Use candle wax and two colors of paint to give an ordinary trinket box a vintage look. Add a few fitting decorations, and you have created a beautiful gift for a special friend without breaking the bank in the process.
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Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: one
Supplies:
square wooden trinket box
acrylic paint in the following colors: mother-of-pearl rose, plum, and antique bronze
white daisy, made from plaster of Paris
two small natural wooden words ~ for this project, the Afrikaans words for Faith and Hope were used
quick-drying matte spray varnish
white taper candle
paint brush
fine sanding paper
a sponge ~ use one that was inside a medicine bottle
old dry cloth
clear-drying craft glue
few sheets of old newspapers to protect the working area
Steps:
Begin this project with the bottom of the box. Lightly sandpaper the whole box, and dust well with a dry cloth.
Paint the outside of the box with the mother-of-pearl rose acrylic paint.
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Allow to dry and add a second coat.
Turn the box around and paint the inside of the box in the same way.
Rub the outside of the box with the candle on the areas where you want to add an aged look.
Paint the outside of the box with the antique bronze acrylic paint and allow to dry.
Use the sponge to give the inside of the box a wash with the antique bronze acrylic paint. Remember not to use too much paint when using a sponge, as this will cause the paint to smudge. Remove excess paint by dabbing it onto a sheet of newspaper before applying the sponge. Allow to dry thoroughly.
Sandpaper the box lightly on the areas where you have applied the wax. The top layer of the paint will peel away, revealing the bottom layer of the paint.
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Use the mother-of-pearl rose acrylic paint to add a bit of color to the words.
Glue the words on one side of the box. This side will now be the front of the box.
Allow to dry thoroughly.
Spray the outside of the box with the spray varnish. Remember to work in a well-ventilated area when spraying the varnish.
Allow to dry.
Turn the box around and spray the inside of the box with the varnish.
Now to work on the lid: Lightly sandpaper the whole lid, and dust well with a dry cloth.
Paint the top of the lid with the mother-of-pearl rose acrylic paint.
Allow to dry and add a second coat.
Turn the lid around and paint the bottom of the lid in the same way.
Rub the top of the lid with the candle on the areas where you want to add an aged look.
Paint the top of the lid with the antique bronze acrylic paint and allow to dry.
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Use the sponge to give the bottom of the lid a wash with the antique bronze acrylic paint. Allow to dry thoroughly.
Sandpaper the top of the lid lightly on the areas where you have applied the wax.
Use the mother-of-pearl rose and plum acrylic paints to add detail to the daisy.
Glue the daisy to the top of the lid.
Allow to dry thoroughly.
Spray the top of the lid with the spray varnish and allow to dry.
Turn the lid around and spray the bottom of the lid with the varnish.
This Valentine's Day, turn an ordinary pine box into a beautiful keepsake trinket box. Fill the box with a special gift, such as a few Hershey Kisses, or hide the engagement ring inside this box and pop the big question on Valentine's Day.
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Either way, this box is sure to make your loved one feel spoiled.
I like giving small, personalized gifts to my friends. I am especially fond of giving handmade soap bars that I buy from a fellow crafter. I decided to make this candy-striped trinket box, so that giving a bar of soap will become something extraordinary.
sandy blevins Bronze Craft Medal for All Time! 67 Crafts
November 30, 2007
Easy hand painted trinket boxes for gifts. Perfect for a Christmas or birthday gift. Either stencil or free hand your design onto box. Paint the design. Let dry, then seal.
Kids love to collect and save small treasures. Learn how to make a frog trinket box from an egg carton on this page which contains photos and easy to follow instructions.