Friday, February 1, 2013

DIY: How to add embellishments and dimension

this post could be subtitled - Turning a tea box into a jewellery box...


I recently picked up an old Twinings Tea box - it was one of those items that I had given my mother years ago that has made it's way back to my house now. As I already have a smaller one of these (and don't even drink tea myself) I thought I'd use this box in some other fashion. I don't have a jewellery box so I decided some white paint would turn this old tea box into a perfect one.  It will be good to not have my jewellery all tangled up in a bowl!



I wanted to cover up the Twinings name that was etched into the top of the box (painting alone wouldn't cover it) so I decided to make my own embellishment which would also add to the prettiness of the box. I have a hand made fleur de lis stencil that I made years ago by printing out a picture from the internet then tracing it onto plastic and cutting it with an art knife.


I stuck the stencil onto the box to cover most of the Twinings logo and used magic tape to hold it into place. I then mixed up some wood filler powder (I use Agnew's Water Putty Multi Purpose Filler) and spread it neatly over the stencil with a butter knife (a bone handled vintage one at that but I was doing this at night and couldn't be bothered going to the shed to find the proper tool)


I then carefully prised off the stencil and was left with a little French flourish. I left it to dry for a full day and then with a fine sand paper, I sanded down the rough edges and got busy with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I gave the fleur de lis and edges a coat of French Linen first and then gave the whole piece two coats of Old White. This way, when I distressed the detail, there would be pops of soft grey peeking through. Once I was finished, I glue gunned a piece of upholstery fabric onto the inside of the lid (to cover the red fabric with Twinings logo) and gave the whole piece a few coats of Miss Mustard Seed's Finishing Wax.


I am not in to fine expensive jewellery - I have some nice silver pieces but I'm not a fan of gold. It doesn't suit my skin colour so I steer away from it - it makes jewellery shopping much cheaper also! My parents owned two jewellery shops for several years in Eden and Merimbula but I was in my teens and definitely not into collecting jewellery. Actually I am still not that into it. I have a few pieces I like but I am never one to hanker over Tiffany's windows or diamonds etc. Actually speaking of diamonds, I still haven't had my engagement or wedding rings fixed from when I broke my arm in the USA 18 months ago. They are platinum and took 45 mins to be cut off my swollen fingers and are very mangled. The jeweller has them but I was meant to go back in for resizing once my arm was mended but I completely forgot! I'll have to get that sorted sometime soon.


So what do you think? Isn't that an easy way of adding detail very cheaply. I will definitely be using stencils and wood filler again in the future to add a little flourish and dimension to furniture and boxes. I love how this turned out. If you want some more ideas on adding dimension using different products see Villa Barnes - I love what Rosemary does with Gesso and paint. 



yours in white painted salvaged goodness xx
Fiona xx

15 comments:

  1. so cute! i love that it has the separators. they are handy! and love teh fleur de lis!

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  2. Oh Fiona, what a great Idea!!!!! You have me wanting to rush out into hubbies shed and grab the wood filler.... Your little box is beautiful, thank you for sharing xx

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  3. You're a clever cookie! This is a wonderful idea and it looks so pretty :) x

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  4. I love this. What a clever way of adding detail, and I love that you have reused the tea box. I'm going to keep my eye out for one. So clever!
    newest follower via email.
    blessings,
    Henrietta

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  5. Awesome, I am so going to try this out sometime. Fiona, you have the best ideas and are so generous with your knowledge - thanks so much!
    JJ x

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  6. Great idea! I'm going to have to try this!!

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  7. great idea. I love using stencils and this variation looks beautiful and cost effective. thanks

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  8. Ha quedado muy bonita, Fiona.Te ánimo a seguir trabajando en ello. Yo también sigo a Rosemary de Villabarnes. Abrazos, Blanca.

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  9. I love it.I think I will start looking for a box like this.great job.also instead of using putty for you lid you could have used Jo Sonjas texture paint.it also does a good job-love dee x

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  10. This is a great idea. I picked up some Martha Stewart stucco paint--not sure that is what it's called, but it is thick and now I know what I am going to use it for. I also love the pot you have!

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    1. the stucco paint also works well, Susan. good luck with it.
      I love that pot also!
      cheers Fiona x

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  11. This is a great idea! Looks fantastic! Thanks for posting. x KL

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    1. thanks K-L, I am looking forward to doing more. such a cheap way to make something more interesting.

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  12. Thank you for the inspiration! I have a Twinnings box which I have wanted to paint for ages, and this has given me that push. Such beautiful work - thanks for sharing!

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sorry if you have trouble commenting, you can always email me at lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com