Empty paper towel rolls are some of the most versatile craft materials out there – and the good news is that they’re free and very easy to come by. So instead of throwing out your empty paper towel rolls, use them for your craft projects. Here, we rounded up two very easy DIY ideas to help you get started.
Towel Roll Cuff
Want an accessory to spruce up your attire? Well, then it’s time to put your empty paper towel rolls to good use. Here are the materials you will need:
- An empty toilet paper or paper towel roll
- Glue (or any adhesive)
- Paint, fabric, ribbons, or other embellishments of your choice
- Scissors or cutter
Start by measuring out how long you want your cuff to be. With scissors or a cutter, cut out the excess part of the roll. Cut a slit along the length of the roll. Insert your arm into the roll to see if it fits. If it is too small, cut a few millimeters off the roll’s side, along the slit. Be careful not to cut off too much, otherwise your cuff will fall off your arm. Now that you have the cuff’s base, it’s time to decorate.
The design is really up to you. For starters, you can paint the cuff with a metallic color and glue some embellishments on it for a classy accessory. If you want something more casual, you can wrap the cuff with discarded fabric and add in some ribbons or beads. Make your cuff as simple or as crazy as you want! Better yet, make several ones to go along with different outfits.
Towel Roll Caddy
Another useful DIY idea which makes use of empty paper towel rolls is this: your very own desktop organizer/caddy. The only things you will need are as follows:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Glue (or any adhesive)
- Cardboard
- Scissors or cutter
- Paint, craft paper, gift wrapper, or other design materials you can find around the house
Start by cutting the empty paper towel rolls into different lengths. To determine the right length, hold the roll against the item you intend to put inside the caddy (e.g. a pen or a paintbrush). The tube should not be longer than the item you are putting inside; otherwise, you will have a hard time getting its contents. Once you’ve cut the rolls into desired lengths, start decorating. You can paint the rolls or wrap the, with gift wrapper or even discarded fabric. Be creative.
Once you’ve finished designing the tubes, start gluing them to each other to create an organizer with several compartments. Add adhesive to the bottom of the rolls and glue it to a cardboard. Press down the tubes to make sure that they adhere completely to the cardboard base. Allow to dry. Your desktop organizer is now ready to hold your pens and markers!
These are only two of the myriad things you can make using empty paper towel rolls. Let your imagination roam and use those empty paper towel rolls to good use.