DIY MERMAID theme Desk organizer | Pencil holder | Back to school crafts

Posted by Raminta Sorokin on August 16, 2025

DIY Mermaid Desk Organizer 🌊✨

Are you ready to add some underwater magic to your desk? Dive into this DIY mermaid-themed desk organizer that will bring a splash of whimsy to your workspace! Whether you’re heading back to school or just want to brighten your office, this project is fun for all ages.

📺 Full tutorial on YouTube:

The Base

My base measurements are 16.9 × 23.8 × 6 cm, but you can choose any size that works for you. Adding a drawer is optional.

I glued the cardboard pieces together with hot glue and used masking tape on the edges to hide imperfections. For the drawer sides, I accidentally made them too big and had to trim them later—I should have cut them properly before gluing everything together.

One of the compartments was made from 9 × 9 cm cardboard pieces. I covered the sides with masking tape and glued it into the corner. All of the pieces were then covered with napkin paper (you can also use tissues, kitchen paper, or toilet paper). I brushed on a mixture of 70% water and 30% school glue, which gave the organizer a cohesive look and made it sturdier.

I used the same method to cover all the other parts of the organizer.

‘Scales’

For the scales, I used cardboard from Actimel packaging, but thin cardboard from cereal boxes works really well too.

Cut the cardboard into strips.
Then cut evenly spaced shapes from those strips.

Since I cut mine unevenly, I couldn’t just glue them in neat rows—I had to cut them into smaller groups and sometimes glue them one by one. It took a while, but the effect was worth it.

👉 Tip: To save time, cut your scales larger and measure them carefully (about 1–1.5 cm each). That way, you can glue them row by row instead of piece by piece.

Painting

Once the scales were finished, it was time to paint!

I used several shades of blue acrylic paint, dabbing them randomly and blending the colors together. Dry-brushing really helped soften and blend the transitions.

I painted the other organizer parts before gluing everything together. Since those parts had more rounded shapes compared to the square scale section, it was easier to paint them separately.

At the very end, I brushed on some iridescent acrylic paint (optional) to add a magical shimmer.

Decorations

For decorations, I used air-dry modeling clay and an underwater-themed mold. Since I only had one mold, I made the shapes I liked and then created extras like jellyfish, a mermaid tail, a fish, and a dolphin using acrylic modeling paste. This gave the decorations extra texture and detail. If you don’t have paste, you can skip it and simply paint them.

At the base, I glued on pearls, stones, charms, and other pretty bits I had on hand. Decoration is very personal—use what you have and love.

Jars

I also included a few small glass jars as part of the organizer. They fit the theme perfectly since they’re clear. At first, I planned to glue them into the base, but in the end, I decided to leave them separate. That way, they can be moved around or swapped out depending on what needs to be stored.

To decorate the jars:

I covered their bases with napkin paper.
Painted them blue.
Added clay details, twine, and charms.
Finished with a touch of iridescent acrylic paint for shine.

Final Touch 🌊

This DIY mermaid desk organizer is not only practical but also adds a magical, whimsical feel to any workspace. My daughter is starting preschool very soon, and since she loves mermaids, she was thrilled when I gave this organizer to her.