Make the paper itself!
Let's start off with the paper itself. You can actually make the paper. There is something very rewarding and very sastisfying about making your own paper. And it isn't difficult to do if you use the process where you recycle old paper into a new paper. I have a series of tutorials on this that start right here. How to Make Paper. The picture here at left shows the papers that I make in the tutorial . And if you do make paper like this you have a whole lot of options with it. I have made birthday cards with this method. You can also make envelopes and stationary. Those are all pretty easy to figure out ideas.
Use the home made paper to make sculptures
But did you know that the paper is very malleable and shapeable when you are making it. While it is soft and wet you can shape it into sculptural shapes? You sure can. I use this process of sculpting paper to make a series of small tents for a castle siege scene diorama. You can check out that tutorial here: Forming paper into shapes and sculptures. Okay, we have explored the actual process of making the paper and what you can do with it. But maybe that isnt quite what you are looking for. Maybe you want to grab some paper and be creative with it by making something! Let's look at some of the various things you can make.
How about the Japanese art of paper folding?
Origami is the art of folding paper into shapes, animals and more. And it is a wonderful use of paper. The compound word Ori gami translates into paper folding. This is exactly what you do. And you can make some amazing things with just a square of paper. Notice that I said a square of paper. Traditional origami starts with a square! Here are two beginner tutorials for you to make if you want to give it a try. It is a wonderful paper project.
This origami bird is a beautiful and easy project to make. It is a very traditional fold and it comes out great. I show you how to make one with a video, step by step: Make an Origami Bird
If you want to try something even easier that looks great. You could make this origami pyramid. Yup, just a square of paper and easy to make. This is one of my more popular video tutorials. Make an Origami Pyramid
Make a paper Castle
This is one of my favorite projects and one of my most popular. I have several different castles you can make including this one that is great for children. Make a Paper Castle for Kids
And this one it is a copy of the famous Neuschwanstein (Disney) castle. I give you the template. You print it up, cut out the pieces and tape/glue them together. Or you can go ahead and look over my castles then make one yourself!
Make a paper diorama
In Japan they call this the art of Tatebanko. It is where you make a paper box then make a paper scene that goes inside. I have done many many of these. You can buy them, but I have ten different paper diorama scenes that you can print up and make including scenes for castles, lord of the rings, Halloween and more. Make a Paper Diorama (tatebanko)
Make a Paper Game
Yes, it just takes some creativity, imagination and paper. And you can make a paper board game. And if you need dice you can make them out of paper too. I give you that! Here I have a whole lot of different paper games. And as always they are free to download and print up. Some of the games include India, Kingdom, Dragonslayer, Storm The Castle, Rescue the princess and more. Check them out right here: Make Paper Games!
Make a Medieval Scroll
Yes, this is a fun medieval project. You can either make your own paper or cut a piece of regular paper to shape then roll it into a scroll with a few basic supplies. I show you everything right here: Make a Medieval Scroll Good old
Paper Mache
Mix together Water, Flour and salt and you have paper mache. From there you just cut up paper into strips and the sky is the limit! You can make just about anything with it. I have made helmets, armor, pinatas and more. Check out my paper mache projects you can make right here: Paper Mache Projects
Draw or write on it!
And then of course you can simply use paper to write on or draw on!
I have lots of stuff about this too. A good example is my fantasy art school where I teach you various aspects of drawing fantasy figures and scenes. Check that out here: The Fantasy Art School
So... I have given you lots of ideas and tutorials on what you can make with paper. Go ahead and pick something. Have some fun with one of the simplest yet most useful things ever invented: paper! Oh, and Here are a few more projects you might want to take a look at. These are quirky and different paper projects.
Quirky Paper Projects
Make a Rolling Paper Theatre
Here's a fun and interesting project that has a tale to tell. It's the rolling paper theatre of whimsy and it can bring heroic stories to life. With a few simple materials you can make your own and tell your own tale. The rolling Paper Theatre of Whimsy
Make a Minas Tirith paper castle
This is a fun paper project that will take you a couple of hours. I have a complete download that you print up and make. It is a castle from The Lord of the Rings. Minas Tirith Paper Castle
Make a Zoetrope
A zoetrope is a fun little optical illusion project. You might even call it an animation project. You put a series of images inside a tube and spin the tube. Look through slots you made and the images become an animation. Fun and easy. And I give you the template with the animation ready to go. Make a Zoetrope
Make a Dragon Pinata
All it takes is a balloon, some paper mache and a little creativity and you have a great themed pinata. Add a sword and your party is transformed! How to Make a Dragon Pinata
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