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How to Make a Box Using Cardboard and Papier-Mache

Making a decorative box or even a functional one for light use can be fun. The papier-mache process allows you the ability to create boxes whenever you want, provided you have disposable paper products on hand. Add water, a cube-like mold and some table space and you will have all you need to get started.

Things You'll Need

  • Nonporous or plastic box or cube to serve as a mold
  • Plain cardboard box (optional)
  • Newspaper
  • Cardboard
  • Large container filled with water
  • Flour (optional)
  • Paint or decorations
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find a cube-like mold. You will apply a papier-mache mixture around it. Use a cubical structure that the papier-mache mixture will not permanently adhere to, such as one made of a plastic or nonporous material. Or you may use a plain cardboard box instead of a mold if you don't mind it becoming part of the papier-mache creation.

    • 2

      Tear cardboard and newspaper---or any other paper product---into tiny strips. Soak the strips in water until you have a pulp-like mixture. You may add flour as an additional adhesive to help the mixture hold together.

    • 3

      Apply the mixture to your cubical structure mold or cardboard box.

    • 4

      Allow the papier-mache to dry completely. This process may take several days.

    • 5

      Remove the dried papier-mache box from the cubical structure mold. If you used the plain cardboard box, it is ready when dry.

    • 6

      Paint or decorate the papier-mache box as desired.

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