Explorations in Trash Art: Weaving Paper Discards

Date of Workshop: March 14, 2026

Time of Workshop: 10:00-4:00

Location: King of Peace Church

Member Fee $70

Non-Member Fee $90

Description:

In Part 1 of this workshop, you will learn the basic under/over weaving pattern to make a bookmark and earrings out of strips of recycled cardstock “rack” cards and add embellishments such as beads, buttons, yarn, embroidery floss, etc. Estimated time: 2 hrs.

In Part 2, You will decorate a corrugated cardboard box with acrylic paint, pastels, crayons, marking pens or other art medium. Let dry, spray with mat or clear finish and then cut into strips. You will design a basket, box, container by weaving the strips of cardboard like you did to make your bookmark. Estimated time: 3.5 hrs.

The class: This will sound backward but we will start the day with Part 2! We will be decorating (surface design work, painting, etc.) your corrugated cardboard box. After you’re finished with the painting and mark making. Let it dry and then spray with a clear or mat finish. Set it aside.

Then we’ll go to Part 1 where everyone will choose their colors (the postcard) for their bookmark(s) and then shred the cards into strips. Everyone will learn the basic over/under weave and twining to finish the edges. Bookmarks can be made to any size. 

After weaving is completed, you will spray your bookmark with fixative and when dry, can embellish with beads, bottle caps, pull tabs, embroidery floss, etc.

Materials Students are Expected to Bring:

Box cutters AND scissors 

Oil Pastels, other art supplies, found materials you’d want to use to embellish.

Paint brushes if you desire to paint the cardboard   Recommended are oil pastels, markers or crayons so no water required.

Materials Provided by Teacher:

For Bookmarks: several postcard designs to choose from, beads, buttons, plastic bottle caps and other junk plastic items, pull tabs, embroidery floss. Plastic needles. Plastic beads, pull tabs, clear gloss and matte acrylic spray.

For Earrings: silver tone and gold plated findings for two pairs of pierced earrings

For Cardboard Basket: large corrugated cardboard moving or appliance boxes, acrylic paints (primary colors), markers, crayons and various shades of nail polish and yarn will be provided. Clear gloss or matte acrylic spray.