We picked up some fruit from the markets the other day and it came in a couple of boxes. These are mango boxes, the sort that are a bit stronger than others and I was thinking about what to do with them and this came to mind.

Here’s what I did with the boxes:

I made a cut using my stanley knife through the middle of the box on both sides. I then scored the inside of the box joining the two cuts so that I could bend the box outwards.

Then I bent the two halves backwards so they met in the middle. You can see the chair taking shape.

I then did some shaping with my knife to round off the sides. I also used wide sticky tape to secure the middle flaps to each other as well as some on the back and sides.

I then added a pillow for a seat and taped on some straps (and sat dolly in the chair).

You can see I simply taped the straps on, the doll comes out by slipping her out of the straps not undoing them (here anyway).

I then did the same with the top of the box so that Miss L had one to play with too:

and as you can see, it was a hit!

Although little Miss L seems to like to sit on it, amazingly it takes all 12kg!

Let me just say that this was totally impromptu and unplanned. If I were to continue with making this I would do the following:

1. Either paint or cover the whole thing with contact to hide the stains from the fruit and give it continuity.
2. Make a little seat for the high chair that fits.
3. Make straps that are secured properly and clip together, maybe even use a set of harness straps.
4. Make a tray.

In looking at this little chair I can see many uses for it. You could easily use it as a shelf if you are selling at markets like I am. you could even use it as a little light box for taking photos with. If you turned it on its side you could create a dolls house with a series of these. I’m sure you could come up with a whole lot more to do with this. I’d love to hear your ideas and see anything you make!