I LOVED working on this project because, like a lot of other folks, I have fallen under the spell of the fun of transforming the appearance of ordinary items with the mini glass beads that are now everywhere. A season or so ago we covered ballpoint pens with decorative paper and beads, and this time it's paper mache boxes that we added the sparkle to.
I first saw these at Custer's Last Stamp, a stamp store in Traverse City, Mich., where owner Debera Anderson had covered some boxes with paper napkins and then beaded them. Of course I had to try it. And after the paper napkins, I used gift wrapping paper. And after the gift wrapping paper, I used tissue paper. Debera also rubber stamped her boxes (naturally). Lots of possibilities here.
The basic directions are the same for whatever kind of paper you use to cover the box, but there are also variations possible in what you use to cover what. I've detailed what I used for each one at the end of the directions.
Materials:
box to cover - paper mache, cardboard or chip board
tissue paper, paper napkin or gift wrap
industrial-strength, double-sided peel-off tape*
ruler
pencil
scissors and/or craft knife
stick glue
clear mini beads
Krylon gold leafing pen
velour Con-Tact paper - optional
card stock or poster board - optional
*The tape to which I refer is known by different names -- Red Liner tape, Wonder Tape and Starliner to name a few. It is easily recognizable by its rose color (before you peel off the protective covering) and comes in 9" x 12" sheets as well as in a variety of tape widths. You will need the sheets for this project. It is carried in some craft stores, many rubber stamp stores and scrapbooking stores.
Steps:
1. Place the paper wrong side up on a tabletop. Place the box top upside down on the paper, trace the shape of the box and cut it out. Repeat with the bottom of the box.
2. Cut out a strip of paper long enough to go around the side of the box top with about 1/8 inch of overlap and 1/4 inch wider than the side (figure A). Cut out another strip to go around the side of the box with a 1/8-inch overlap, but cut this strip 1/2 inch wider than the depth of the box so you will have 1/4 inch extra along both the top and bottom edges.
3. Cut out pieces of regular paper or velour Con-Tact paper to cover the bottom of the inside of the box, the bottom of the box outside and the inside of the top or the box.
4. The sequence in which you do things is your choice. I worked in the following manner, covering first the side of the top of the box. Apply some stick glue to the side of the box top and place the paper strip along the side so the bottom edges are perfectly aligned and the extra 1/4 inch extends beyond the top edge of the box top. Using the stick glue as opposed to decoupage medium (which can also be used) allows you to pick up and reposition the paper in case you don't get it on perfectly straight the first time.
5. After covering the side of the box top, cut many slashes along the extending top edge (figure B), run stick glue along the outside of the top of the box and press the paper tabs into position. Make certain that they are flat and smooth. Some will overlap but that is alright as long as they don't lump up.
6. Apply stick glue to the entire top of the box top and press the cut out paper into position. Try to make the paper as smooth as possible, but do not be compulsive about it, as it will soon be covered with beads and no wrinkles will be noticed. If decoupage medium is used to apply paper napkins, it will be all but impossible NOT to have wrinkles.
7. Cover the side of the box itself in the same manner, but this time have the paper strip extend 1/4 inch along both the top and bottom edges. After slashing the paper, press it down and glue it into the inside of the box and over to the bottom of the box (figure C).
8. To cover the inside side of the top of the box, either paint with a Krylon gold leafing pen or add a strip of velour Con-Tact paper or a strip of regular paper. If you wish to use some of the paper itself to cover the inside of the side of the box, I found it easiest to cut a strip of card stock or poster board the exact width and long enough to go around with a fraction of an inch overlap. Cut a length of paper about one inch wider and glue it to the card stock strip, folding the extending edges over to the back side. Glue the paper-covered strip into the box. The velour Con-Tact paper is also easy to apply.
9. To cover the inside of the bottom of the box, cut a piece the exact size and glue into position. Repeat on the inside of the top of the box. It is here that it is both easy and attractive to use the velour Con-Tact paper.
10. When the entire box is covered, it is time to apply the beads! Draw and cut out a piece of the tape to cover the top of the box top and another for the side of the top of the box. You will also need to cut a strip for the side of the box itself, but be certain to measure the width of this with the top of the box ON the box. The beads should cover only the area below where the top comes or the top will no longer fit the box. When the tape has been applied and the protective covering removed, dip the individual pieces in the beads. I usually put my beads in a shallow box top or foam tray. Dip and press until all of the taped area is coated with beads. Done! Enjoy!
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