Journey Treasure Box by Linda

Hello Everyone !
It's Monday which means it's my Creative Team day and today we have our Lovely Linda to share her passion for metal and vintage. We definately have that in common. Her cute altered box has  stolen my heart.

Hi to everyone, Linda Cain here! It's my turn on the Finnabair blog, and I love every little piece of this project. It's totally what I love to make.
It's Vintage and it's Metal. What more could you ask for??? I really enjoy taking something plain and ordinary and transforming it into a little Work of Art.

1. I started with a plain white slider box - 3x5 inches - that I found in my stash. I wanted to create a framed vintage picture in a large metal Mechanical. So I looked at 2 pieces and decided I could cut out the center section of one. I then used a jeweler's hammer and bench block to pound it flat. This makes it easier to glue to a surface.

2. I've seen many ways to add tissue paper to book covers and frames on the internet. So I used the knowledge of them to create my version here. Thanks to all those who post these tutorials.

I tore up a sheet of plain tissue paper and started adding it to the box in small sections with Soft Matte Gel. Just have fun and make sure you get it all covered and stuck down well. When it's dry, add a coat of Heavy White Gesso. This will seal it and let you add paints or inks and keep the color true.

3. I started with Distress Stain, but when it dried, I didn't like how flat the color was, so I used a mixture of Brown Umber Acrylic paint and Acrylic Glaze to make the next layer a bit brighter and shinier. The Stain will blend in with the glaze since it’s not a permanent medium. That’s OK. It works.

4. This dried a darker and richer color, but I wanted more contrast, so I brought out the Inka Golds to add some more shine. Here I used the GreenYellow and Gold on the tops. I really created a great contrast.

5. I had some plastic corners in my stash that I painted black. Then I added them with 3D Matte Gel applied with a pick.

6. This shows the antique brass door pull I added to the end of the drawer with brads. You can stuff some ivory tulle into the drawer and add a few treasures, vintage keys, a button hook, etc. to save or give as a gift.

7. I've had several vintage brass labels for years. They're very heavy and really beautiful. I wanted to use one as a base. First, I flattened the large silver Flower with the hammer and spot glued it to the plate with 3D Gel. Then I wrapped brass 22 gauge wire around the two to secure the flower. The large brass Flower with the center cut out was added with 3D Gel.

The crystal glass dome was glued to the vintage picture and trimmed. I sealed the back of the picture with Gel to keep it from warping. When dry, add a dollop of Gel to the back of the dome. Glue this to the box and add the Special Screws over the holes in the brass plate. Then let it dry over night. That 3D Gel is amazing!!! It’s solid.

The Journey Mechanical was added as-is; it was perfect just the way it was. The last thing I did was add some more Inka Gold to the edges of the box and the corners to make them pop a bit more.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my little “Journey” here. Be sure to check out the links and as always ask any questions and leave your thoughts.

Your Friend in ART,

Linda

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