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Paper folding project - DIY desktop tidies

Freshen up your workspace with Suzie Attaway’s DIY desktop tidies, inspired by Esther Curtis's 'The Artist's Studio' paper collection

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Suzie Attaway

Published: September 28, 2023 at 2:08 pm

Whether you’re a paper-folding newbie or an origami queen, get set up for success with this easy paper folding project.

We’re big fans of dynamic shapes so we’ve created these gorgeous geometric pots that are perfect for sorting your office or workstation.

They’re great for giving a home to all those small things that make crafting possible – from pencils to scissors and paintbrushes. You could even use the DIY desk tidies to hold a posy of flowers.

We’ve given one example of the potential size, but you're free to scale it up and adapt the project as you need!

We've used Esther Curtis's inspired papers from the Artist’s Studio Collection to create our desktop tidies, which you can download for free on Gathered. We love the Back to School theme and vibrant colours – ideal to spruce up any desk!

These pots are so simple to make.

Just print off our template, choose your paper, cut, fold and glue!

And now, for the details:

What you need to create these desktop tidies

160gsm coloured paper
Ruler
Pencil
Craft knife or Scissors
Glue
Template (you'll need to print this template at 150%)

DIY paper pen pot - materials

How to fold your origami desktop tidies

You will need:

coloured paper
Ruler
Pencil
Craft knife or scissors
Glue

Step 1

Tracing the template

step 1 desktop tidies

Enlarge the template to your desired size and print on paper. You may need to stick sheets of paper together to make a larger polyhedron pot.

Cut out the template, and place it on the paper.

Draw around the template with a pencil and ruler.

Step 2

step 2 desktop tidy

Remove the template and use it as a guide to draw the lines that form the triangles and tabs onto the coloured paper with a pencil and ruler.

Step 3

Now it’s time to cut out your desk tidy!

step 3 desktop tidy

Carefully cut around the outline, including the ends of the tabs, with a craft knife or scissors and ruler.

Step 4

Score the pencil lines as shown as the dotted lines on the template using the blunt side of the craft knife.

Step 5

Let’s get folding

DIY paper pen pot – step 1

Fold the triangles and tabs, making neat, sharp creases, ready for assembly.

Looking for more paper folding fun?

Check out our free papercraft project section here on Gathered.

Step 6

How to assemble your desktop tidies

DIY paper pen pot – step 3a DIY paper pen pot – step 3c

Working on one tab at a time, apply a little glue and stick to the adjacent triangle. Hold for a few minutes, and then move on to the next tab.

Step 7

DIY paper pen pot – step 2b

The polyhedron will soon begin to take shape. Continue until all the tabs are stuck, and a triangular hole is left on one side.

Step 8

Your desktop tidies are now complete!

DIY paper pen pot square

And that’s it, your DIY desktop tidies are finished!

Create polyhedron pots in different sizes and colours, and allow them to completely dry before using.

Keep your desk tidy with paper and glue

These easy desktop tidies are a brilliant, easy craft project that will help you keep your space clean and clutter-free. They look pretty cute too!

Experiment with size, colours and patterns to create your own unique designs. Once you’ve mastered the technique you can make these little desktop tidies for the little ones.

Create more unique projects with free downloadable papers

Did you fall in love with the papers we’ve used in this tutorial?

Download Esther Curtis’s Artist’s Studio Paper Collection to experiment with even more colourful designs on Gathered.

Preview of ‘The Artist’s Studio Paper Collection’ designs by Esther Curtis

Craft & Home Stylist

Craft and home stylist Suzie Attaway is obsessed with colour and pattern. She’s also a keen treasure hunter, and in her spare time loves to scour junk shops, auction houses and car boot sales. You can see her papercraft creations over at https://suzieattawayhomestylist.com/ and @craftpropstylist on Instagram