Have you ever made anything from a shoe box? I know I have! I’ve made everything from Nativity scenes to doll wardrobes to hanging sweater holders. There are many things you can make from shoe boxes and one of those projects is a hanging letter holder. A shoe box with a lid is all you need to make the box but you can further embellish the letter holder to make a decorative piece that’s cute yet handy.
Shoe boxes that have removable lids are just one type of box that can be used for this project. Remove the lid and cover it in fabric or decorative paper. Position the lid in the center of the fabric or paper and pull the ends up to the inside of the lid. Tape the paper to the inside of the lid but cut away excessive or bulky pieces, like at the corners.
Do the same thing to the box itself. Cover it with fabric or paper and tape the edges to the inside of the box. Now place glue around the inside perimeter of the lid and position the lid on the box. Gluing the lid on the box is necessary to create the perfect mail holder. If you’re using a different type of shoe box you’ll have to use an alternative method to cover the box.
For shoe boxes with attached lids tape around the lid before wrapping the box. Since the lid is designed with one side as a hinge it’s important that, when taping it, you make sure the lid is level. Wrap the shoe box like a gift and tape the edges of the fabric to the bottom of the box. The box bottom will become the back of the letter holder and will be against the wall where the edges can’t be seen.
After the box is covered you’ll cut out a hole that will allow you to insert pieces of mail. Lay the box on a flat surface and draw a square on the lid. Set the box where one short side of the box is facing you. Measure up to about a third of the way from the bottom and draw straight across the box. Draw the line to where it is about two inches from the side. Draw across until you are about two inches from the opposite side. Now draw straight up on both sides. Draw a fourth line across the top of the box lid staying about two inches away from the edge.
If you want, you can just take a square object, position it close to the top and side edges, then draw around it. Cut the square out of the box lid. Glue roping, gathered lace, ribbon or other objects around the opening to hide the raw edges. Other things you can glue around the opening include buttons, shells, fake jewels, beads or braided twine.
Instead of covering the box with fabric you can also use small craft rocks, shells or even an assortment of buttons or beads. Hot glue works well to quickly cover the box with any number of things you might already have around the house. These things can be added on after the lid is glued onto the box and the opening has already been cut.
A different design can be created by gluing felt to the ends of the shoe box then wrapping the entire box with wide ribbon. Glue the ribbon on as you wrap it around and around the box. After cutting the opening glue embellishments around it to hide the raw edges of the cut ribbon. When finished poke a hole in the back of the shoe box mail holder so that you can hang it on a nail. Or, use hot glue to attach a picture hanger. Hot glue isn’t ideal if the mail holder is heavy because of the embellishments.
Instead of shoe boxes, you can make something similar from product boxes, such as a large chocolate Easter bunny box. After covering it and cutting out the opening you can then embellish the front bottom part of the letter holder. Glue on a painted wooden shape, a plastic trinket, or even a monogram applique. Use silk flowers and leaves to make a floral design in one corner of the mail station or just use paint markers to write your last name.
It’s very inexpensive to make the mail holder but it will serve you well for years to come. Even though it’s only a cardboard box underneath, others will never realize it. After you’ve decorated it visitors will only notice how beautiful it is. Be careful who you tell that you made it yourself; they’ll be asking you to make them one, too!
Reference:
- Purchase embellishments here: www.acmoore.com
