Etsy's Handmade Blog
How to Make a Box Out of Paper Scraps
Story by EtsyStore, saguirl
Published on September 24, 2007 in How-To

In this video, the Etsy Labs' crafter extraordinaire Mary shows you how to make a box out of scrap paper, in a few simple steps! It's an easy way to create boxes for holiday and birthday presents, make holders for those paper clip and rubber band collections on your desk, or organize all those little tchotchkes you've collected.

Tags boxes, contrary, Etsy Labs, holidays, How-To, HOW-TO, Mary, packaging, paper, Seller Handbook, tutorial, videos
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79 comments     Login to add your own! Share

Sept. 25, 2007 at 11 a.m. kelsyskookykrap

where can you get cool printed paper like that? those would make great boxes to put gifts in for christmas. great vid, thank you =]

Sept. 25, 2007 at 3:54 p.m. EtsyStore

You can print your own or use recycled papers around you house! Get creative!

Sept. 27, 2007 at 4:23 p.m. addition

Great vid! Easy and fun, I'm making a zillion. thanks Mary and Etsy

addition.etsy.com
additions for your walls

Sept. 27, 2007 at 9:11 p.m. addition

You could use origami paper
Ethnic newspapers
Magazine pages
takeout menus (if u live in NYC you get a million)
old photographs
collage a picture, copy it and use the copy
scribble something...

addition.etsy.com
additions for your walls

Sept. 30, 2007 at 1:21 p.m. nuovovita

Great vid! I just made 3 boxes from a 12 pack soda carton - they look really cool and they're sturdy enough ship inside a bubble mailer - thanks!

Sept. 30, 2007 at 4:43 p.m. themefragrance

I've been running around the house trying
all kinds of papers to make boxes with!
So much fun!

themefragrance.etsy.com

Oct. 5, 2007 at 12:49 p.m. ArtChiz

WoW!!!

I feel so powerful now!!!

I can make my own boxes!!

I never have pay for them, I can just make one for my projects!

Thank you Mary!!!

U ROCK!

love

Chiz :O)

Oct. 10, 2007 at 2:21 a.m. PicturesofLily

I love these boxes. I used double sided scrapbook paper, which is already a perfect 12x12 square. How cute are these, and so sturdy too. thanks so much.

Oct. 10, 2007 at 3 p.m. SimplySusan

This is fantastic! It actually works! Very cute. Now I have a new skill in my Craft Arsenal!
Thanks for this tutorial!

-susan

Oct. 14, 2007 at 7:44 a.m. letitiah

Love it! Thank you so much!

Oct. 14, 2007 at 11:43 p.m. fancy

can't wait to try this...thanks!

Oct. 17, 2007 at 4:54 p.m. dmriceart

Okay... Spent a bit of time with the video, and went off to create! I would like to say "Thanks so much for this!

Where do I send you a photo of what I created today? I would love to show you!

Because of this, I am going to be creating little boxes... like crazy!!!

Hugs...Debi dmriceart

Oct. 24, 2007 at 6:22 p.m. dazeychic

That was so much fun and I needed this tutorial so very badly! TY Mary! Oh and I took pictures!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/studiome...

xo's and smiles, shells

Oct. 29, 2007 at 6:07 a.m. oldehoff1

What quick and EASY instructions you made for us!! I tried to follow some "expert" on a DIY show, and lost her more than half way through. This is the 2nd video I have seen of yours! Maybe you could make a "show" for yourself!! LOL You certainly make it very easy to follow. THANKS, Kat

Nov. 4, 2007 at 2:52 p.m. traceystreasures

Man, I so wish my sound worked! No matter what I try, I can't get my sound to work :(
Ya'll have a lot of videos I want to watch!!

Nov. 16, 2007 at 2:51 p.m. KristinFriesen

this is so great! im going to experiment with different weights of paper until i get it just right, thanks so much for the pattern!

Nov. 23, 2007 at 4:33 p.m. pookeh

a little late to the party but THANK YOU! this is so awesome. i don't have to buy gift boxes every again, yay!

