Make Boxy Stuff Out of Obsolete Business Cards!

For this Instructable, I will teach you to use obsolete business cards as a versatile construction set. You can make everything from a single small box, to various Tetris pieces and even a gigantic Menger sponge. No glue or cutting needed, just simple folding!

You will likely get into trouble if you use current business cards from your employer, but instead consider doing as I did several years ago: when my then ex-employer was about to move to a new office, I asked people to give me their outdated business cards (which would otherwise be discarded) so I could use them to build things! I now have a stockpile of thousands of cards to build with!

Supplies

Obsolete business cards (please don't use new ones!)

Step 1: Assemble a Basic Cube!

Each uncovered cube consists of six business cards, plus an additional six to cover the outsides. Take a pair of cards, lay across each other with the print side together, making a plus sign. Press and fold down the edges to make two cards shaped like a "[". Repeat this until you have six cards with folded sides.

Assemble the six faces together, using the folded sides to "hug" the sides of the others. The construction will be loose until the last card is slid in, holding everything in place. No glue necessary!

To finish an exterior face, fold up an additional "[" cards and then anchor it to the tabs on one side. On the other side, give the tabs "dog ears" to make the next step easier. Now "tuck" the loose edge into the tabs. If you have difficulties with this step, you can slightly crease or curve the edge to help guide it in during the tuck. Using business cards with thinner stock can also help in this step.

Step 2: Connect Cubes to Build Complex Shapes

Two assembled cubes can be connected by locking together the tabs on uncovered cube faces, but this is rather difficult to execute properly.

The alternative is simply to build a cube onto an existing cube, by adding six cards, in the same basic sequence as you would build a basic cube. I prefer the latter method, as I find much it easier to execute (it is even easier than building the first cube, because the first cube holds everything in place!)

Step 3: Have Fun With It!

Invite your cat! Cats love boxes, cats adore Menger sponges! Make a life sized Tetris pieces or build a home for fuzzy creatures or miniature figurines!

The choice is yours, think outside the box!

Inspiration:

Thank you to Dr. Jeannine Mosely and her HUMONGOUS Menger Sponge for making me aware of the technique and inspiring me to make my own! You are my hero!