Too much cardboard around the house? Well why not get creative and make a novelty sharpener! You would be surprised how strong cardboard can be and cardboard is 100% recyclable and reusable.

Supplies

- Cardboard
- Sharpener
- Scalpel / scissor
- Glue (PVA or Superglue)
- Cutting mat
- Coloured paper
- Ruler and a pencil

Step 1: Sketching and Planning

First start by sketching, experiment with basic shapes to create a form. Keep your design simple after all, our plans do change as we go. I went for a pirate themed character. I decided to place the sharpener in the head, not visible to the eye.

Step 2: Marking the Measurements

I then started out by planning the net for the different shapes, I have created a 3D net on PDF with measurements for the hat, head, body and the chamber for the sharpening. I began by marking out the dimensions on cardboard with a pencil,

Novelty_Sharpener_Net.pdf
Download

Step 3: Cutting

Using a sharp scalpel carefully cut out the cardboard nets, use a metal ruler for scoring the cardboard. For the head make natural triangular cuts to create a ridged look like a paper bag, to make the eye I placed some blue tack and drilled a hole through the cardboard. I left a gap in the “body” so the bin can be emptied easily.

Step 4: Assembly

Use some PVA or superglue to join the tabs together, use some masking tape to hold the tabs in place if necessary, join the hat In line with the head.

Step 5: Finished

After assembling the shapes, cut out some coloured paper to decorate the hat, head, bin and body. To create a pattern for the bin I used fish patterned origami craft paper to complement the pirate theme. You could always experiment and create different characters / designs. Have fun!