Juice Carton Baskets

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-1035 -- More Projects »
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An empty fruit juice carton and three plastic grocery bags are used to make these colorful baskets.
Designer Tiffany Threadgould demonstrates a clever way to turn juice cartons into colorful baskets.

Materials:

large juice carton, cleaned thoroughly
spray paint
decorative paper (optional)
scissors
three plastic grocery bags
hole punch
gift-wrap ribbon

Steps:


  1. Clean out the inside of a large juice carton with soap and water and then paint it with spray paint. Another idea is to cover it with decorative paper.
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Figure A
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Figure B
  • Cut off the top of the container, then cut down the four corners to the base (figure A).

  • Flatten out the panels. Cut each panel into five even strips, stopping short of the base (figure B).

  • Lay three plastic grocery bags on top of each other so they are lined up. Cut them into strips that are two to three inches wide.
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    Figure C
  • Take one of the strips and fold it in half. Slip the plastic strip over the second carton spoke on one side and adjust it so you have two equal legs (figure C).

  • Working with the left leg of the strip, weave the leg in front of the second spoke and behind the third spoke, bringing it back to the center. It is now the right leg.

  • Now take the other leg and weave it in front of the spoke and behind the next one, bringing it back to center. It will now be the right leg.
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    Figure D
  • Continue picking up the left leg and weaving it in front and behind the next two spokes, working your way around the carton. When you come to the end of a plastic strip, just tie on another one (figure D). Weave half way up the carton with the plastic strips.
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    Figure E
  • To finish off the basket, take the spokes that are still sticking up, and bend them in half (figure E). Fold them back up and make a hole punch just under the bend. This ensures that all the holes are even around the basket.

  • Fold the spoke back down and tuck the end into the woven area. Use the hole punch to make another hole in the second side of the bent spoke that lines up with the first one.

  • Measure enough gift-wrap ribbon to go around the circumference of the basket twice. Insert one end of the ribbon through a spoke hole and make a knot on the end on the inside of the basket to keep it in place. Weave the ribbon through the holes all the way around.
  • Guests
    Tiffany Threadgould
    Designer, Tiffany Tomato Designs
    539 S. 5th Ave., Studio 1
    Ann Arbor, MI 48104
    Phone: 734-DIP-STIX (347-7849)
    Fax: 509-357-2376
    E-mail: tiffanytomato@yahoo.com
    Website: www.tiffanytomato.com
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