Challenge yourself to recycle those empty candy wrappers after Halloween or an afternoon sweet tooth binge. These craft projects will add decor to your home, help organize your purse and make note taking a lot more fun.
Candy Wrapper Clematis Flower
The candy wrappers suitable for this project are from individually wrapped hard candies, fruit chews or bubble gum. They are usually rectangular in shape and are perfect for forming flower petals. Make several clematis stems to create a bouquet, or wrap the stems among the leaves of silk vines.
Things You Will Need:
The following supplies will make one flower.
- Six rectangular-shaped candy wrappers
- Craft wire
- Ruler
- Wire cutters
- Pony bead
- Green floral tape
What To Do:
- Place one candy wrapper on your work surface with the wrong side facing up. From one short edge, fold over approximately 1/3 of the wrapper's length. The folded edge is the top edge. Fold in the corners of the top edge to create a point. The folded wrapper will resemble the beginning folds of a paper airplane.
- Place your thumb over the point of the wrapper with the tip of your thumb facing the bottom edge. Wrap the sides of the wrapper around your thumb. Tightly twist the wrapper below your thumb. Remove your thumb to reveal one completed petal. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for a total of five petals.
Forming the candy wrapper petals. - Cut a 9-inch length of craft wire for the stem. Insert one end through a pony bead. Bend over approximately one inch of the wire and twist below the bead. Lay another wrapper on your work surface with the wrong side facing up. Place the bead in the center of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper around the bead and tightly twist the wrapper around the stem.
Creating the flower center. - Begin wrapping green floral tape around the twist below the bead. Place one petal next to the bead and tape the petal around the twist with one wrap. Continue to add the remaining petals, one by one, until they are all securely attached to the stem.
Attach petals to center. - Continue wrapping the floral tape down the length of the stem to complete the flower.
Candy Wrapper Notepad Cover
Add a unique touch to dollar store note pads by adding a candy wrapper cover. This is a quick and inexpensive favor idea for a child's birthday party or stocking stuffers at Christmas.
Things You Will Need:
- Notepad
- Card stock
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Candy wrapper (slightly larger than the notepad)
- Mod Podge
- Sponge brush
- Craft glue
What To Do:
- Measure the width, length and thickness of your notepad. Cut a piece of card stock 1/2 inch wider than the notepad and 1/2 inch longer than the length and thickness.
- Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge on one side of the card stock using a sponge brush. Center a candy wrapper on the card stock. Using the edge of a ruler, smooth and work out any wrinkles in the surface. Trim the wrapper even with the edges of the card stock. This is your notepad cover.
Cover card stock with candy wrapper. - Lay the notepad face down on your work surface. Apply craft glue to the 1/2-inch section below the top edge of the notepad. Align the top edge of the cover 1/2 inch below the top edge of the notepad with the remainder of the cover extending above the notepad. Hold in place and allow the glue to set for a few minutes to adhere the cover and the back of the notepad together.
Attach the cover to the back. - Fold the cover to the front of the notepad. Trim the sides and bottom edges of the cover even with the edges of the notepad.
Candy Wrapper Change Pouch
Stop scrounging for loose change in the bottom of your purse. Made using duct tape and a wrapper from your favorite sweet treat, this change purse will keep your change corralled and easily accessible.
Things You Will Need:
- Designer duct tape
- Cutting mat
- Scissors
- Candy wrapper (4-inch by 8 1/4-inch or larger)
- Clear packing tape
- Craft knife
- 5/8-inch wide self-stick hook and loop tape
What To Do:
- Cut an 8 1/4-inch long piece of designer duct tape and place it on your cutting mat with the sticky side facing down. Cut another 8 1/4-inch length. Attach the pieces together by overlapping one long edge by 1/4 inch.
- Place your candy wrapper on your work surface with the wrong side facing up. Peel up the attached duct tape strips. Center the tape on the back of the wrapper. Trim away the excess wrapper. This is your pouch body.
Create the body. - Turn the pouch body over with the wrapper side facing up. Cover the wrapper with clear packing tape. Trim off excess tape.
