Most of us have done it: sat and looked at catalogs which feature an assortment of things you can purchase for decorating your home. Wall art, rugs, picture frames, lamps – there’s no end to the choices! When you think of a beautiful decor piece your first thought is not likely a cigar box. That’s because you haven’t yet seen just how nice a cigar box can look after you turn it into an actual decor piece for your home. The finished piece can become a jewelry box, a memory box or just a decor piece that sits and looks beautiful.
Cigar boxes are great for making various other things after they’re emptied. Even though they are made of cardboard they’re sturdy and rigid. A cigar box alone, of course, is not a decor piece but there are many different techniques you can use to change the look of the printed box. Choose the techniques you want to create the finished piece for your own home. Give the box a theme, a color – a whole new appearance. After you do you’ll be quite impressed with the new home decoration.
A cigar box has an attached lid that hinges on one side simply by bending. The box itself is very smooth and has no texture. Give it texture and dimension by adding embellishments to the box. Glue ribbon, narrow lace, small-diameter twine or other items onto the box before painting it. Be sure to cut all embellishments even with the sides and attach them so that they do not interrupt the movement of the lid. Glue things across the lid, vertically on the lid, or just create a look for the center of the box lid. Cut fabric in the shape of a flower or cut a monogram from thin cardboard. Decorate just the lid or create designs on the box as well. Use scrapbook corners to add even more interest to the box. Gold spray paint works well to give the box an elegant look in minutes but you can paint the box any color you want.
Do a completely different look on the box by using pliable wire. The wire you choose should be some that is easily bent by hand. Use a coloring book page or other pattern to twist the wire into an image like a bicycle, sailboat, puppy, flower or another design. Use tiny strips of paper tape to affix the wire to the box lid (or an area of the box). Paint the entire box, lid and all, covering the wire and tape with paint as well. The finished look is very impressive. Do something a little different by painting the box and using copper wire (or any color of wire) to create the design.
It’s hard to believe that you can make a cardboard box look as though it’s an expensive leather-covered box but it’s true. Simply tear pieces of masking tape and stick them to the box, the lid and the bottom. The pieces should be relatively small and should not be torn in neat patterns. Instead, rip off pieces, stick them to the box, even overlap some of them. After the entire box is covered use any shade of furniture stain to paint the box. Or, if you don’t have stain, use shoe polish. It might take more than one coat of stain or polish to get the desired look you want. Use little and create an old, faded look. Use more and give the appearance of something polished and new. Finish with a clear lacquer to shine or eliminate this step if you’re going for an antique look.
Create a keepsake box for a bride or for a baby by starting with a painted cigar box. Choose a nice lace piece at a fabric store and cut it into an image like a rattle or even two champagne glasses. Glue the lace onto the box top and allow the glue to dry. Now use fabric paints (they dispense from a squeeze bottle) to outline the lace image. Recipients can store photos, favors, notes and other keepsakes in the box. The box will be even more elegant if you use fake fur to line the inside. With fur the seams you need to make will not be as visible as with other fabrics. The fur doesn’t have to be ultra-long; it can be a slightly furry fabric like velour.
Although it can be somewhat time-consuming a gorgeous decor piece can be made by covering the box with fake jewels. The jewels are available in a multitude of colors, sizes and shapes. Paint the box first then begin attaching the jewels. Small jewels will take much longer than using larger ones. Make sure you align the jewels on the lid, to begin, just to make sure they won’t be hanging over the edge. To get the perfect results you might need to leave small spaces between the rows of jewels or you might need to choose slightly smaller jewels. Use a rolled-up piece of tape to help you position the jewels without dropping them.
The painted or decorated cigar box itself does not exactly make a unique decor piece, as promised. Make it much more substantial and noticeable by creating legs for the box. Fat, wooden beads work great but you can also use small thread spools, painted bottle lids or even small blocks of wood. You don’t have to stop at selecting just four beads or lids. Create unique legs by combining things. For example, glue on large-diameter, short dowels then glue wooden beads to those. This creates legs which have a unique appearance. Choose something similar to make a knob for the lid of the box. You can glue on a real knob from a home improvement store or just attach a large wooden bead that matches the legs.
Instead of legs try making a pedestal for the cigar box. Build it with no tools when you use wooden pieces and a hot glue gun. Choose a flat, wooden piece at a craft store – make it two. Also purchase four short, fat wooden dowels. Glue the dowels to the four corners of the wood piece then glue the second wood piece on top of the dowels. Paint it the same color as the box then glue the box on top of the pedestal.
Lots of people have cigar boxes lying around their homes – even if they don’t smoke cigars! Somehow we come by the boxes but never know what to do with them. Sure, some of us throw bill receipts in them, others keep their craft supplies inside, but surely the boxes were made for something much greater! Start your own cigar box decor project and you’ll be oh, so impressed with yourself when you’re finished! You’ll be very proud to display your new decor piece.
Reference:
- Purchase paints and other cigar box embellishments here: www.acmoore.com
