How to Make Boxes With Oddly Shaped Tops

Use boxes to display ornaments or pack handmade gifts.

A box is a mysterious thing -- you can lift, shake, smell and listen to it but it rarely reveals its contents. Make your next gift even more intriguing by packing it in an oddly shaped, homemade box. Oddly shaped boxes that resemble stars, hearts and triangles can hold anything from homemade cookies to a new cell phone and your gift recipient will be none the wiser. Begin with a stenciled pattern that is larger than your present and build the walls around the item following the structure of the top.

Things You'll Need

• Stencil
• Ruler
• Non-corrugated cardboard
• Scissors
• Tape
• Glue
• Hot glue

Instructions

Box #1

1. Use a stencil to trace and cut two 10-inch stars out of the cardboard.

2. Measure the width of the star points at the base. Multiply this number by 5 to find the perimeter measurement of the star's interior surface.

3. Cut a 5-inch-wide strip of cardboard 1 inch shorter than the length as the star's interior perimeter. Cut a second strip of cardboard 1 inch wide and 1/2 inch shorter than the previous strip.

4. Curl both strips to form two rings. Tape the ends of the ring together so that the cut ends meet but do not overlap.

5. Apply glue to the edge of each cardboard ring. glue each ring to one of the stars. Wait for the glue to dry.

6. Paint the box and decorate it as desired.

7. Fit the star with the lower wall, the lid, on top of the star with the high wall, the base.

Box #2

1. Cut out two heart-shaped pieces of cardboard. Trace the outline of the heart on the cardboard twice. Cut out the first heart within the drawn border, and cut out the second heart 1/4 inch outside of the border so that one heart is slightly larger, the lid piece.

2. Set aside the lid piece.

3. Measure the the smaller heart. Cut a 4-inch wide strip of cardboard the length of the perimeter.

4. Lay the heart on the table and glue the cardboard strip to the edge of the heart so that the strip is upright, perpendicular to the table. Apply a thin stream of glue to the edge of the heart and press the cardboard edge down into the glue. Start and end at the tip of the heart to disguise the end of the strip.

5. Seal the seam between the beginning and end of the strip with glue.

6. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 with the larger heart using a 1-inch wide strip.

7. Paint the box halves as desired. Fit the larger heart piece, the lid, over the smaller heart, the base.

Tips & Warnings

• Use these box designs as a base for a papier mache or clay project. Wrap the boxes with fabric or tissue paper for a fancier finish. Coat the boxes with varnish to protect them from moisture and dust. Vary the stencil used or the height of the walls to change the way the box looks. Cover the interior of the box with colored paper to hide the glue seams and provide a clean surface for homemade candy. Attach a ribbon to the lid and base to serve as a tether. Combine the tether with a loop-and-knot button closure for a more-polished product. Add bows, glitter or ribbon to adorn the finished box.

References

• "Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Box Making"; Doug Stowe; 2004
• "Making Memory Boxes: Box Projects to Make, Give and Keep"; Barbara Mauriello; 2000