Use Leftover Egg Cartons To DIY Adorable Woodland Character Décor
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Woodland creatures have long been staples in nurseries and children's rooms, but forest animals like hedgehogs, foxes, and deer are popping up in cottagecore décor and are no longer confined to spaces for kids. And even if you don't prefer that cozy, nature-centric aesthetic, decorating with adorable animals adds a touch of playfulness to any living space, no matter your age. You can use an old egg carton to DIY cute woodland animal patio décor, or take it one step further to create entire fanciful characters simply by cutting up and painting egg cartons made of paper or cardboard. How cottagecore of you!
One advantage of repurposing leftover egg cartons is that they're readily available. If you're not already working through a carton of eggs, one of your neighbors or friends likely is and can pass along their container. They're also versatile and have use in the garden, as organization or storage, or can be transformed into creative home décor.
However, there are things you should always do before using egg cartons for home DIY projects. Because the cartons contained raw eggs, make sure to clean and sanitize them before use. Wipe off any dirt, then spray paper or cardboard cartons with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol.
Creating and decorating woodland characters
Once the carton is clean, decide what characters you'd like to make. In an instructional TikTok, @mummy_and_my_three makes a butterfly, ladybug, bee, and mushroom and strawberry creatures with serene expressions — all from an egg carton. She first cuts out the pieces, using the cones of the carton for the bodies, and the flat sections as wings and antennae. The cups that hold eggs can be turned over and used as an accessory, such as a hat. Paint the pieces white first to give yourself a blank canvas on which to add colorful details.
@mummy_and_my_three Ad Egg cartons, a handful of paint markers and a little imagination... 🦋🐝🍓🍄 Who knew an old egg carton could become a butterfly, bee, moth, ladybird, strawberry and even a tiny toadstool? ✨ These are such a fun recycled craft idea for kids and grownups alike I loved bringing each little woodland character to life using the Pentel Paint Markers The bright colours, fine details and smooth finish made them perfect for decorating every tiny wing, spot and stripe If you're looking for egg carton crafts, nature inspired crafts or easy recycled craft ideas to make this summer I hope these inspire your next creative afternoon🌿 Which one is your favourite... the butterfly, bee, moth, ladybird, strawberry or toadstool? 💛 I'd love to see what you create this summer using CraftYourSummer! @Pentel UK #whimsicalcrafts #RecycledCrafts #NatureCrafts #KidsCrafts
Acrylic paint, like brands Apple Barrel or FolkArt, is a crafter's favorite, with its vast color options, affordability, easy clean-up, and quick-drying abilities. Use a brush that can get into all the natural grooves of the egg carton. To decorate the pieces, use acrylic paint markers like dual-tip ones from Betem, which gives you a fine tip for details and a broader tip for filling in with color.
For textural variety, incorporate other craft supplies, like a round bead as a head or perhaps pipe cleaners for antennae. Embellish character wings with glitter or confetti. Once you have a crew of woodland creatures, glue them to popsicle sticks to use as puppets or attach them to yarn to hang as a mobile. Tuck them into the leaves of houseplants, or display them on the mantel alongside holiday decorations or other whimsical crafts like this pickle jar that's been transformed into a fairy house with clay, paint, and glue.