What is one of the most used everyday materials? I think it’s got to be paper. It’s also one of the most and one of the oldest recycled materials in the world. But that’s recycling and on this blog, it’s about upcycling.
And yes, you can also upcycle paper into a great design. Two designs that show the strength and beauty of old magazines are Magazine Bag and Sofa Away. You wouldn’t think that they are made out of paper.
Create your own basket of light
If you’re like me, you must be inspired to upcycle paper yourself. That’s why I’m a great fan of DIYs and was very happy when I found another amazing tutorial on how to upcycle newspapers into a lampshade.
The upcycle design Basket Lampshade is entirely made out of paper, both newspaper and cardboard. The design and clearly written DIY tutorial are by Alt trifft Neu [translated: Old meets New]. This blog is founded by Stefanie, living in Berlin | Germany. Alt trifft Neu is a very creative blog with, according to Stefanie, ‘information, ideas and suggestions about the topic of Upcycling, DIY and what makes the world even more colorful and beautiful, but also critically challenged …’.
She created this Basket Lamp using a simple braiding technique, so it is possible for everyone to create this lamp by themselves using her tutorial. One could also simply braid a basket and use it as a bin for used paper. You need the following simple materials and tools for this upcycling lampshade: several used newspapers, an old cardboard box, cutter or scissors, glue, wooden sticks, lamp holder. Important: You should use a LED bulb, which is not hot because your working with paper.
Stefanie:
“Upcycling is for me an ecological sustainability idea with the aim of producing no garbage and giving objects and materials by creativity a second life a prolonged period of use. Each product is intended to convey a message to our Disposable Society.”
Photos © Alt trifft Neu
The tutorial [view site in Chrome browser for translation] is inspiring and at the same time instructive. Really hope you’re having a go at this yourself because it’s so great to enjoy things that you have made yourself. A basket of light doesn’t cost much, just effort!
Hi!
Wonderful idea :). But the tutorial is not available anymore. Is it possible to find it somewhere? I’d like to make one 🙂
Glad you like it. Too bad that her website is offline. Really hope the website will come back soon.