One of the most popular projects we’ve featured on DSC is about making a nuts and bolts chess set.  However, some of you  were discouraged when you priced out all of the bits and realized that unless you have an awesome source for hardware bobbles, the project budget can get a little steep (at least in our super-frugal terms).  If you’re hooked on the idea of a handmade chess set but don’t have the cash to shell out on washers and threaded rods, here’s an alternative idea guaranteed to cost next to nil.  Jeromina from Paper, Plate, and Plane made a chess set for her sweetie out of rolled paper!  Her post includes detailed diagram photos showing the dimensions of each individual piece of paper and how to assemble them into the finished pieces.  Can you say “awesome?”  [how to make a rolled paper chess set]

Project estimate:

  • Paper, on hand or $1 and up
  • Mod Podge, on hand

Total:  Free and up