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Garden Sanity by Pet Scribbles

DIY Decorative Boxes: two ways

This post and photos may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Any supplies used may be given to me free of charge, however, all projects and opinions are my own.


November 6, 2013 By Laura

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DIY Decorative Boxes: two examples of unfinished wood boxes transformed with dye, paint, rubber stamps, buttons, beads and tape!

Yesterday I showed you how I dyed several unfinished wood items that are commonly found at craft stores. It was easy to get a saturated color all over each wood piece, and I loved how quickly the wood absorbed the dye.

You can learn how simple it is to dye wood in my blog post: How to Dye Unfinished Wood. Simple title, for a simple technique!

I love the embellishing phase of crafting. I might start with an idea in my head, but how it changes and develops depending on what materials I use is always part of the fun, and part of the anticipation! And with that in mind, here are two styles of decorated wood boxes . . .

First idea: a playful button box!

Colorful Button Box - dyed orange and decorated with duckling duck tape, paint, and buttons!

For this bright orange box, I decided to go with a modern, playful style.

Because of its small size – just 4.5″ x 2.5″ x 1.5″ – I thought it would be sweet as a pretty yet functional little box that holds buttons.

Decorative tape:

First I used a small Duckling size of Duck tape, which was the same size as the bottom half of the box, and wrapped it around the box.

Stamped phrase:

While applying the duck tape, I couldn’t get the phrase Good things come in small packages out of my head, so I stamped it on the top of the box using small alphabet stamps and Staz-On ink in black.

Stamped words using tiny alphabet stamps and Staz-on black ink

I love using these tiny stamps, because I always end up with words and phrases in a playful style. You often see words done in this way on cards and gift items in stores these days, as it’s a popular look.

Buttons:

What’s a button box without buttons? Exactly! I chose some colorful buttons which matched the decorative tape and adhered them with mini glue dots onto the box lid around the words.

DIY Decorative Box: using dye, paint, duck tape, rubber stamps and buttons


Border:

As a final touch, and to create more definition to the top of the box as if it was a framed piece of artwork, I painted the decorative edge of the lid in white craft paint, purposely letting some of the paint show up on the top as a border. Nothing precise here, as the less perfect the more playful it looks. (Just don’t get too sloppy!)

The last step? Add – or start – a button collection inside the box!

What's a DIY button box without colorful buttons inside?

Second idea: a sweet and shabby weathered wood box!

This box also started out unfinished, and also went through the same dye bath as the previous orange box.

DIY decorative box dyed with orange Rit Dye

I then dyed the box in a second color – a dark purple – before further embellishing it.

An unfinished wood box gets dyed (twice!) and decorated in a sweet, shabby way!

I’m sharing the full tutorial over at Live Creatively Inspired today, where I’m a guest contributor. Click over and learn how I put this box together!

Unfinished Wood Box Craft - dyed twice and decorated! Full tutorial at livecreativelyinspired.com

Which style is your favorite?

I hope these two ideas inspire you to make your own decorative boxes. Because of the many styles and sizes of unfinished wood boxes available, as well as the myriad of dyes, paints, glitter, and embellishments, it’s easy to come up with something truly unique every time.

And with gift-giving season approaching, you can create something special for your best girlfriend, your daughter, or as a teacher’s gift.

So which style is your favorite?

Happy crafting!

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Filed Under: Crafts & DIY Tagged With: Craft Tutorials, dying wood, gift box idea, handmade gift ideas, rit dye, unfinished wood, wood crafts

Previous Post: « How to Dye Unfinished Wood
Next Post: Christmas Ornament Makeover with liquid gilding and metallic glazes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. malia

    November 7, 2013 at 3:30 am

    Great ideas Laura, you are SO creative!

    • Laura / The Shed by Pet Scribbles

      November 7, 2013 at 8:35 pm

      Awwww, thank you Malia! I’m so glad you like the boxes!

  2. [email protected]

    November 7, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    Wonderful ideas! My niece would love to make one of these for a jewelry or treasure box.

    • Laura / The Shed by Pet Scribbles

      November 7, 2013 at 8:43 pm

      Thanks Paula! I think these boxes are perfect for a girl’s special treasures! 🙂

  3. Laurel @ Ducks in a Row

    November 8, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    This is an idea that is right up my daughters’ alley! Thanks!

    • Laura / The Shed by Pet Scribbles

      November 8, 2013 at 10:46 pm

      Sounds awesome Laurel! Definitely let me know if you or your daughter make some — I’d love to see what you create!

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Welcome to Garden Sanity by Pet Scribbles. I’m Laura, an artist and self-taught gardener. Gardening is therapeutic for me, peaceful and calming. I write articles and film videos centered around my own gardens, with plenty of plant suggestions and gardening tips. I’m glad you’re here and happy to share my garden inspiration with you!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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