Introduction: Gum Wrapper Bed
How to create a small bed entirely from Gum Wrappers - sweet dreams!
This 'ible will show you how to make a bed using only gum wrappers. No glue or tape is used. No scissors or other sharp objects either. Come to think of it, this is a nice safe activity, in addition to being environmentally friendly.
For this project you will need.
3 big foil pack wrappers from the 15 stick pack gum (I use Wrigley's Extra - if I keep plugging them, maybe they'll give me some free gum!)
27 of the wrappers off the sticks of gum.
I know, that's a lot of wrappers. If you don't have enough of your own, have you're friends save their wrappers for you. Just make sure they're clean. Oh, the 15 packs - don't just rip it open using that little tab. Carefully unfold the foil so it comes off in a complete rectangle with no rips. You want you bed to look nice, don't you?
Here is a video showing a 360 degree view of the bed.
This 'ible will show you how to make a bed using only gum wrappers. No glue or tape is used. No scissors or other sharp objects either. Come to think of it, this is a nice safe activity, in addition to being environmentally friendly.
For this project you will need.
3 big foil pack wrappers from the 15 stick pack gum (I use Wrigley's Extra - if I keep plugging them, maybe they'll give me some free gum!)
27 of the wrappers off the sticks of gum.
I know, that's a lot of wrappers. If you don't have enough of your own, have you're friends save their wrappers for you. Just make sure they're clean. Oh, the 15 packs - don't just rip it open using that little tab. Carefully unfold the foil so it comes off in a complete rectangle with no rips. You want you bed to look nice, don't you?
Here is a video showing a 360 degree view of the bed.
Step 1: Make a Pillow
I'll start off describing how to make the pillow.
You'll need two (2) wrappers.
Unfold them all the way and flatten them. Fold them in half, end to end, so that they are half the length to start with (1 1/2 inch)
I folded mine so that the shiny side was on the inside. This gives the pillow that dull white look. It stands out from the bed which is silver and shiny.
Fold each side toward the middle about 1/8th of an inch. Then repeat the fold again. This will make a seam down each side making a little pouch. Flatten the seams to they are tight and won't come loose easily.
Inflate each of the pouches by gently blowing into them (another reason you want clean wrappers). They should puff up quite nicely, having a closed end, folded sides, and an open end. Simply slide one pouch inside of the other - using the open end of one to slide into the other. This will make a pillow about 1 1/2 inches long and about an inch wide.
One of the halves will be slightly larger than the other unless you're very exact in your folds. Use the smaller to insert into the larger one.
You'll need two (2) wrappers.
Unfold them all the way and flatten them. Fold them in half, end to end, so that they are half the length to start with (1 1/2 inch)
I folded mine so that the shiny side was on the inside. This gives the pillow that dull white look. It stands out from the bed which is silver and shiny.
Fold each side toward the middle about 1/8th of an inch. Then repeat the fold again. This will make a seam down each side making a little pouch. Flatten the seams to they are tight and won't come loose easily.
Inflate each of the pouches by gently blowing into them (another reason you want clean wrappers). They should puff up quite nicely, having a closed end, folded sides, and an open end. Simply slide one pouch inside of the other - using the open end of one to slide into the other. This will make a pillow about 1 1/2 inches long and about an inch wide.
One of the halves will be slightly larger than the other unless you're very exact in your folds. Use the smaller to insert into the larger one.
Step 2: Make the Headboard
Next we'll make the headboard.
To make this part you will need some sticks. You will need four sticks for the headboard. You can make a couple extra for the footboard as well.
Here are the instructions for creating a stick.
Here are more instructables that have detailed steps on creating a stick.
footstool
swing set
Create 4 Half sticks.
Follow the same process as the full length sticks, but first fold the wrapper end-to-end in half. This will make the sticks a little fatter and about 1 5/8 inches long.
These will be used for the decorative lines in the headboard.
Create clips for the headboard stick holders.
The half-stick holders tend to spread apart so it helps to clip them together on the outside. To do this you will need some wrappers folded similar to sticks - just don't do the final fold - keep them flat. You will need two wrappers like this for clips. You will fold the clips to the around the half-stick holders after those are assembled.
Create the top and bottom holders for the half-sticks.
Take a wrapper and fold it along the normal creases it came with so that you have a silver piece on both sides and about 3 1/4 inches long. Take that and fold it in half along the length of the wrapper.
Now make connectors on each end. Roll each end of the flat piece around one of the full sticks. Roll 1/2 inch on each end. Keep the rolls on the same side of the stick. One will be on top of the short sticks and the other will hold the bottoms.
Repeat this process 4 times (you only need two for the headboard, but you'll also need 2 for the footboard).
Connect the top stick holder to two full sticks. Don't slide the sticks all the way through the connectors - just halfway through. There is an open side to the stick holder and a closed side. You want the open side of the stick holder (where you can open the piece and insert sticks) pointing down toward the bottom of the full sticks. Now crimp the top of the rolled connectors so they don't slide down the full sticks - they stay at the top.
Now slide the bottom stick holder onto the full sticks from the opposite direction. The opening that will hold the half sticks will be pointing in the opposite direction. Slide this holder up so that it is just greater than the half stick length apart.
