The crafty me: Pen holder

This is really a longish exercise. Really to do on a dull weekend or if you really really want a handmade penholder. But a great activity to do with kids :)

You will need:
Newspaper - tear small strips around 4-6 inches long and 1 inch wide
Water
Glue
Plastic cup the size of the pen holder - this will be your mould
Vaseline
Acrylic paints
Brushes

How to:
Dip the newspaper strips in water and leave for a few hours.
Rub a little vaseline on the outside of the plastic cup. This avoids the paper sticking to the mold.
Cover the outside of the plastic cup with one layer of newspaper strips.
Spread a layer of glue on this layer and cover with another layer of strips.
Put the strips overlapping each other and in a criss cross manner for them to hold better.
Repeat this process 10-15 times and leave it to dry in shade for a 1-2 days.
When the paper is dry take out the plastic cup. The inside will still be a little wet. Cover any stray strips of paper with more glue.
Glue a cardboard round to the inside base of the holder to give it more stability and leave to dry for another day.
The top edge of the pen holder will be a little rough, cut it with scissors to even it out. The holder is now ready for you to paint in any color and pattern