They are small, about 3 X 3", and have brass hinges on the back. This week I was inspired to go with an Ocean theme. I went to www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com and did a search in their The Sea section. I found several images and printed up a page with several then I chose the little beach girl for my example.
First I painted the box with Acrylic paint and let it dry.
Then I trimmed the image to size and used Beacon Fast Finish Decoupage to bond the image to the painted box. I brushed one coat on the box, placed the image in the center and then put a quick coat over both the box and the image. I painted the first coat of fast finish quickly so the printer ink wouldn't smear. After that was completely dry I added another coat of Fast Finish over the entire top of the box.
The next step was to hot glue a couple of shells to the box.
Then I used Mod Podge and painted a thin layer around the edge of the image and to the edge of the lid of the box. I also painted the sea shells.
Then I used Extra Fine Glitter in "Glitz" and quickly covered all the areas I had coated with Mod Podge, and then tapped the box onto a paper plate to collect the extra glitter. The extra glitter can be re-used.
After that was dry I put a few stick on rhinestones on for one last bit of sparkle.
The bottom half of the box can also be decorated, but I felt that was enough steps for my class at the retirement center.
Now you have a special place for all those beach combing treasures.
Give it a try! Fun for a birthday party activity - print out any theme images and use paint colors to match.
