Project designed and demonstrated by guest Michelle Ross.
What to do with all those small jewelry boxes after the jewelry is put away? Make treasure book boxes, of course! One jewelry box will make two treasure book boxes; you'll just have to adjust your measurements for the box top and bottom, as they will be slightly different.
Materials:
small paper jewelry box (top or bottom)
glue stick
white glue
single-ply chipboard
self-healing cutting mat
rubber stamps
ink pads
bone folder
decorative papers
craft knife
scissors
pencil
ruler
cord, beads or other embellishments
book-making awl or a nail
Steps:
1. Measure the box half's height, width and length.
2. Cut three pieces of chipboard. First, cut two cover boards that are 3/8-inch larger than the length of the box half and 1/4-inch larger than the width of the box (figure A).
3. Then cut the spine the same length as the two cover pieces and the same as the box half's height.
4. Cut decorative paper for the cover boards and spine. Lay the three chipboard pieces side by side like they will be assembled, and cut the paper about one inch bigger on all sides (figure B).
5. Put adhesive on one side of the chipboard pieces and glue them to the paper, centering them and leaving 1/8 inch between the spine and the cover boards. Press and smooth well with a bone folder.
6. Snip the corners of the paper to about 1/4 inch from the corners of the cover boards (figure C).
7. Apply glue and adhere the four edges of the paper to the inside of the boards. Wrap the corners like a gift package and press well with the bone folder (figure D).
8. Cut a piece of lining paper 1/8- to 1/4-inch smaller all around than the previously glued cover board assembly. Apply glue to the paper, center on the cover boards, and press well in the hinge spaces (figure E). Flex the boards into the position they will be in around the box and let dry.
9. Using the length, width and height measurements, make a paper pattern to fit the inside of the box. Test it in place and trim until it fits nicely. Then cut a decorative lining for your box and glue it in place, smoothing it in place with the bone folder (figure F).
10. Cut a piece of decorative paper large enough to cover the outside of the box and wrap slightly over to the inside. Wrap it like a gift box and glue in place ( figure G).
11. Use white glue to glue the box to the bottom cover board. Put glue on the box bottom only. Center the box on the bottom cover board, butting the long side of the box up to the spine (figure H). Do not glue the spine to the box side.
12. Stamp and embellish the outside top cover board. Punch a hole, centered top to bottom, and close to the edge of the cover board. Make sure it is not "inside the box" when the cover is closed.
13. Cut a piece of cord that, when doubled, is long enough to tie the folded end into a loop. Put a bead on the other end and wrap around the box.
14. Tie a knot in the folded end of the cord, leaving a loop long enough for your bead to fit through. From front to back, push the two loose ends of the cord through the punched hole. Put the bead on the loose ends together and tie a knot to secure it (figure I).
15. Wrap the cord under the box around to the front, and slip the bead through the loop. It should be loose.
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