Altered Metal Effect Box

Hello friends. I hope you’re all having a great time crafting . Today I, DT member Vidhu Thareja am back on the blog with a new inspirational project. This is my last project here, so I wanted to thank team Itsy Bitsy for having faith in my creativity and giving me the opportunity to be a part of their prestigious Design Team.

When it comes to choosing a gift for my loved ones, I prefer to go for something handmade. As festive season approaches, we all look for new ideas to create something unique and there is nothing quite like making something beautiful with minimal materials required in the process. I have designed a metal finish box, using some awesome craft supplies from the store. So let’s start the tutorial!

I selected an MDF box measuring 5*5*3 inches from my stash. I removed the hardware and sanded the entire box. Then, I primed the box with one coat of Little Birdie Acrylic White Gesso and left it to dry.

Next, I applied Little Birdie 2 in1 Mixed Media Paste and dabbed a wet sponge all over it. I did this to create some texture.

When the base was entirely dry, I applied Little Birdie Acrylic Black Gesso on the whole box, including the inner  portion of the box. Then, I started putting down designs on my box. For this purpose, I used 3 different Little Birdie 4*4 inch stencils. On the lid, I placed the ‘Timeless Mandala’ stencil and secured it with the help of masking tape. Then I applied 2 in1 Mixed Media Paste – White through the stencil with the help of a palette knife. On the bottom corners of the box, I secured the Dual Mandala Stencil with the help of masking tape and applied the same paste.

I wanted to add an interesting look to the inner side of the box, so I did stenciling with the same mixed media paste, applying it with the help of an old debit card through the Timeless Mandala and Garden Vine Stencils and then left it to dry. 

Next, I colored my project. I applied Camel artists’ acrylic colour – Burnt Umber along with Camel artists’ acrylic colour – Black. I used the same brush for both colors. First, I applied Burnt Umber and followed it up with black without waiting for the Burnt Umber to dry. I did the same inside the box too.  On  the rim  of  the  box,  I applied  Little  Birdie  Chalk  Paint-  Charcoal after diluting it with a few drops  of  water.

I wanted to highlight the stenciled part while giving it a metallic effect at the same time, so I dry brushed the raised part with Camel Artists’ colour- Silver. On the rim of the box, I rubbed Little Birdie Metallic Wax – Silver Glitz. To achieve an aged silver look, I rubbed Metallic Wax – Antique Gold on the stenciled parts and on some places on the rest of the box as well.I left it to dry and then attached the hardware. Since I used metallic waxes, I did not seal the project with varnish. If you feel that your project should be sealed with varnish, then apply Little Birdie Decor Varnish after a few days.  

Your beautiful box is ready to gift. A few more pictures of my project-

I hope you liked my project and found it interesting and that it inspired you to create something beautiful.

 I am excited to inform you that all these products come with a unique QR code!

Point your mobile phone at the QR code on the product & scan them to take you directly to our YouTube links where you can see how each of these products are used! Check out all our new products for QR codes in the future ( this will be either on the label or on cap of the bottle).

Use code VIDHU5 to buy any product at  www.itsybitsy.in and get 5% discount on your total bill.

Keep Exploring. Happy Crafting!

Vidhu Thareja

List of materials:

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