How to Make Desk Organizers

Center a shoe box on a piece of decorative paper or fabric. Shoe boxes about 6 inches deep and free of holes work best. The box may be large or small, depending on your needs.

Trace the bottom of the box in chalk onto the fabric or paper and then tilt the box onto its left side. Trace around that side with chalk. Repeat with the right side, top and bottom sides. Move the box; you should see a fat plus sign in chalk on the fabric or paper.

Cut out the plus sign with sharp scissors. Paint the sides of the box with fabric glue, which also works on paper, and set the box back on top of the plus sign. Smooth the arms of the plus sign over the sides of the box. Allow the box to dry overnight.

Arrange cardboard boxes of various sizes inside the shoe box. VHS sleeves, cardboard jewelry containers and foodstuff boxes cut down to size work well. Create places for files, pencils, thumbtacks, rubber bands, binder clips and other desk necessities.

Put glue dots on the bottom of each box and slip each box down into the shoe box.

Carefully run a thick bead of puffed fabric paint over all the edges of your organizer. Use metallic silver or gold paint to make the piece look as if it is lined with metallic edging. Let the paint dry overnight.