Hanging In There: How to Make Hanging Ripple Planters with Paper

Lately, I’ve been attempting to reuse items that I already have in the house for DIY projects. In an effort to not go bankrupt buying craft supplies. And so when I came across a bunch of unused kraft boxes I had leftover from an old project, I figured I’d bring them downstairs and make something with ’em.

Eventually, I landed on hanging paper ripple planters.

The idea is that they look like crumpled pieces of paper / or mini sculptures. And while these were a little more difficult to photograph than I expected (the 3D aspect seems to get lost a little bit in the photos), these turned out to be one of my fave projects I’ve done lately. So naturally, I spent a few hours painting a backdrop for them to rest in front of, once the planters were ready to go. I’m a tiny bit crazy. Just let me be.

My sister-in-law gave me these awesome vintage craft books a while back and there were a handful of patterns in the back of one of them. So I picked the one that I was the least likely to ever use (mind you I don’t currently do any sewing anyway, so it doesn’t much matter at this point) and wrapped up the kraft boxes I had on hand to create these little guys…

Materials:

kraft boxes in various shapes and sizes
newspaper, old book pages, or patterns
hot glue
scissors
string

How To:

1. Start by tearing long strips of paper (these can be old book pages, construction paper, patterns, etc) in irregular widths. Just make sure each strip is slightly wider than the height of each box.

2. Remove the lids from the kraft boxes and hot glue each end of the string to the base of each box. One end of each side, to keep things balance.

3. Then add a long strip of hot glue to the outside of the box and attach one end of the torn strip of paper. Once secure, create another strip of glue 1-2 inches apart from the first. Then create a wave with the paper and attach the strip of paper to the second bead of glue. Continue this process all the way around the box.

Add a plant and it’s ready to hang. Air plants and succulents are the best options because they’re the lightest.

By the way… If you’re not into hanging the planters, you can just skip step 2 and rest the finished planter on any tabletop.

Concept, photography, and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff

When I have more time, I was thinking I’d try this with some painted strips of paper to added pops of color. Thinking ombre or colorful brushstroke patterns.

What do you think?