Got no idea what to do with your empty pizza boxes?
You can use them for a DIY craft project like this decorative Vardo Wagon. Of course, you must use the clean and ungreased parts of the box or at least wipe them clean.
This way, you can help reduce waste in your bin from last night’s pizza party with family and friends.
First, cut out the base structure of your wagon.
This includes the walls, roof, and floor or bottom of your wagon.
You can create patterns on a piece of paper first before transferring and cutting the patterns on the cardboard. Then, glue them together using hot glue.
Next, draw windows and doors on the sides where they should be.
Cut out the parts to create that opening. Then, cut out thin strips of cardboard and glue them on the surface of your base.
This will give a bit of texture to your wagon, making it look like it is made of wood or that the roof is either thatched or shingled.
You can also cut other wagon parts out of the cardboard to add accents.
Search for a model Vardo wagon that you like. You can see how it has so many accents like the porch brackets, weatherboards, waist boards, footboards, etc.
Now it’s time to make the wheels.
Trace out four circles with the center cut out. One wheel would need all four circles to be glued together, so you need sixteen circles in total.
After gluing them together, create the wheel’s hub by cutting strips of cardboard and rolling them. Make sure that the wheel’s boxing is big enough for a paper straw to pass through.
Cut out a paper straw to create spokes for the wheels.
Place them accordingly and apply super glue on each end of the spokes. Then roll a strip of cardboard on the surfaces of the tires as if it’s a flat steel tire.
Insert a paper straw between two wheels and attach them to your wagon.
Continue adding other parts of the wagon like doors and windows.
This wagon, for example, has a chest attached to its back. It also has a door that you can open and close, and steps leading to the front porch.
At this point, it’s really all up to your creativity on what other accents you want to add to your wagon.
Now for the fun part. It’s time to paint your wagon.
Again, you can look for a design that you want to follow. It’s all up to you.
For this project, you can use watercolor or acrylic paint for a more vibrant outcome. You can mix and match different color schemes that you like.
In this video, they included some colors to add a more rugged look as if the wagon has traveled far.
Lastly, let it dry until it’s ready to be on display.
You can add other materials from your craft box that might look good in your overall design. For example, a little touch of gold glitter for the chest’s keyhole or silver ones for chains and shackles. Sky’s the limit.
Get full visuals on the process in the video tutorial below!
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