When we used to live in Burbank, we would pass a boutique store carrying magazine bowls just like this one pictured above. We always liked the idea of having our own bowl made from the recycled pages of a magazine (but could never get on board with the $40 plus price tag). Yesterday we discovered A Little Hut's DIY version--what a great way to use up your old magazines that are collecting dust...
All you need for this How-To is a magazine (half of one makes a medium sized bowl) and a glue gun. Patricia starts the bowl out by making a tight roll with the first strip of folded magazine. She tells us that each strip she creates equals one magazine page.
You'll want to tear out a page in the magazine (Patricia says we don't have to worry about it being perfect). Fold the page in half so you're left with a rectangle. Match up the sides so they meet when folding and proceed to fold the page in half four times (until you're left with a strip that is about 1/2 inch wide).
Once your base is wide enough, start layering the strips further apart (Patricia suggests 3 to 4 mm). Because the glue dries quickly, work in small sections using only a thin line of glue.
Because you can make the bowl any size you like, the uses of the bowl are endless. Patricia uses hers as a landing spot for her keys but you could also use the bowl to hold fruit or electronics.
We also learned that A Little Hut is coming out with a book in August called Home, Paper, Scissors (a paper craft book). We're looking forward to it!--Thanks Patricia!
Related How-To Posts
[Images from A Little Hut]
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Cool!
view yesitisislandlove's profile
Check out www.craftster.org/forum. There are many cool magazine bowls (and more) there.
view stellato's profile
WOW very cool....If I have time I may try this out.
Jen Ramos
'Cards & Prints You'll Love...'
www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
view jenniferramos's profile
Coiled paper bowl: $16.00
http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/catalog/product.detail.php?product_id=8624
Coiled paper bowl: $8.00-$53.00
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=17568§ion_id=5587744
Set of 3 for $23.99 (unfortunately no longer available):
http://www.overstock.com/Worldstock/Handcrafted-Paper-Bowl-Set-India/2291248/product.html
I can't believe people still want these things... but they are available much less than $40.00. I also looked at Patricia Zapata's crafts, and most of them look a lot nicer than this, in addition to many other recycled paper craft projects I found on the web. I guess I just don't see why this particular thing caught on, out of all the things to want in your home, I guess it's the conspicuous recycling? The "I waste lots of paper because I won't give up my magazine indulgences, but it's ok, because I recycled it" look. I guess. I only posted bowls, but other items including placemats, vases, frames, and trash bins seem to be massively available in the recycled coiled magazine look. Some were even woven or twirled for a less ubiquitous look. I think this is the woven potholder of the current generation, but you do what you like.
I saw some that were a lot more expensive as well (and pretty sure none of the "fair trade" craftspeople in the Philippines or Brazil was taking home those profits for their labor, if you care about that sort of thing), but some really sharp-looking ones were dyed blue or red, made it look more interesting and less like a cliché.
view K T G's profile
I LOVE, LOVE this DIY!!
I'm a collage freak and would love to have something else to do with the stacks of magazines that I have yet to rip to shreds!
I have seen these bowls around and can't bring myself to pay the price tag...besides, much more fun to craft it!
Thanks!
e.
view aRtcHixX's profile