How to Make Recycled Paper Coasters

Create a drink coaster from recycled paper.

Combine recycled paper, dried flowers and pieces of thread and yarn to create beautiful coasters cut from handmade paper. This project is not complicated and would make a fun weekend craft activity for a group of youngsters. The resulting handmade paper coasters can be stacked in sets, tied with a ribbon and given as holiday gifts to teachers and grandparents. Challenge the youngsters to find most of the needed materials in the recycling bin, kitchen and backyard.

Things You'll Need

• Used white paper
• Scissors
• Bucket
• Warm water
• Strainer
• Craft-use blender
• Hot water
• 2 teaspoons liquid starch
• Picture frame, 8-inch by 10-inch
• Window screening
• Stapler
• Towel
• Dried flowers
• Thread
• Yarn
• Sponge
• Music CD
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Cut all the paper into 1-inch-square pieces.

2. Place the paper in the bucket. Fill the bucket with warm water and let the paper soak overnight.

3. Strain the water from the bucket and place 1 cup of paper in a blender used for crafts only. Fill the blender with very hot water and add liquid starch.

4. Blend paper, water and liquid starch on medium high until the resulting paper pulp is the consistency of oatmeal.

5. Remove glass and backing from picture frame. Cut window screening to fit, stretch it tightly and staple it to the back of the picture frame.

6. Place the frame over a towel.

7. Pick up the paper pulp with your hands and spread it on the screen. Add dried flowers and small pieces of thread and yarn.

8. Press the moisture from the pulp with the sponge.

9. Let the handmade paper dry for 24 hours.

10. Gently peel the paper from the screen.

11. Trace around the music CD with the pencil. Cut out the coaster with the scissors.

References

• Old Fashioned Living -- How to Make Handmade Paper