- Measure the width of the pouch body. Cut a strip of duct tape 1/2 inch longer than that measurement. Using a craft knife, cut the width of the duct tape in half. Fold one half over one short edge of the body to seal. Repeat on the other short edge. Trim off the excess that extends from the sides.
- Place the body on your work surface with the duct tape side facing up. Fold one short edge up 3 1/2 inches to form the pouch. The short edge extending above the opening is the top of the body. Measure from the bottom fold to the top of the body. Cut a strip of duct tape 1/2 inch longer than that measurement. Cut the width of the duct tape in half. Seal the sides of the body in the same way as the short edges. Trim off the excess that extends from the ends.
Seal the edges. - Cut a 1-inch length of 5/8-inch-wide, self-stick, hook and loop tape. Fold the remaining top of the body down to create the flap. Insert the hook and loop tape between the flap and the pouch front.
Attach hook and loop closure.
Candy Wrapper Decoupage
Decoupage is a simple craft project that even children can handle. All you need is a surface to cover, fabric or paper, Mod Podge, and a foam paintbrush.
Martha Stewart suggests using candy wrappers to decoupage light switch covers. You could also apply the same decoupage technique along with your collection of candy wrappers to decorate a variety of surfaces, such as:
- Decoupage a wooden picture frame with colorful wrappers to make a memorable gift.
- Cover the front of a blank journal to create a fun place for writing notes.
- Revive an empty chip container with a decoupaged surface to make a spot for storing pencils or small office supplies.
- Decoupage candy wrappers onto a sturdy cardboard shoe box to make a decorative storage container.
If you're looking for a fun yet affordable way to decorate a child's room, consider taking the candy wrapper theme to the next level. Decoupage the edge of a large wall mirror, a trash can, and the top of an old garage sale table. Frame a collage made of candy wrappers, and you'll be sure to have a room that's every bit as sweet as your child.
Scrapbooking and Card Making Embellishments
If you enjoy scrapbooking and card making, candy wrappers can be used to make unique embellishments for your projects. Try out the following ideas:
- Collage a background of candy wrappers, then scan your artwork to make custom patterned paper for your layout.
- Fold a Starburst heart to use on a Valentine's Day scrapbook page or an "I Love You" greeting card.
- Decorate a project with sweet candy wrapper bows.
- Turn gum wrappers and an old button into a cute flower badge for your scrapbook page or handmade greeting card.
Wearable Crafts
T-shirts featuring vintage candy logos are popular casual wear for teens and young adults, but you can take the trend one step further by using candy wrappers to create your own clothing and accessories. Here are ideas for a few projects to try:
- Save your wrappers to create this adorable candy wrapper purse. This fun tutorial has several ideas to customize the finished purse. If you're looking for a one-of-kind handbag, this is definitely a project to consider.
- Gum wrapper chains have long been a favorite past-time and you can make them any length you choose.
- When you have mastered the gum wrapper chain technique, take your knowledge to the next step to craft this Starburst necklace or this Starburst bracelet.
- Craftster has a post from a very enterprising young crafter who made her prom dress entirely out of Skittles wrappers.
Tips for Successful Crafting
Regardless of what type of candy wrapper projects you choose to make, you'll have an easier time with it if you remember a few basic tips:
- Think about the portion of the candy wrapper that will actually be visible for your project. If the entire wrapper will show, choose your favorite brands and flavors, or one with a name that will complement your craft (such as Smarties for a graduation photo frame).
- If you'll only see portions of the wrapper choose different candies with coordinating colors.
- Practice first. If you're not familiar with the basic technique used in the project, whether it's decoupage or gum wrapper folding, practice with scratch paper or a few extra candy wrappers before you actually begin your project.
Cut the Calories
Creating crafts from candy wrappers doesn't mean you have to destroy your diet plan. Keep a container handy for your entire family to save empty wrappers in. When you are ready to tackle a project you will most likely have the wrappers you need without consuming more calories in one sitting.