Upcycled 12 pack 7up box

I love how this box turned out! I made a simple box, then I used it to try out some ideas I had.

 

I started with the cardboard box that cans of 7up come in.

I decided on the height I wanted the box to be, about 3.5 inches. Then I measured another 3.5 inches for to fold over. I cut the along the corners of the part I would fold over.

I folded the top half over, then glued it in place using Mod Podge.

I reinforced the bottom by gluing leftover cardboard on the bottom of the box.

 

I glued resume paper to the entire box, but you could use any paper you wanted to. I then painted the box inside and out with gesso.

I then glued stain glass scrapes to the box using a clear glue for glass. You don't have to use stained glass, flat marbles or pieces of pottery would work.

I then added some orange paint to Laticrete wall grout and mixed it up following the directions on the box.  You don't have to ad the paint to the grout, if you want to buy pre-mixed grout you can paint it when it dries.

Next I removed most of the grout from the glass, and painted inside and out with liquid acrylic paint.

To make the lid I cut a piece of orange stained glass to fit. I covered the edges with copper foil then tinned the foil. I applied copper patina to the solder. If you want a stained glass lid, but don't have stained glass around like I do, you can go to a stained glass shop and ask them to cut you a square to fit your box. Or you could make the lid out of cardboard or chipboard.

I used scrap glass for the lid, you could use flat marbles or broken pottery.

I glued the stained glass and flat marbles to the lid using glass glue.

I painted yellow over the grout to make it a lighter orange, then I painted red under the glass and light yellow over the glass to give it a shadow effect.

 

Upcycled cigar box becomes a Halloween box

Something about this box said spooky to me. I think it is because when I was little my aunt had a bank that was shaped like this box. You would put a coin on the top and a hand would come out of a trap door on top and take it.

I painted the lid and inside of the box black and the outside of the box orange. Then a orange wash over the black lid.

 

I was trying a crackle effect with glue and black paint on orange, but it did not work.  I wanted cracks, I just got patches where you could see the orange.

I still wanted the box to be a Halloween box, so I decided that I would messure off some watercolor paper to fit the sides.  Then I picked my favorite Halloween icons, Jack-o-lantern, boogyman, black cat and eyes in the dark. I drew zentangles around them and colored them in using water soulable markers, watercolor pencils and black ink.

 

I  glued the watercolor zentangles onto the box using mod-podge. I used clear acrylic sealer to seal the watercolor then I put a coat of mod podge over the outside of the box to ensure everything stays in place. 

I like how the box turned out, even if it is not what I was planning on.

 

Upcycled cardboard box, becomes a box for a handmade book

Materials needed

Cardboard box
Charcoal paper
Oil pastels
Baby oil
Mod podge
Black construction paper
Mesh yarn
Grid paper
Watercolor crayons
Black ink

 Someone gave me this box, I don't know what it was used for so I don't know what to call it. The box you use will work if it opens in the front.

I cut off the tabs on the front panels and the flaps on the side panels.

Using grid paper and glue I I connected the side panels forming a tray. Then I covered the entire box with grid paper. You don't have to use grid paper, any kind of paper would work. I used grid paper because I thought it would look good under my artwork.

For the front of the box I used a drawing I made with oil pastels. For the drawing I drew in the trees first using black and brown oil pastels. I blended the pastels using baby oil. Behind the tree is a sunrise, green and brown for grass, gray for mist, then red, orange and yellow for the sunset. I blended the colors into each other using baby oil.

I cut the picture in half and glued it to the front, sides and a little bit on the back using Mod Podge.

I cut out a piece of charcoal paper and glued it to the back and center panels. At first I had planed on drawing on the paper, but I liked the look and feel of it plane.

To finish the edges on the flaps in the front I cut strips of black construction paper. I folded the strips of paper in half, then glued them over the edges of the flaps.

On the inside, I painted a sunset using watercolor crayons, then drew trees on top with black ink. I cut a piece of black construction paper to fit the bottom of the tray. I don't like the inside of the box. When I finish the handmade book that is going in the box, I'll change the inside. You could use anything you want for the outside and inside. If you are making the box for a art journal or hand made book, you can design the inside and outside to match the book or art journal.

To hold the flaps shut and to add more color I finished the box off by wrapping mesh yarn around the box twice and then tied a big bow. I think the box is perfect for a little homemade book. The book is taking longer to make then any box I made. I'll post a picture when I'm finished.

Upcycled cigar box

Materials needed

Cigar box
Gesso
Acrylic paint
Modeling paste
Wood glue
Glass square
Beads
Beading wire
Wood blocks

I started with an old cigar box.

I painted the box inside and out with gesso.

I painted the box blue.

Next I applied some modeling paste to give the box dimension and to cover up the writing on the box.

I used simple shapes and bright colors. I was going for a Pee Wee playhouse / Beetlejuice look. I don't know why, I suppose just for the fun of it.

I used wood blocks from an old game for the feet. I painted them green, then red stripes and purple on top.

I used wood glue to glue the blocks to the bottom of the box. I filled in the corners with modeling paste.  I smoothed it out the best I could so the blocks and past would look like one piece.

I made a lariat out of glass beads and beading wire. You don't need a lariat for the box, I think it would look good with or without it.

I painted the corners to match the feet. I glued a glass square on top of the box and put the beaded lariat around it. I bought the glass square a long time ago. I don't remember the store, only that they were sold next to marbles you use for decoration.  I enjoyed painting the box and I think it turned out bright and playful like I wanted.

Upcycled steak box, becomes a stationery box

Materials needed

Steak box
Scrapbooking paper
Soft pastels
Glitter
Ribbon
Markers
Watercolor pencils
Mod Podge
Mod podge puzzle saver
Glue gune

I started with a box steaks came in.

I cut off the tabs and cut a piece of cardboard to fit across the back of the bottom of the box to form a tray.

I covered the entire box with resume paper using mod podge.  I used resume paper because that is what I had. You can use book pages or sketch paper.

I drew a yellow bird on a branch on the top of the box using soft pastels. You don't have to draw a picture, you can use scrapbook paper or a yard sale picture.

Next I took some pink scrapbook and ripped out the corners and glued them to the corners of the box. I ripped the paper on the bird a little bit, and painted a light brown wash over the bird and background using watercolor pencils. Using watercolor pencils I painted the edges of the scrapbook paper red.

I outlined the flowers with magic markers and glued glitter on the flowers. I painted more red on the edges of the scape book paper, and outlined the inside with black ink.

I thought the edge was too smooth, so I took a wet sponge to the edge and ripped and tore it until it looked a lot more ragged. Using pastels I drew in more trees, sky and fixed up the bird a little bit. I used pastels because I think it is a good contrast to the paper. I filled in more dots on the paper.

I covered the entire box with a sealant. I put more glitter on the flowers, than I used mod podge puzzle saver on only the paper to give it a glossy finish. I bought the mod podge puzzle saver by accident. It goes on thick and is very glossy, it gives the paper a plastic feel.

I made a pull from some red velvet ribbon I think mom had left over from the 60's. I attached it to the inside of the lid using my glue gun.

The look I was going for was shiny paper ripping off to show an old painting underneath. I am happy with the way it turned out.