Plain to Pretty: A Wood Trinket Box Makeover

-
 Have you seen the little boxes at the dollar store?  They're about 4" x 2" x2", solid wood, and great for storing small items.  
They don't look like this.  As a matter of fact, they're actually very plain.  
But, before starting this project, let me welcome you to the Creative Craft Hop hosted by Sara from Birdz of a Feather.   If you just came from Sara's blog, welcome to the Cottage.  At the bottom of this post I'll direct you to the next stop on this hop, but be sure to visit all of the other stops too for some amazing inspiration. They will all be listed.

Now, let me show you how this plain box was transformed in just a few steps!

It all started with some leftover napkin scraps and Mod Podge.
I slid the part of the skewers I cut for the Pizza Peel Wreath between the top and bottom so they wouldn't get stuck together.
A little Mod Podge was brushed on.
Remember to separate the layers of napkins. 
Gently flatten the napkin to sides of the box and let it dry.  
An exacto knife was used to cut the paper and separate the top from the bottom.
Another layer of Mod Podge was applied and smoothed with some plastic wrap.  
I have a few 'decoupage tips' to share.  
If a decoupage project is in your future, you'll definitely want to read them.

The excess paper was removed by sanding the edges.
The same procedure was followed for the top.
Now that the entire box was decoupaged, it needed a 'little something' to finish it off, so I cut a felt flower on my Maker.
Naturally, I forgot to take a picture of it as it came out of the Maker, but here are the remnants:
A small pearl was glued to the center.
Two leaves were cut from green felt.  Here's one:
It was folded in half and stitched to give it some dimension.
All the pieces done:
They were glued to the top.
The box was done!
What's that?  You're wondering what is stored inside such a small box?  
My silicone finger guards.  They're a perfect fit and now they have a pretty place to live!

I hope you'll pin, share, comment, and follow.  If you click on those 3 little lines at the top left of the blog (on the Home page), you'll see where to find me...or click on the icon below to share.

Remember, this is a blog hop and next on the hop is Donna. Once you've stopped by to see her, be sure to visit all of the others for more inspiration!  Here's the list:

Comments

  1. Birdz of a FeatherFebruary 17, 2022 at 7:23 AM

    Great tips Ann! Everything should have a pretty place to live like this. Beautiful makeover!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tammy Patina and PaintFebruary 17, 2022 at 7:45 AM

    Ann what a beautiful box. Those napkins are so pretty they look like fabric! Love the rich colors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 18, 2022 at 7:33 PM

      Thanks, Tammy. I love them, too and wish I could find more of them!

      Delete
  3. My thrift store addictionFebruary 17, 2022 at 8:23 AM

    Gorgeous! I am smitten with your peacock napkins! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lady of the ManorFebruary 17, 2022 at 8:57 AM

    I’ve not tried decoupage yet but want to. Love how this turned out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 18, 2022 at 7:34 PM

      You must give it a try, Zenda. It's a game-changer!

      Delete
  5. Gail @Purple Hues and MeFebruary 17, 2022 at 9:13 AM

    Ann, you certainly have a keen eye on spotting great items to update from the dollar store. I always seem to have a problem imagining what to make! Your wooden box turned out so pretty! Decoupage is one of my favorite techniques and you really created a beautiful piece to hold your finger guards! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 18, 2022 at 7:39 PM

      Oh, I don't know about that, Gail. You make some amazing things! I love decoupage, too, it such an easy way to transform things.

      Delete
  6. thepaintedapron.comFebruary 17, 2022 at 9:26 AM

    So pretty Ann! I love to decoupage, it's like magic! Your felt flower is adorable, the perfect finishing touch!
    Jenna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 18, 2022 at 7:41 PM

      You are so right, Jenna. It is like magic...and it's fun to do!

      Delete
  7. decorateandmorewithtip.comFebruary 17, 2022 at 10:25 AM

    This looks so high end Ann. Love the coloring you added to the box. Very cute.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 18, 2022 at 7:42 PM

      Thank you, Terrie. The napkins did all the hard work!

      Delete
  8. Donna @ Modern on MonticelloFebruary 17, 2022 at 3:26 PM

    I have seen these boxes but have never thought about making something so pretty with it. You definitely created a special item. Enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. GinaFebruary 19, 2022 at 6:28 PM

    That's so pretty - I have a small box like that and I think mod podge is in its future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 21, 2022 at 7:57 AM

      Thank you so much, Gina. Mod Podge is such a great way to transform things!

      Delete
  10. Kim February 19, 2022 at 7:59 PM

    That box is so pretty. I never would've guessed it was a napkin decoupage project. At first sight, I thought that it was a velvet fabric, it's so rich looking. Lovely job! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 21, 2022 at 8:02 AM

      Thanks, Kim. You know how I love decoupage!

      Delete
  11. Life as a LEO WifeFebruary 20, 2022 at 12:36 PM

    Tuned out so cute! I love the colors on peacock themed items. Almost makes me with I had a place where their colors fit in. Great tips for using Mod Podge! Happy hopping with you!
    Niki ~ Life as a LEO Wife

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 21, 2022 at 8:03 AM

      Thanks, Niki. My craft room furniture is painted in a teal color called 'Peacock' so this fit right in!

      Delete
  12. CarolFebruary 22, 2022 at 3:01 PM

    This is a gorgeous project! I love the paper that you used for decoupaging. And the felt rose is the perfect embellishment to finish it off. Thank you for linking up at Talent-Sharing Tuesdays.
    Carol
    www.scribblingboomer.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 22, 2022 at 7:22 PM

      Thank you, Carol. I love decoupage and this is one of my favorite papers - glad you like it!

