designcat: Make

Heart Shaped Box

When I was a kid the giant Valentine candy box was the best thing ever. Its an icon that even shows up in cartoons as a symbol of smittenness. If someone was lucky enough to get one in real life it was proof they were loved.

My husband must've had the same insight because one year he bought me the big box of chocolates from Godiva and started a collection. I can't find the photo of that right now and we don't put them out until February 1st. There isn't a box for each year, mind you, sometimes I just ask him to pick one to refill.

This year I'm working on making my own. There's something very poetic about learning build your own heart-shaped box. Makes me want to sing.

Forever in debt to your priceless advice.

Or something like that. There is a lot of paper in my studio and sometimes it needs to go 3-D instead of being made into flat art. They're small but they're turning out pretty nice.

What do we call this process? Its not quite decoupage. Its not paper maché. Paper lamination?

I wish I had a metal heart.

Maybe next year I'll learn to weld.

Posted at 01:31 PM in Make | Permalink | Comments (0)

Paper Anniversary Box

Just an idea I'm working on for a paper wrapped box.

These are made from magazine paper and cardboard tubes. Wouldn't they make a nice first anniversary gift if they were made from candid wedding photos?

Still need to do something about those seams. Claycoat doesn't blend together as nicely as it could and a layer of gloss may not be enough to make everything meld together seamlessly.

Notes to anyone who tries it with a real photo:

1. Photo needs to be printed on paper that doesn't have that plastic coating that make home-printed photos look like real glossy paper

2. Make sure not to cut off the head of any gloved guests, unless the couple prefers it that way (jk.)

Working through the same process with a different image yields better results. I purposely chose a more random image with more texture. Edges were carefully cut during the wrapping process to preserve the idea of the original image. This requires more attention to detail and planning but the edges are much less noticeable.