Things You'll Need:
- Bookbinder’s PVA or any white glue outside of Elmer’s (it’s too brittle)
- A thick, hardcover book
- Large binder clips
- A wide paintbrush for gluing
- A very sharp scalpel or razor
- Foil or wax paper
- Something very heavy to press your book with, or some c-clamps and 2 boards
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Step 1
Find a book that’s nice and thick. Make sure it won’t offend your sensibilities to proceed to destroy said book. I like Reader’s Digest Condensed Books or out of date science books.
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Step 2
Figure out how thick you want the box part of your book to be and insert a sheet of foil or wax paper to keep this section from sticking to the lid section as you glue it.
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Step 3
Clamp book closed with the binder clips.
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Step 4
Use your paintbrush to brush glue along the top, bottom and the edges of the book. Do a few coats, cleaning up any runs immediately.
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Step 5
Let this get a little drier, then glue the box section to the back cover and the lid section to the front cover.
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Step 6
Place the book under something very heavy while the glue dries (at least a few hours).
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Step 7
Open the book when the glue has dried and outline the inside of the box. Come in at least ½ inch from the edges.
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Step 8
Use your scalpel to cut out the inside of the box. You may find it helpful to use a metal ruler to guide you.
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Step 9
Clean up the edges really nice (you may want to use sandpaper), then glue the edges of the paper inside the box.
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Step 10
Press again under something heavy. Make sure you use another sheet of foil to protect the lid from getting glued to the box.
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Step 11
Hide your valuables inside, or get creative. These make really cool memory boxes with a little paint, some photo transfers, and found objects that mean something to you.
