7 great crafts ideas that repurpose old paper and books

If you're like most people, you probably hang onto way too many stacks of books you'll never read again and bundles of old papers that you no longer need.
Instead of letting these things clutter up every surface of your home, turn them into something useful and beautiful! These ideas are the perfect place to start.
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1. Vintage pinwheels (h/t What Meegan Makes)
You don't see many pinwheels these days, but they're a fun throwback, especially for a party! Kids will definitely have fun playing with them, but you might be surprised by how many adults love them as well.
2. Upcycled book jewelry box (h/t Sincerely, Kinsey)
This is the perfect project for when you find an old book with a pretty cover that you want to put on display. You don't necessarily have to use it to store jewelry — it would make a great little succulent display as well!
3. Decoupage coasters (h/t An Oregon Cottage)
These decoupage coasters are so easy to make — simply pick up an old set of coasters from the thrift store and use Mod Podge to decorate them with some pretty pieces of paper! This project would be even better if you used pages from your favorite book or sheet music from your favorite song.
4. Woven basket (h/t How About Orange)
If you've ever wanted to try making your own basket, why not start with this cute newspaper basket? It's a great way to upcycle old newspapers, and because the materials are free, you won't have to worry about messing up and needing to start again.
5. Decorative leaves (h/t Todolwen)
These pretty little decorative leaves could be incorporated into so many different things! They'd look great displayed on your mantle on their own, but you could also use incorporate them into a centerpiece or make them into a pretty garland.
6. Handmade paper (h/t Paper Slurry)
Making paper by hand might seem like too big of a project to tackle, but it's actually surprisingly simple! It's also a great way to use up ANY scraps of paper... it doesn't matter where they came from or what they look like.
7. DIY paper wreath (h/t Mellison)
This DIY paper wreath would be great for the holidays, but you could really put it on display at any time of year! If you're feeling extra-crafty, you could easily add a few extra decorations to make it suit the holiday or season.
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