I just started an online painting course and needed an easel to create my sure-to-be masterpieces. However, I did not want to invest in purchasing one in case my painting ability turned out to be more no-go than Van Gogh. In a pinch, I made this portable easel out of a cardboard box I had saved. It does the trick, and I didn鈥檛 spend a penny on it. Like my future paintings, it is priceless.

What you鈥檒l need:
A large cardboard box
Box cutter or scissors
Duct tape

1. Find a cardboard box that has sides that are larger than the paper you plan to paint on.听 I get weekly food delivery boxes, so I was happy to be able to reuse one for this project.

2. With box cutters or scissors, cut out two sides and one flap. Keep sharp objects away from little hands, so make sure the cutting is done by an adult.

3. Using duct tape, attach the short ends of the two box sides. Also attach one of the box sides to the flap with the duct tape.听

4. To finish the easel, tape the other side of the flap to the second box side to create a triangle. This easel is perfect for students doing distance learning who need a simple tool for their art projects.