How to Make a Toy Car of Kleenex & Wires

Facial tissue makes for an unexpected construction material.

As any seasoned artisan knows, one of the most interesting and rewarding challenges to making handicrafts is that of working with new and unexpected materials. As enjoyable as it is to create an interesting or attractive decoration on your own, it's even more satisfying to see the incredulous looks on the faces of friends and family members when you explain to them what the item is made from. To this end, try creating a most unusual model car, one made of Kleenex facial tissue and crafting wire.

Things You'll Need

• Thick craft wire
• Needle-nosed pliers
• Craft wire snips
• Kleenex (or other facial tissue)
• White craft glue
• Bowl
• Wire whisk

Instructions

1. Create the sides of the wire frame. Make two identical half-oval shapes, each about 3 inches high and 6 inches across. Form these into the sides of the car frame by bending down the curved side to meet the flat edge of the oval in two places, forming the shape of a car's silhouette (i.e., bend up from the hood to the cabin, then back down to the trunk in the back).

2. Finish the frame by linking the first two pieces together. Use six 3-inch strips of wire, wrapping their tips around the frame. Space them out around the outside of the frame. When finished, you'll have a three-dimensional wire frame of a car cabin.

3. Make four circles with wire, each about an inch to an inch and a half across, making all of the circles the same size. Stretch two short, straight pieces of wire across each circle to form a cross in the center, wrapping the ends of the cross pieces at the edge of each circle. Use the center of these cross pieces to attach the wheels to the bottom of the car's frame.

4. Mix a solution of one part white glue, one part water. Stir with a fork or wire whisk to fully mix the glue into the water.

5. Soak pieces of Kleenex in the glue solution and use them to coat the wire frame. Start with just one coat of Kleenex strips, stretching them across the frame. Let dry (this should take a couple hours), then do the wheels. After those have dried, add another layer and let this dry. Continue until you've added between four and seven layers of tissue; it will dry hard and stiff.

6. Paint the finished car. Use acrylic, tempera or poster paints.

References

• "The Big-Ass Book of Crafts;" Mark Montano and Auxy Espinoza; 2008