This Altered Trinket Box is a great (inexpensive) project for those that what to learn how to "alter" things. I've made sure to add in many small details that will help you obtain this great vintage look!!
Let's get to the tutorial!!
SUPPLIES
Paper Mache Trinket Box
Hymnal Pages or Sheet Music
Acrylic Craft Paints (browns, black, & gold)
Gloss Decoupauge Medium
Lace (optional)
Miscellaneous decorations (optional)
Step 1: DECOUPAGE & AGE OUTSIDE TOP
Cover the box top's outside using thin pages of music, such as old hymnal pages.
Note: If you don't have old hymnals or sheet music available, another great option would be old sewing pattern paper.
Using a fine mist bottle, spray the decoupauged top with an aging/distressing ink.
Gently wipe away the excess and cover any missed areas and let dry.
Step 2: DECORATE INSIDE THE TOP
Cut a piece of music to fit inside the top. If you're anything like me, this will come out sorta "wonky".
To cover any cutting mishaps and to hide the paper mache, paint the inside rim with dark brown acrylic craft paint.
Using a strong tacky glue, glue lace to the inside edge of the box top. Set aside to dry completely.
Step 3: PAINT A FAUX WOOD GRAIN
I didn't care for the paper mache's appearance so I decided to create a faux wood grain on the bottom part of the box.
Paint a coat of light/medium brown over your entire surface.
Add a tiny bit of gold onto a foam brush, dab off the excess until the bruss is almost dry, then gently dry brush the gold paint onto the surface very sparingly and always in the same direction..
Repeat the dry brush technique using a medium/dark brown, then black, then light/medium brown again.
To finish the look and to seal the outside of the box, just add a couple coats of glossy decoupage medium. In my opinion this gives the faux wood grain a varnished type of look!!
Note: I chose to add little wooden feet to my trinket box, but this is totally optional.
Step 4: PAINT THE INSIDE OF THE BOX
Paint a couple coats of gold (or other color) acrylic craft paint over the inside of the box. Seal with decoupage medium.
I think the trinket box looks great at this stage, so you may choose to leave it as is.
However, I chose to decorate the top so I've included those instructions as well - just keep reading!
Step 5: FOWER WITH MUSIC LEAVES
(optional)
Find a paper flower with a realitively long stem.
Cut the flower's stem to the desired length, but do not throw away the extra stem!
Cut 2 leaf shapes out of sheet music and glue them back to back over one end of the excess stem.
Using a strong tacky glue, attach the flower stem to the leaf stem.
Decoupauge over the attachment point to seal.
Step 6: DECORATE TOP
Gather up miscellaneous items to use on your top. I used cheesecloth, my paper flower, buttons, a decorated puzzle piece, old stamps, an old key, and a filigree finding.
If you choose to add cheesecloth, just decoupauge it to the top before you add your other embellishments.
Layout your items before gluing them down to make sure you're happy with their placement.
Once you find a layout you like, simply glue them down using a strong non-yellowing tacky glue.
FINISHED!!
Thanks for reading!! Until next time...