This is an altered box that I was asked by a friend to create as a gift. The box came from Michael's and was quite inexpensive.
I started by tracing the box on a piece of aluminum (thanks, Nancy!) and cutting the pieces for the top and all four sides. I adhered them temporarily to a large piece of scrap paper and taped that to my work surface so it wouldn't move around. That made it so much easier to apply the alcohol ink and get fairly even color and coverage across all five pieces.
I embossed the side and end pieces and applied platinum acrylic paint over them with a paint brush, then wiped most of it back off with a soft paper towel. I added a deep gray acrylic paint with a brayer and wiped it off, as well. The pieces were trimmed and adhered to the box with Sookwang tape.
The border ef matching the front and back pieces was used for the border around the top of the box. I used 2" wide self adhesive aluminum tape and adhered the additional width to the top of the box before I put the top piece of aluminum in place. The corner pieces are also aluminum tape, trimmed to 1.5 inches It was adhered from top to bottom; I used a craft knife to cut the tape at the openings between the top and bottom. I didn't have to worry about trying to match up the top and bottom that way!
The only bad thing about this project is that the hinges and front clasp were gold-colored metal. I couldn't find anything suitable in silver, so I painted the hinges with a mix of black alcohol ink and silver mixative. The clasp was replaced with a handle that I painted, as well.
This was a really fun project to complete; I hope my friend likes it. She hasn't seen it yet!
Registered: September 12, 2007 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 61357
Fri, Jul 01, 2016 @ 5:26 PM
It's hard to believe this began as a simple box from Michaels. I jumped ahead and looked at your other photos to see the differences between them. Beautiful work, Jody. Unbelievably great work. The colors between silver and blue are gorgeous. This is definitely a very special gift for Lindsey.
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Art Neko and Prickley Pear DTs
Former DT Dolce Designs, Rubbernecker, StampItCrazy,
I Brake For Stamps
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Registered: March 31, 2008 Location: Eastlake, OH Posts: 22598
Fri, Jul 01, 2016 @ 8:32 PM
I can't get over how beautiful this turned out! The embossing fold choices are gorgeous and DID notice the hardware too! Love the added corner strips on this. What an amazing job you did on this! I too, find it hard to believe it is a Michael's box!
Registered: May 23, 2009 Location: sunny california Posts: 9825
Sun, Jul 03, 2016 @ 5:55 AM
I am so glad I check your gallery often, or I would have missed this AMAZING creation. I need to figure out how to get alerts when some of my favorite artists post stuff. This looks like an expensive antique box bought in a shop that is out of my price range . You used such lovely colors. Pinned and faved, my friend. I have a new little (75 pound) friend named Gorgia the German Shepherd who we rescued from the shelter on my birthday....she does not share my love of crafting or gallery gazing, and she is a little large to argue with. She wants to play...doggie school here we come.
Registered: February 22, 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 43340
Sun, Jul 03, 2016 @ 10:33 AM
I can assure you your friend will not like it - she will LUV it! This is beautiful and stunning! it looks like something you might find in a high end specialty shop and would no doubt e quite expensive. Even if you could find something so amazing, it wouldn't be personalized. This is a treasure!
------------------------------ Priscilla (aka - PJ)
QFTD187 My Gallery
Registered: June 4, 2009 Location: Deatsville, Alabama Posts: 83088
Mon, Jul 04, 2016 @ 6:37 PM
Wow - so impressive in so many ways. Looks so complicated and time-consuming but sooooo worth it. Hugz
------------------------------ Nancy Williams - Hope your day is Spirit-filled and ink-filled (in that order)!DRS Designs-DT, Punchkateerforever, Dirty Dozen Alumni
Registered: February 3, 2005 Location: Delray Beach, FL Posts: 34769
Tue, Jul 05, 2016 @ 11:28 AM
Oh, Jody, I am so intrigued by this and love how you've transformed a simple box from Michaels into a beautiful keepsake that is absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing how you did it (although it's mystifying to read). I am in awe and so love your projects. This is stunning! Hugs, sweet friend!
------------------------------ Cheryl
Proverbs 3:5-6 My blog
Registered: February 5, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 92529
Fri, Jul 08, 2016 @ 6:52 PM
Jody, this is not only incredible....but BEAUTIFUL!! I wouldn't even attempt such a creation. Working with metal has to be tough and take some muscle....and I hope, no cut fingers! : ) Your friend has to be over the moon with such a spectacular box. A TRUE WOW!!!