Description:

Can you believe this napkin holder is made completely out of cardboard? It’s a fun eco-friendly craft that also works great as home decor!

Materials Needed

1. Cardboard

2. Acrylic Paints

3. Gesso

4. Varnish

5. School Glue

6. Glue Gun

7. Waste Paper Strips

8. Paint Brushes

Below are my Amazon Affiliate links. If you buy any of the above materials through the following links I will earn a small commission for NO extra cost to you! Thanks for your support!

Apple Barrel Acrylic paints 2oz. Bottles

https://amzn.to/4mZV8JP

Decoart Metallic acrylic Paints

https://amzn.to/3HvNff3

Gesso

https://amzn.to/3HwJQwB

Paint Brushes (round)

https://amzn.to/3ZXMXUr

Paint Brushes Flat

https://amzn.to/4n0zLIu

Liquitex Varnish

https://amzn.to/4neBI4i

Backstory:

As usual, I was on the lookout for a new cardboard craft idea for my YouTube channel. While browsing online, I came across some decorative napkin holders and other wooden crafts that caught my eye. These are the types I love to recreate using cardboard. One design that really stood out was a wooden duck-shaped napkin holder. I absolutely loved it and knew I had to try making my own version with cardboard. If you prefer the wooden look, you can totally paint it that way, but I went for a realistic Mallard style instead!

My Inspiration:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/376269940833

For the video tutorial, click on the video below

Step-By-Step Written Instructions For The Napkin Holder DIY

1. I drew a duck on the cardboard and cut it out. I cut out three ducks out of cardboard.

2. Stuck three pieces to get one sturdy piece.

3. Next I cut out six pieces for two plants. Then stuck three pieces together for each plant.

4. Next I made a rectangular base. I cut out three pieces. I divided the top rectangle in parts so Duck and plants can be placed at the same distance from all the sides and corners of the rectangle.

In the above photo the cardboard rectangle is 8″ by 5″. Lines are drawn 1.25″ from the long edge and 2.5″ from shorter edges. The center rectangle is 3″ by 2.5″

5. Next I made marks at 1/8th inch on 3″ side of the center rectangle and placed the duck between the marks.

6. The base of the duck measures 2.75″. After placing duck drew rectangle around the base of the duck.

7. Cut out the rectangle with x-acto knife.

8. Next I placed the plants behind the duck and drew rectangles by tracing around the base of plants and cut the rectangles out the same way as above.

9. Once the slits were cut, duck and plants were stuck in the slits.

10. Next Cover all the rough edges of cardboard with paper strips and glue. Used brown packaging paper I got with Amazon package. Strips cut out of brown lunch bags can also be used. After the edges were covered this is how it looks.

11. After the structure dries, apply two coats of Gesso.

12. After the Gesso dried, drew guide lines on the duck to make painting easier. It’s kind of like color by number figure.

13. Finally painted the structure with acrylic paints and when paints dried applied varnish on it. This is how it looks.

Final Note:

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