Tutorial to Make Faux Metal Box
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| Photo of Finished Box Top |
1. Find your box, I used an old cigar box, sand using a fine sand paper to remove any bumps and leave a smooth finish then paint with gesso, I used black but you can also use white, inside then when dried paint the outside. Once it is all dry I used Modge Podge to seal it inside and out.
2. Make your ‘metal strips’ use a good quality paper, 120gsm up to 160gsm, running down the
length of the paper put gaffer tape smoothly from top to bottom. I used 8 strips for my box but
make as many strips as you need, alternatively you can carefully set the gaffer tape in lines
close together to form a sheet. Next if you’ve made strips cut the strips to separate then
carefully trim one end to give a good finish in your embossing folder and run through your
machine, if you make a sheet use an A4 folder, making sure that one end is perfectly level so it
fits snuggly in the fold then you will get a good finish. I always look for a folder that will looked
like beaten metal or similar for the best effect.
3. Once you have your metal strips/sheet next we will make it look
like metal. Using a
permanent ink pad, I used Verafine Clair, gently pull the ink over your strip/sheet to darken it
slightly, once dry, use an embossing wax/paste and a sponge to add a metallic element like it
to look old and battered so I add the wax sparingly, if you have never done this before I would
recommend trying it out on the off cuts first.
4. Next we will make the lace panel. Cut your lace to fit, you may use wide lace or narrow. I used a
wide lace and cut it so that it was about 1cm inside the edges of the box lid, then you need a
shallow container and in this mix some Polli Filla and black gesso, add water if needed to get a
consistency like double/heavy cream. I used around 2 tablespoons of filler powder and a
tablespoon of gesso, then added water by very small quantities until it was the right
consistency. Carefully lay your lace in the mix and leave to soak in for a few minutes, remove
and leave on something to dry, I use a silicone mat for this (it may take some time to dry but
this is not a quick project!) Once it is dry, it should be fairly stiff, carefully using a soft cloth rub
off any excess so that the lace design is visible but the stiffness remains. Using a good clear
adhesive stick to the top of your box, once the glue is dry give it a coat of Modge Podge.
5. Next we will add the ‘metal’ strips. I started on the short sides and measured the length and
depth of the piece required, for the bottom of the box make sure your piece is level so that the
box will close, using a good contact type adhesive, I used Gorilla clear contact glue, attach
your bottom sections, when you add the top the ‘metal’ will fold over onto the top to catch the
edge of your lace panel, I glued the panels to the sides first, then when glue is holding securely,
cut the top edges by 45 degrees, leave it like that until you have attached the long sides, you
need to carefully cut around any catches so that your ‘metal’ is tight to the edges, put your
bottom panels on the when you add the top panels attach to the sides and leave to set before
gluing the top. First fold your long edges in and glue in place, then fold your short edges with
the cut corners over and glue into place, you will end up with nice mitres corners to your box.
Add an edging to the panel to hide any differences, I found some plastic silver stud like ribbon
that can be cut into single strips, they also make a jeweled type that could be used if you want
to add some bling! Once this is done, I would recommend putting something heavy on the top
to keep it flat (I used some blocks of DAS), do not use anything that will stick to the glue.
6. Inside the box. I used two sheets of matching 12 x 12 paper (160gsm) and cut panels that will fit in the bottom and the top, it won’t close if you try and line the side. The image is an Andy Skinner stamp that was stamped onto watercolour card, coloured using watercolour markers and some Zig glitter pens, I then used some watercolour ink pads to blend out the background. Once dry it can be set using a quick blast of hairspray. I used some clear PVA glue to add it to the inner lid and line it using some tiny rhinestones that come on a roll and can be cut into single strips to suit.
7. Finishing the top, I made some laminated letter by die cutting the letter in black card (160gsm) 8 times then in black glitter card once, carefully glue to letter to form a stack using a good clear PVA glue the finish with your glitter layer on the top. Position as required (I also laminated some small hearts) and add further decoration as required, I used some metal embellishments that I folded in half around the bottom corners of the box and used two of the plastic studs around the top corners.
Now you just have to decide if you really want to give it away!!
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