Work Table Wednesday - Artisan Boxes

On my worktable are new boxes. I've said over and over...I'm obsessed and I can't stop making them. Last weekend at our opening I sold one of the cutest ever...

Girls Rule Box

I made it with a teenage girl in mind and doggone if one didn't walk right to it and pick it up. We both were thrilled! If you will notice the cute little knob on top...It's from an old pot lid I think...just one of those things in my stash waiting on a job. I thought it was the perfect touch.

Nowhere does it say boys drool, but we all know...they do! 

My boxes have evolved somewhat since the first ones I made out of necessity. (See below). I made them for the jewelry armoire I repurposed from an old clock case. You can read that story here...A Clock Case No Longer. I'm finding that they all need feet of some sort and a special topper that is something recycled and sometimes repurposed.

My very first embellished boxes

Although the stickers were nice at the time I'm  using them less now and only for recycled jewelry boxes where only the tops are embellished.  These little boxes were not finished inside so I decided to use them as gift boxes and made four more for the armoire.

My second set

These are a little more refined with finished insides and hand painted embellishments.

This week I am working on a new 7 inch square box that is also a clock...

Beginnings of clock box

It's a commission and I have until the last of September to get it finished and shipped, but I have to get with it
before my busy season hits full force. This is what I have so far....papers, rhinestones, clockworks, wooden ball feet and ribbon...

...and a hand painted hair hide top.

I've been saving this pink paper for almost a year waiting on just the right box. I love the tooled look. It's already been sealed inside and out for a nice sheen and protection for many years of use.

I have some pretty cool ideas for the rest of it...only I don't actually have all the parts I plan to use yet!  Ebay here I come!

I did, however finish a cowboy box last week and it's going in our etsy shop when I get a minute to list some things. I can see this on a bookshelf with leather bound books and trophies...or up on a chest of drawers to the side of whatever is framed above it. I hope that whomever buys it will let me know how they use it.

7" Square Box

Off to bed, tomorrow's a new day for a new box!

It's Handmade...and Vintage

Vintage map covered box

I love it when I can use something from my junk stash and it turns out to be quite attractive....

This is a 7 inch square box covered in a vintage 1960's NC/SC road map.

I think I keep adding marble feet to my boxes because just that little bit of color and height takes them from just a box to an accessory.

The ribbon reminded me of tire tracks or a checkered flag from the race track.

The old reflector and keys have been in a box for years waiting for a project so I knew immediately when I started searching for a knob what I needed. I thought the gas key was the perfect accent with the old car key.

I  like to finish the insides too.

...and the inside of the tops.

This one is available in the shop for our local shoppers. I will be listing lots of other embellished boxes in our Etsy shop, Ranch Dressing Online, this week. I will keep you posted.

If you are interested in seeing this box or others, give us a call. It's gorgeous on a book shelf or sitting on a table...and it earns it keep by holding what ever you want to hang on to but keep out of sight.