      Delete
  13. Marie-Interior FrugalistaFebruary 23, 2022 at 11:18 AM

    The pretty peacock napkin looks like fabric on your pretty decoupage trinket box!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Handmade in IsraelFebruary 24, 2022 at 8:18 AM

    How sweet! You did a lovely job of it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Allyson @ Southern SunflowersFebruary 24, 2022 at 9:32 AM

    Very pretty! I'm loving the peacock napkin design and colors. Looks great mod podged onto your box.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lisa notes...February 24, 2022 at 11:04 AM

    You really performed magic on this little box! I love how it turned out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 24, 2022 at 7:16 PM

      Thank you, Lisa. I think the napkin did all the work though!

      Delete
  17. My Hubbard HomeFebruary 24, 2022 at 8:17 PM

    LOVE the colors! I need to visit the dollar store :)
    hugs,
    Rachelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 25, 2022 at 7:34 PM

      Thanks, Rachelle. You just never know what you'll find there!

      Delete
  18. Our Hopeful HomeFebruary 24, 2022 at 9:25 PM

    What a gorgeous transformation! Love the choice of napkins. Wish my Dollar Tree had those boxes! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 25, 2022 at 7:31 PM

      Thanks, Rachelle. You just never know what you'll find there!

      Delete
    2. AnnFebruary 25, 2022 at 7:33 PM

      Thanks, Kathleen. It's so strange how each dollar store has its own unique inventory.

      Delete
  19. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasFebruary 25, 2022 at 11:21 AM

    Ann,
    What a cute project! When I sold Victorian style crafts on EBAY, I used baby wipes container, covered them with fabric and lace and them embellished them with ribbon roses and cameo's.They were very popular at the time!! Where did you get your finger guards...I have no fingerprints left after all the burns I have sustained from my glue gun...So much so that when I worked, I had to use my thumb for fingerprint ID as it would not pick any upon my fingers...LOL!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMarch 3, 2022 at 7:18 PM

      I'll bet they were pretty, Debbie! My husband bought the finger guards for me from Amazon. Many years ago, when applying for a new teaching position I had to be fingerprinted. It took 3 tries before they got good ones. My husband told me I missed my calling as a jewel thief! LOL

      Delete
  20. Joanne March 3, 2022 at 6:08 AM

    This is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Break Out Those Wine Corks!

-
Image
You've been self-isolating, drinking some wine, and saving the corks for a project.  But, before you think I'm accusing you of drinking too much, we both know that every wine-drinker has a stash of corks somewhere in their house.  It's time to dig them out and finally DO something with them.   Welcome back to 10 on the 10th , a group of bloggers sharing ideas and inspiration for less than $10.  This month we're sharing Tips While Social Distancing and we've got some great ideas for you.  Let's get started..... First, find those corks.  They're probably hiding in drawers or a cabinet...maybe in a box or bag.  You can find them. I have faith in you!  My first project is an easy one.  All you need is a hot glue gun, a can, and your corks.  This jade plant has been living in an aluminum can ever since I cut it away from the original plant.  It's doing quite well, but, let's face it, this container is not very pretty.   I chose my corks from
Read more

Wine Cork Wreath

-
Image
Just a note...I promised to share the wreath and picture in a previous post.  Here they are: Now, if you're anything like me, you've been saving wine corks for forever because there is a fabulous project that you will just HAVE to make with them.  The problem is, you haven't found it yet! Have no fear, your project is here! To get started, you will need lots of these: How many, you ask?  I estimate that I used between 200 and 250 corks.  You will also need a straw wreath, like this: Don't forget to remove the plastic! This next step is extremely important! Wrap some wire around the wreath and make a loop for hanging.  There is nothing worse than getting your wreath all done and then say to yourself, "Hmmm, how the heck do I hang this thing!?! Now you're ready to get started.  Be sure to cover your work surface to protect it.  I used a lovely old vinyl tablecloth that I had laying around.  You know the one - you
Read more

How To Decoupage Dresser Drawers - With Napkins!

-
Image
Welcome back!  Last week you saw a garage sale dresser transformed with paint and decoupaged napkins.  If you missed it, click here .  Today I have a little tutorial showing how it was done.  Let's get started, shall we? The drawers were sanded down to bare wood and the edges were painted black to match the rest of the dresser.  The napkins were found at the Dollar Store. Notice they are 2-ply napkins?  You only need one, so separate those layers! Iron the one-layer.  It helps when you are ready to lay it down on the wet decoupage medium.   Since the napkins were not wide enough to cover the entire drawer, I was going to have to piece them together.  These napkins also had a very definite pattern that was going to need matching, so it was time for some measuring.  I found the middle of the drawer and matched it to the middle of the napkin.  Then I marked the edges of the napkin on the edge of the drawer with chalk.  See the white (chalk) dot? There are actually
Read more

No More Polycrylic for My Tables!

-
Image
Behold, my newly refinished table - once again!  Yes, this is the second time this little beauty has been refinished. The table was originally refinished in 2013.  I carefully sanded, stained, and sealed it with polycrylic.  Everyone in blogland was singing the praises of polycrylic, so I thought I'd give it a try.  It went on great, clean-up was easy, and it dried quickly.   Win-Win, right?  WRONG!! After about a year and a half, I started noticing some wear on the edges of the table.  You know, the spot where people rest their arms?  As time went on, these spots actually started to feel a bit sticky and you could see them: It was really difficult to get a picture of them, but, if you look carefully where the arrows are pointing, you'll see dull spots in the finish.  We lived with it for a while, then I told my husband, "As soon as the weather gets nice, this table has a date with my sander!" Time for my full disclosure.  Normally, I sand things d
Read more