Spread open the two half-stick holders so the half sticks can be inserted in them. Insert the 4 half sticks into the top and bottom holders. Space them evenly across to produce a type of picket fence look. Slide the top and bottom holders together to hold the sticks more securely. Press the areas between the sticks on the holders together to keep them from sliding side-to-side. Lastly, fold the narrow-flat pieces you made for clips around the outside of the holders so they won't spread apart and let the half sticks fall out. Do this at the far edge toward where the full sticks slide through the rolled connectors. One clip on each side - left and right. This should now complete the top of the head board. The top will stay on since it's crimped (as long as you don't turn it upside down). The bottom holder will stay there because of the clips wrapped around each side holding them together. You can lean this up against something vertical while you make the other components.
To make this part you will need some sticks. You will need four sticks for the headboard. You can make a couple extra for the footboard as well.
Here are the instructions for creating a stick.
Here are more instructables that have detailed steps on creating a stick.
footstool
swing set
Create 4 Half sticks.
Follow the same process as the full length sticks, but first fold the wrapper end-to-end in half. This will make the sticks a little fatter and about 1 5/8 inches long.
These will be used for the decorative lines in the headboard.
Create clips for the headboard stick holders.
The half-stick holders tend to spread apart so it helps to clip them together on the outside. To do this you will need some wrappers folded similar to sticks - just don't do the final fold - keep them flat. You will need two wrappers like this for clips. You will fold the clips to the around the half-stick holders after those are assembled.
Create the top and bottom holders for the half-sticks.
Take a wrapper and fold it along the normal creases it came with so that you have a silver piece on both sides and about 3 1/4 inches long. Take that and fold it in half along the length of the wrapper.
Now make connectors on each end. Roll each end of the flat piece around one of the full sticks. Roll 1/2 inch on each end. Keep the rolls on the same side of the stick. One will be on top of the short sticks and the other will hold the bottoms.
Repeat this process 4 times (you only need two for the headboard, but you'll also need 2 for the footboard).
Connect the top stick holder to two full sticks. Don't slide the sticks all the way through the connectors - just halfway through. There is an open side to the stick holder and a closed side. You want the open side of the stick holder (where you can open the piece and insert sticks) pointing down toward the bottom of the full sticks. Now crimp the top of the rolled connectors so they don't slide down the full sticks - they stay at the top.
Now slide the bottom stick holder onto the full sticks from the opposite direction. The opening that will hold the half sticks will be pointing in the opposite direction. Slide this holder up so that it is just greater than the half stick length apart.
Spread open the two half-stick holders so the half sticks can be inserted in them. Insert the 4 half sticks into the top and bottom holders. Space them evenly across to produce a type of picket fence look. Slide the top and bottom holders together to hold the sticks more securely. Press the areas between the sticks on the holders together to keep them from sliding side-to-side. Lastly, fold the narrow-flat pieces you made for clips around the outside of the holders so they won't spread apart and let the half sticks fall out. Do this at the far edge toward where the full sticks slide through the rolled connectors. One clip on each side - left and right. This should now complete the top of the head board. The top will stay on since it's crimped (as long as you don't turn it upside down). The bottom holder will stay there because of the clips wrapped around each side holding them together. You can lean this up against something vertical while you make the other components.
Step 3: Create Side Rails
To create side rails, fold a couple of pieces similar to the half-stick holders. Roll the ends for connectors. The final part is to fold down half-way one side of the piece to form a ledge to hold the box spring. I made 3 of these - one to hold up each side and another just for spacing to go on the headboard.
Slide the spacer, if needed up on the two full sticks to they are just below the lower half-stick holder. Both connectors will be on the full sticks just like the lower/upper half-stick holders.
Then slide one end of the side-rail on the full stick with the ledge to the inside of the bed. Repeat on the other side with the ledge facing the opposite direction (also to the inside of the bed).
Measure the bottom of the full sticks that remain uncovered at the bottom. You need to fold a wrapper so the width is equal to that length. Then, make a spacer by wrapping it around the full stick in a big cylinder as tight as possible. Do this for both legs. This will keep the spacer and the side rails from falling down. You must keep the head board upright or the spacer will fall off.
Slide the spacer, if needed up on the two full sticks to they are just below the lower half-stick holder. Both connectors will be on the full sticks just like the lower/upper half-stick holders.
Then slide one end of the side-rail on the full stick with the ledge to the inside of the bed. Repeat on the other side with the ledge facing the opposite direction (also to the inside of the bed).
Measure the bottom of the full sticks that remain uncovered at the bottom. You need to fold a wrapper so the width is equal to that length. Then, make a spacer by wrapping it around the full stick in a big cylinder as tight as possible. Do this for both legs. This will keep the spacer and the side rails from falling down. You must keep the head board upright or the spacer will fall off.
Step 4: Make the Foot Board
You'll need three full sticks, five wrappers for the vertical pieces, and two for the upper and lower holders. You will also need two for spacers at the bottom of the legs.
