paper Lantern:

• Start by printing a template onto two A4 sheets of paper, then cut along the dotted lines. Next, use a needle to lightly score the straight lines on the paper to create fold marks.
• Similarly, score the diagonal lines with the needle to create folds in the opposite direction. The goal here is to form triangular and diamond shapes in the center of the paper.
• After folding the paper to form these basic shapes, carefully crease the folds to make sure they’re neat and symmetrical.
• Finally, use glue to join the two sheets of paper together, and voilà – you have your very own handmade paper lantern!

For festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival, a paper lantern adds a warm glow to your surroundings and makes the space feel more familiar and festive.

For those who enjoy decorating their homes and crafting handmade items, making paper flowers is likely a familiar activity. While it may seem simple, creating a beautiful and delicate paper flower is truly an art. The main material used for this is crepe paper. In addition, you’ll need floral wire, scissors, string, tape, and other necessary supplies.

How to Make Paper Flowers:

• Start by folding the paper diagonally by about 1-1.5 cm.
• Next, fold it diagonally again, perpendicular to the edge, with a side length of about 2-2.5 cm.
• Twist the end of the paper, then begin rolling it into a flower shape. Make sure to adjust the shape as you go.
• Once you finish rolling, secure the flower with string.
• For the stem, take a piece of floral wire and insert it directly into the base of the flower.

These handmade paper flowers make thoughtful gifts for loved ones and also serve as beautiful decorations, adding a poetic touch to any space.