Altered Box of Helmar - Tutorial

What a fun week of creating I have had!  My project for the Helmar Altered Art/Mixed Media week is the rejuvenation of a box that was just too charming, and sturdy to throw out. More often than not, gift boxes are the perfect item to 'alter' or 're-create', and using Helmar products makes the task so much easier!  It is amazing once you start altering items (no matter what they are) how your eyes seem to scan everything in sight, in a totally different light. I might possibly have to live till I'm 302 to get through all the projects I have currently stashed in my mind...

Firstly, I noted all measurements of  the box, adding 1/4" to each side edge, which allows for scoring and folding over for a neater appearance/finish. This box was where I discovered the idea to use hair elastics for clasping of my memory books and other altered projects. When the 1/4" edges have been scored, cut out the little square corner piece of each and every corner.

My adhesive of choice is Helmar 450 Quick Dry for adhering the paper to the box - why, because it is a fast drying adhesive, that still allows for manipulation while drying to ensure all edges are in place with only one glue-session.  Gentle persuasion of the paper/glue as drying, allows for a perfect finish.  This is the first adhesive I have been able to do this with, and I cannot express how excited I am to come across a product which cuts my 'waiting' time down to next to nothing, does not buckle paper, and gives a perfect finish.

Apply Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive to the side pieces first, making sure to take the adhesive right up to the very edges of your paper.  Without delay, apply paper to box sides one at a time and gently manipulate folds into place.  Repeat process with all sides.  The reason I apply paper to sides first, is so that no joins are obvious on the front.  Also, my reason for using a striped paper, joins are less obvious than a pattern.

Measure and cut base paper, slightly smaller (a few mm's) and again apply using Helmar 450 Quick Dry, and the same for the top of the box, using a more decorative paper of your choice.

Use a Crop-O-Dile to punch a hole through the centre of the lid of the box, and directly below on front of the box, and insert an eyelet into each hole.  Weave a hair-tie from inside through the eyelet hole of the top of the box, adhere using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, and allow to dry.

I have been a button collector for many years, so I had oodles of fun seeing which button looked 'right' on my project.  To attach the button, a wire-tie from a garbage bag was threaded through the button shank. 

Buttons with shanks are most appropriate for this project, as they allow a gap that the hair-tie can wind over and around with ease.  To finish the inside, twist tie around and then spread both ties out across the inside of the box on either side of the button - adhere in place with a smearing of Helmar Silicone Adhesive Sealant.  Works a treat! 

Time to decorate!  I have a love of lace, so I found a nice piece which could be cut up, and gave the lace a swipe over with Walnut Stain Distress Ink, giving a more vintage appearance. Also, any areas where the lace may fray when cut, an application of Helmar Fray Stoppa, was applied before cutting into pieces.

Helmar Silicone Adhesive Sealant was used to attach the Tim Holts Ideology Foundations (legs), and there is no way they will ever budge!  The Helmar Silicone Adhesive Sealant is superb for metal objects, and very little is required to do the perfect job.

I won't go into detail on each and every part of my 'decorating', as I am sure those that wish to replicate will do so, adding their own flair to the project. Decorating was a lot of fun, using a variety of mediums and adhesives to 'match'.  Layers of paper, flowers, lace, leaves, and butterflies were adhered using Helmar 450 Quick Dry which allowed me to continue working without having any delays waiting for glue to dry. A light coat of Helmar Professional Acid Free Glue was applied to back of ballerina cut out, and adhered gently pressing with a make-up sponge to remove any small air-bubbles beneath the paper. No buckling of the paper, soooo loveeeee this glue!

Metal charms were added using the Helmar Silicone Adhesive Sealant - this adhesive is a must have for anything metal, though can be used on most surfaces, including concrete.  Gemstone Glue was applied to the areas where beads were reuqired, and there is no way those beads will ever come loose.

The Prima Marketing flowers 'Camille Almanac' edges were painted with Creative Inspirations Paint - 'Gold'

Thanks for visiting today, and don't forget to visit the Helmar Design Team Blog for further 'adhesive' inspiration!

Helmar Products Used:

Gemstone Glue

 Helmar Silicone Adhesive Sealant

Helmar Professional Acid Free 

  Helmar 450 Quick Dry

 Helmar Fray Stoppa

Other:
Gift Box
Papers: Prima Marketing 'Fairy Belle Collection' - 'En Pointe' and 'Marcelle', Glitz 'Pretty in Pink'
Flowers: Manor House 'Nikita', Prima Marketing 'Camille Almanac'
 Creative Inspirations Paint - 'Gold'
Misc Craft: Lace, Hair Elastic, Eyelet & Crop-O-Dile, Button
Zutter 'Distress It All'
Ink: Ranger Distress Ink - 'Walnut Stain'
Tim Holtz Idea-ology - 'Foundations'