Plain walls are always the worst part about moving into a new space, particularly if your art friends are too busy to make lavish paintings to adorn the space for you.
But whether you are switching apartments or getting used to a new dorm, you can make your own simple decorations to brighten up the space.
This is an easy project that uses books to make fan decorations for your walls or ceiling.
Check out the book section of Goodwill for lots of inexpensive books in all shapes and sizes (hardcover books might be easier to work with because their glue and bindings are stronger than softcovers.) You will also need cording, ribbon, or any kind of string (which you might also find at Goodwill in the housewares section) glue and duct tape.
1. First slice your book into thin strips. J There are many ways to do this. I always go for power tools first and used a miter saw (because who doesn’t want to try running a saw blade through a hardcover) but if you don’t have access to power tools (first try asking your sculpture or woodworking friends, or better yet, make new friends in those departments) you could also cut your book with an X-ACTO knife and ruler, or maybe even try using a jewelers saw (I haven’t tried this one, but it might work if you clamped the book shut first).
2. Once you’ve slashed your book, remove the hard cover and you will be left with narrow, floppy booklets that are still bound on one side.
3. Splay the pages into a fan and tape with duct tape as you go to keep the pages in place. Leave one page free, fold it in half (glue to secure) and turn it into a loop at the base of the fan. Glue and tape to secure.
4. Next thread rope through one of the loops and tie a knot, string the next fan onto your rope and secure it with a knot. Continue until you have strung all of your fans.
5. Now use small pins or thumbtacks to secure the ropes to your wall.
6. If you want to suspend fans from your ceiling, tape two fans back to back, so they will look great from any angle. Then use small eyehooks or nails to suspend your garlands from the ceiling.
With this project, the more the better, so stock up on interesting books from Goodwill so you can make lots of fans to fill up your new space!