Nov. 30, 2007 at 7:57 p.m. strawberryanarchy

great tutorial and i found it on stumble upon! etsy has been in alot of stumbles which is good! im going to make one of these!

http://www.strawberryanarchy.etsy.com

Dec. 5, 2007 at 1:01 a.m. BEKAHknits

This is great! Thanks so much for making this tutorial. :D

Dec. 5, 2007 at 2:25 a.m. PauletteInsall

This is such a wonderful tutorial!!! I've made three already and I can't seem to stop! lol! A great use for all the scrapbooking paper that I can't seem to stop buying. ;) And using half of a piece of 12"x12" paper makes just the right size gift box for my mini art print pendants. Yea! :D

Dec. 5, 2007 at 10:03 a.m. Bijoudesign

Excellent tutorial! Seeing it on video makes it so much easier. :)

Dec. 5, 2007 at 1:38 p.m. anandi

You guys rock with your How-Tos! And you know us crafty people can't resist trying out a good technique :)

Dec. 22, 2007 at 2:04 p.m. abitabite

This is actually the oragami box I use to package my horns.

Here is your next challenge... how to use up all the tiny little triagles of felt i have!!

Dec. 22, 2007 at 2:10 p.m. abitabite

(i don't cut mine though... i should say)

Jan. 30, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. Keldune

This is a great and very helpful video! Thank you Mary
and thanks to pickypicky who put the link out recently.

March 9, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. VintageVacations

brill - many thanks for showing us how to box!

April 28, 2008 at 2:19 a.m. PamperMePlease

Wonderful!! So easy to follow...even with my sound off. The kids are sleeping. I just made an entire box wow. I am so excited about the possibilities of the uses for this skill!

April 28, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. DonnaCDesigns

Thnak you so much for the box instructons. This is great to personalize my jewlery instead of buying ready made boxes.

June 11, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. SHEZAREALGEM

This is an awesome idea! My husband is a printer so I will use his scraps and save myself a ton on boxes! Thanks!

June 12, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. tagisa

Wow! Great tutorial! I just bought boxes today too... When they are gone, I'll be making my own :) Thanks!

June 13, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. jamijewelry

wow, what an awesome idea!! i have all these paper bags from our whole foods store and i can use them for this! the first one turned out great! thanks again!

July 21, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. priscamonkie

this is really cool :D I made one out of a pottery barn teen magazine which turned out well but i think i'll use a different type of paper for the next one. :D

Aug. 8, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. emmylucy

I loved the video...another idea, why not use the cover of those glossy magazines that you used to wrap your handmade item? The cover stock is strong, colorful, and will be one of a kind.
Thanks,
emmylucy

Sept. 7, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. brownbunnybyiris

It was fun watching and I even know now how to fold a box. I have all sorts of paper I can use for that. Great x-mas idea for packaging!

Sept. 23, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. urbanBasement

I made the box along with the video. This is so great!

Sept. 30, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. deba822

A few years ago I went on a scrapbook frenzy. Now I know what to do with the huge stack of square paper I have!!!! Thank you!

Sept. 30, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. MFIPC

Thank you so much! Now I can make customized boxes to match my shop!! This is a real money saver. I really really appreciate this.

Thank you!

Oct. 3, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. warmhart

WOW! That was so much easier that I thought it would be. Thanks so much for sharing.

Oct. 4, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. FrontPorchEra

That is so cool! Now I can make customized boxes for the little items I sell in my shop and for the gifts I make for friends and family. Thanks so much for sharing!

Oct. 8, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. raisinlike

What an excellent tutorial! I am having so much fun with this.

Oct. 15, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. TheStrawberryGirl

oh my this is a great tutorial! i already made my first box!

Oct. 16, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. beachglassbaba

This was a great tutorial. Thank you!

Oct. 16, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. DianasPaintedDezigns

Thank you so much. I've been needing boxes and I can't really afford to buy them. This is great. Big hugs to you. Diana

Oct. 17, 2008 at 1:08 a.m. lisspopps

love it! so easy! thank you

Dec. 22, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. cocoachuchu

Thanks so much. I've been looking for a tutorial like this!!

Dec. 27, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. ClarkandDiversey

i DIG this a million times over since i'm on an everlasting hunt for recycled packaging! many thanks!

Feb. 21, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. circlesareforever

seriously this is my fave! thank you.

March 23, 2009 at 3:46 p.m. kellybellydesigns

I love love love this video, I was thinking of hot glue gunning a pretty piece of fabric inside for my jewelry gifts from my shop as a pretty internal and hot fixing some gems on the top of the box with a pretty satin bow...

April 5, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. annette1533

Thank-you soooo much for this!!! I made the perfect little box for my soon to come surprise monkeys.
Thanks Etsy

May 10, 2009 at 6:58 a.m. veryverdant

Oh, so cute. Great tutorial I can not wait to use this idea for gift giving! Thanks for sharing!

