How to Design Your Own Pencil Case

Designing your own pencil case is a fun way to express your creative self, while making something that is colorful, practical and useful. By using basic, ordinary craft items found in your home, you can design a pencil case at little-to-no cost. Homemade pencil cases can make great gifts, are a great way to use recycled items and will help save you money.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Box or container of choice
• Pencils and pens
• Basic craft supplies such as scissors, glue, decorative paper
• Other decorations supplies such as markers, paints, stickers and miscellaneous embellishments

1. Determine the overall desired size and shape of your pencil case, making sure the case or holder is long enough and wide enough to fit a variety of pencils sizes and will fit into the desired place when stored.

2. 
    
   Pick your shape.

   Locate a case or holder for your pencils and pens. For an inexpensive idea, try using a clean, empty soup can or a oddly shaped box, such as a Velveeta cheese or other food item box. Be sure the container is clean, dry and crumb-free. If using a soup can, make sure the can is tall enough to prevent the pencils from becoming top-heavy and tipping over. Other container ideas could include an old cigar box, Pringles can, chocolate box or stationery box.

3. Assess the material from which your container is made. This will help you determine in what ways you can decorate your pencil case. For example, cardboard can be painted or covered with paper using a general purpose glue. Soup cans may require a stronger craft glue suitable for metal surfaces. In general, stickers should work on any surface. Craft paint pens work on a variety of surfaces, including paper, metal, plastic and glass.

4. 
    
   Cover your box.

   Cover container, if desired. Be sure to calculate the dimensions of your container to ensure a proper fit. Try a dry test run first by placing the container on the paper to see if the paper is large enough. Cover a box similarly to wrapping a present. Glue down one side at a time and trim off any excess edges.

5. Continue to embellish your container as desired. Try using items such as stickers, wrapping paper, contact paper, buttons, silk flowers, beads, wire or old jewelry. Certain embellishments may require a stronger craft glue, such as a tacky glue or hot glue gun.

6. 
    
   Add decoration.

   Wait for the glue to dry completely before using the pencil container.

Tips & Warnings

• Aleene's craft glue works well on a variety of surfaces. For extra protection, you can apply a coat of shellac, or basic craft glue that has been diluted with water.
• If using a hot glue gun, place glue gun on a heat-safe surface and handle safely. Be sure to unplug the cord when done.