Exploding Boxes Craft

From the outside, an exploding box looks like a regular gift box.

Exploding boxes have their roots in the decorative arts of Japan, where they are used as unusual gift boxes or storage for trinkets. More recently, they are associated with scrapbooking. As crafters explore new ways to show off their photos and memorabilia, three-dimensional structures, as opposed to flat pages, have become popular.

The Structure of an Exploding Box

Exploding boxes are usually made from heavy card-stock. A four-sided box with a lid is the most common shape. From the outside, it looks like a regular gift box. When the lid is removed, the sides of the box can be folded flat to reveal the contents.

Decoration

The box may be decorated with ribbons and other trims.

Exploding boxes are often very decorative. The outside of the box and the lid are usually covered with patterned paper or fabric, but other interesting materials may also be used: lace trims, appliques and decoupage are common. Sometimes a ribbon or cord is tied around the four sides of the box to hold them up when the lid is taken off.

Uses in Scrapbooking

Photos or other images may be glued inside the box.

In addition to holding gifts or trinkets, exploding boxes can display photographs or ephemera. Paper images may be glued inside the side and bottom panels, to be revealed when the box is opened and unfolded. Some crafters make multiple boxes in graduated sizes, stacking them from smallest to largest and gluing the bottom surfaces together. This gives the crafter more surfaces for display.

References

• Glitter Adventure: Exploding Box Class