May 15, 2009 at 3:25 p.m. primaryjane

Great idea, the perfect solution to all those sheets of paper you just had to have, now they could be put to a good purpose instead of sitting in a dark closet.
Thank you Etsy

May 18, 2009 at 6:25 p.m. davita

Question: I love these boxes but for what I would use them for, I'd need rectangle shapes. Is there anyway to alter this pattern to make rectangle shaped ones?

July 8, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. PaperPetalCreations

Wow...this was so quick and easy. Thanks!

July 29, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. PlumCottageCreations

Yesterday I was inspired by email I had gotten from you there at ETsy, then I saw your wonderful little video on making boxes, and I could hardly get to sleep last night. This morning I used two programs to create colorful paper for the box, then made my first one and I was thrilled. I need a bit larger one also, but this got my creative juices going. The box really was a breeze to make. Thank you for this informative video. It was a joy to watch. I felt like I was right there with you, and the top of the pen flying off added to the fun atmosphere.

Lorraine ~ FlowerLady

Aug. 4, 2009 at 6:07 p.m. AlaskaTreasures

I like buying those bargain scrapbooking books of paper at places like Joann. They are always on sale, it seems like. They come in great big pads of all kinds of pretty paper or in small ones. I love this how to. Very cool.

Oct. 6, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. thehouseofhearts

This is an awesome video. I am going to make one tonight. Thanks Mary!

Oct. 30, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. lglas

Thanks so much for showing this! I took a class on how to make a different version, and really enjoyed this way to do it, as well. When my saved boxes run out, I will start making these for my small gifts.

Nov. 5, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. CathrynsDesigns

Amazing!! Just made my first paper box :) extremely happy about that haha :) thank you etsy!

Nov. 8, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. Pulguinha

Hi. I made my boxes from this wonderfull how to. Take a look http://www.flickr.com/photos/helena_r...

Nov. 9, 2009 at 5:15 p.m. SailmakersDaughter

I just love this. Brilliant. I have stuff to ship for a promotional pack for Etsy Ireland and I this box will be perfect!

Dec. 21, 2009 at 5:32 a.m. medievaldigger

I decoupeged the box and coated it with a poly, it was sturdy and beautiful!

Jan. 19, 2010 at 9:11 p.m. MaggieInTheMay

Thanks! Now I don't have to buy gift boxes anymore. Time to reuse those fashion magazines and mailers. :)

Jan. 19, 2010 at 9:20 p.m. ArtistaStyle

pretty awesome, thanks. Thinking i'll go and make a couple now.

Jan. 20, 2010 at 11:43 a.m. WrappedToPerfection

Delightful! Can't wait to try this... now I can make boxes that will coordinate with my projects or I can decide on a "signature" paper design to make boxes with. Love it!

Jan. 20, 2010 at 12:25 p.m. SilkMari

Great looking boxes...followed the demo and came out quite nice.

Great looking box...Pulguinha...very classy look.

Jan. 21, 2010 at 6:05 p.m. nobicollins

fantastic, I've tried to make box' before and couldn't, you made it so easy, thank you

Jan. 25, 2010 at 2:42 p.m. Imburton

Love it....and a good use for my paper pile that is just too pretty to recycle.

March 29, 2010 at 8:44 p.m. cherokeemoon

I'm new to Etsy and I have to say that I'm very impressed with you folks. Lots of Creative Ideas are shared and helping us artists get off the ground. I would never have guessed that I could make a box using scrap paper! I love this idea! Thanks Mary for showing us how to make this simple box.

April 17, 2010 at 5:19 p.m. abecrombie

This was great! I was trying to cover a box, no luck. I can make one now thanks to your wonderful tutorial. Etsy has so many wonderful people.I'm going right now to make boxes...Nice paper too!

July 20, 2010 at 4:27 p.m. emazz

Cute girl... but probably the longest, most complicated, frustrating, inaccurate way to make a box. IMO. :P Origami books have simpler/more accurate instructions. Don't intend to be a kill-joy. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Aug. 15, 2010 at 12:27 p.m. storytale

Love it Excellent Tutorial!

Aug. 26, 2010 at 2:28 p.m. Katriin

Thank you, I think it would be perfect to ship my goods in, handmade to the scratch!

Aug. 31, 2010 at 8 p.m. madebyciel

I'm so happy I saw this link from my twitter! Thank you. I embedded this tutorial video to my blog: http://sincerelyciel.blogspot.com/201...

I am so going to make them for my flower rings from my shop!http://www.etsy.com/listing/48924629/vintage-fabric-flower-ring

Aug. 31, 2010 at 8:04 p.m. madebyciel

BTW, is there another tutorial how to make a different size box like a 5x7x1? Just wondering, I would really love to make my own packaging materials. - Joy