Imaginarium blog post 1

The Eyes Have it boxes,

and Metamorphosis Frame

by Sue Smyth 

Hi Bloggers

                                 One of the things I like to make most is little boxes,

 they are

great for storage, gifts and decoration.

This time I decided to make them a little spooky

so I can use them at Halloween too. But not 

too spooky so that I could have them on display all year.

They always look good in groups or pairs, so 

I have added this small tin box with a dragons eye trinket.

I have layered paper towel over the tin and adhered it 

in place with gel medium. Then simply decorated 

the box along the same lines as the tutorial below.

I have started with a purchased box and built

up a platform of tissue and gel medium

so I could insert 2  dolls eyes in to it.

Then I have added the small cogs around the sides and

adhered in place with gel medium

On the sides I have adhered plastic trim and chipboard.

Both of these are very light weight items so 

will not add to the weight of the box ..something to 

consider when making a project like this.

Paint all over with Black gesso, getting into the cracks and crevices. 

Rub over the entire box with Graphite Inka Gold when

the Black gesso is dry.

Then add layers of other colour, I have used

purple and turquoise, and even a little green.

Finally add gold paint over the raised areas

with your finger tip to give a brighter 

finish.

I have double embossed the bracket frame for the top

with Stampendous Aged Gold emboss powder.

Then added 2mm gemstones from Couture Creations.

This just nestles over the top of the eyes to frame

them and hide the rough edges.

Add metal feet and a keyhole trinket, also some pearls and rhinestones

as accents and you are done.

Imaginarium Chipboard 

Metamorphosis

My next project is a small deep sided frame. I have 

made a statement piece called Metamorphosis.

I wanted to illustrate that things change, people, times and ideas.

We often burst through our restraints and become free.

I have sprayed the frame with matt black spray paint 

and rubbed over inka gold metallic paints.

The chipboard girl has been sprayed black too, and I 

have used Mega Flakes and flitter glue to gild the 

shape. 

The cage over her is chicken wire which I have 

embossed with fine gold embossing powder.

I made a little wreath with small flowers and wired 

stems.

The back ground is simply chipboard covered 

in paper towel, adhered in place with gel medium.

I have roughly painted it with white gesso and added the ornate

corners.

Then smear the middle with texture paste and insert

chips of egg shell( this also adds to the metamorphosis theme)

When dry paint the egg shell with gesso and spray with 

inks, I have used green glimmer mist and chocolate 

dylusions on the corner.

Rub gold paint over the textured background to 

highlight the chipboard and egg shell.

Paint the butterflies with Matt black spray paint and rub

over with inka gold mediums of your choice.

Layer over each other 

Add girl shape and trinket. and place in the centre of the frame.

Then add trinkets above and below the butterfly 

and decorate with the wreath, small bird cage, and birds

nest trinkets as you like.

Imaginarium chipboard 

Happy Crafting