Holders
Make two holders (upper and lower) similar to the ones you made for the headboard. They should be the same width and length, but don't crimp the top connectors. All connectors will be pass-thru.
Bedposts
Bend two sticks in half so they are L shaped. These will be the footboard bedposts.
Make a spiral connector by wrapping one stick around another tightly until the entire stick is a spiral about an inch long. Slide this spiral off and use it to connect the two L shaped bedposts.
Slats
Take a wrapper and fold it into thirds end-to-end so that it's a little over an inch long. Fold it in half twice so that it's about 1/4 of an inch wide. Repeat this for your 3 slats in the footboard.
Clips.
Fold a couple of wrappers so they are full length but are also 1/4 inch wide. These will be the clips that hold the slats in the holders for the footboard.
Assemble the holders and slats so they fit together evenly and the slats are centered. Squeeze the foil on the holders in between the slats to keep them from sliding left and right.
Fold the clips around the end of the holders near the rolled connectors to hold the slats in the holder top-to-bottom. Since they are the same width as the slats, they will kind of look like slats.
Bedpost spacers
Fold two wrappers so they are about 1/2 inch wide. Roll these around a stick to create two fat cylinders. These will hold up the bottom of the footboard.
Holders
Make two holders (upper and lower) similar to the ones you made for the headboard. They should be the same width and length, but don't crimp the top connectors. All connectors will be pass-thru.
Bedposts
Bend two sticks in half so they are L shaped. These will be the footboard bedposts.
Make a spiral connector by wrapping one stick around another tightly until the entire stick is a spiral about an inch long. Slide this spiral off and use it to connect the two L shaped bedposts.
Slats
Take a wrapper and fold it into thirds end-to-end so that it's a little over an inch long. Fold it in half twice so that it's about 1/4 of an inch wide. Repeat this for your 3 slats in the footboard.
Clips.
Fold a couple of wrappers so they are full length but are also 1/4 inch wide. These will be the clips that hold the slats in the holders for the footboard.
Assemble the holders and slats so they fit together evenly and the slats are centered. Squeeze the foil on the holders in between the slats to keep them from sliding left and right.
Fold the clips around the end of the holders near the rolled connectors to hold the slats in the holder top-to-bottom. Since they are the same width as the slats, they will kind of look like slats.
Bedpost spacers
Fold two wrappers so they are about 1/2 inch wide. Roll these around a stick to create two fat cylinders. These will hold up the bottom of the footboard.
Step 5: Assemble Frame and Foot Board
Headboard w/ side rails
Slide two spiral spacers onto the bottom of the headboard posts.
Slide the top rolled connectors of the side rails onto these posts.
Slide the spacer for the headboard onto the posts.
Slide the headboard assembly with the half-stick enclosure onto the posts
Footboard and side rails
Take the footboard and lay it next to the headboard at the end of the side rail. Line up the rolled connector of the side rail in between the upper and lower connectors of the footboard. Slide one of the footboard posts through all 3 of the rolled connectors.
Fold the headboard over so the other side rail is in line between the upper and lower footboard connectors. Insert the other footboard post through all three connectors on that side.
connect the top of the footboard posts with the spiral connector. Place the spacers on the bottom of the footboard posts.
Gently (you have learned to be gentle if you've gotten this far) bring the bed frame up and square it up. This will prepare for the final assembly.
Slide two spiral spacers onto the bottom of the headboard posts.
Slide the top rolled connectors of the side rails onto these posts.
Slide the spacer for the headboard onto the posts.
Slide the headboard assembly with the half-stick enclosure onto the posts
Footboard and side rails
Take the footboard and lay it next to the headboard at the end of the side rail. Line up the rolled connector of the side rail in between the upper and lower connectors of the footboard. Slide one of the footboard posts through all 3 of the rolled connectors.
Fold the headboard over so the other side rail is in line between the upper and lower footboard connectors. Insert the other footboard post through all three connectors on that side.
connect the top of the footboard posts with the spiral connector. Place the spacers on the bottom of the footboard posts.
Gently (you have learned to be gentle if you've gotten this far) bring the bed frame up and square it up. This will prepare for the final assembly.
Step 6: Make the Box Spring
Fold a 15 pack foil so that it's 2 1/4 inches square, and 5/16 inches deep with the printed side up. The lower portion doesn't matter because it will be underneath. You just want a platform to hold the mattress.
Step 7: Create the Mattress
Fold a 15 pack foil into a box 2 1/4 inches square and 5/16 inches deep, this time keeping the foil side up. This will give the same color for the mattress and the underside of the comforter.
Step 8: Create the Comforter
Similar to the box spring in dimensions, but when you're done, fold back the top so it looks like a turned down comforter. It also helps if the box is a little wider and deeper so it fit around the mattress. Also, the sides are left long (1 inch) to drape over the side rails.
Step 9: Assemble the Bed
Put the boxspring on the frame rails. Put the comforter over the mattress and place that unit on top of the box spring with the mattress sticking out by the head board. Place the pillow by the head board and you are done.
Nighty, night - don't let the bed bugs bite, but if they do, whack them with a shoe!
Nighty, night - don't let the bed bugs bite, but if they do, whack them with a shoe!