DIY pencil holder: How to make a pencil case or pen pot 

You’re always doing something for someone – for your job, your group chats, your roommate who’s dishes simply never stop piling up in the sink. So, when it comes to your own space? It's the last thing you think about. But a cluttered space makes for a cluttered mind. So, why not take a few quiet minutes for a (toilet roll) craft that helps you reset? This easy DIY pencil holder isn’t just about cleaning up your desk, it’s about reclaiming a bit of calm in your own space and mind.

Plus, this DIY pencil holder is easy to make, and you probably already have everything you need lying around. Help reduce waste by repurposing your Cushelle toilet paper cores into a nifty DIY pencil case or pen pot that’ll let you unleash your creativity and organisation skills all in one. Now, without further ado, let’s dive into how to make pen holder pots out of empty toilet rolls with our easy-to-follow make your own pencil case or pen pot tutorial. 

Takes about 1.5 hours

Keep in mind: You may choose to use more or fewer toilet roll tubes, depending on how far you want to go with your toilet roll crafts. You can stick to the five tubes we recommend, or choose for yourself —whatever you prefer.  

If you’re making your DIY pen holder for a budding artist, for example, you might want to up the number of tubes to store their many paintbrushes, ink pens, felt tips, pencils and more! 

Do you have your materials ready? Then let’s get crafting!  

How to make a DIY pencil holder:

1. Cut the toilet rolls to size. Carefully measure and cut the toilet roll tubes down to several different lengths. Feel free to cut as many as you like, but make sure you don’t cut them so short that pens and pencils can’t stand up inside them!
   
   Remember, the more you do, the bigger and more varied your pencil pot will be. Make sure that young children use scissors only while under adult supervision. Once you’re a seasoned pro, why not try cutting the toilet roll tubes at different angles: zig-zags, wiggly lines or turrets could make for a very funky DIY pen holder!
   
   
2. Paint the insides of the tubes. Next, it’s time to add a little colour to your masterpiece in the making. Go ahead and paint the insides of the tubes in different colours to match your wrapping paper. Once you’ve finished painting the insides of the tubes, leave them to dry.
   
   
3. Cover the outsides with wrapping paper. Once your tubes are dry, place them on the wrapping paper and measure and cut pieces to cover the outsides. Next, neatly wrap and stick the paper in place with glue. 
   
   Feel free to get creative with this step by picking out different types of wrapping paper! Is this DIY pencil case a birthday gift for someone special? Then go ahead and use birthday-themed wrapping.
   
   Need some more pen holder ideas? You could use printed photos of your family, friends or pets. How about toilet roll craft ideas that get you into the holiday spirit every time you sit down at your desk? The possibilities are endless if you’re looking to shake up your DIY pen pot design.
   
   
4. Glue the tubes together. Keep in mind that this step is best suited for adults, seeing as it calls for a hot glue gun. (PVA glue should work too, if you don’t have a glue gun!) Stick your tubes together in a group one by one and use your hot glue gun to secure them. While this may be more of an adult-friendly task, the kids can definitely still be involved in the art direction!
   
   
5. Stick on the base. Next, it’s time to bring out your empty tissue box. Open and flatten the box as much as you can. Then, go ahead and glue the group of tubes in the middle. When the glue is completely dry, draw around the bottom edges of the tubes with a pencil and cut it out to get rid of the excess cardboard.
   
   
6. Pop some pens in! You’ve just completed your DIY pencil holder for your desk – and it looks even better than you’d imagined! Admire your finished pen pot by filling it with your most-used pens and pencils. You can even use your DIY pencil holder to store your rulers, rubbers and paintbrushes.  

Now that you’ve mastered how to make your own pencil case or pen pot, take a step back and admire what you’ve done. Not only do you have a tidy desk, but you also indulged in creative little win to break away from the stress of a typically busy day. You took some time to declutter your space for yourself, just as you deserve.