The beginnings of an Apothocary

I loved the idea of making an apothocary when I saw one on the Laura Carson's blog Artfullymusing.blogspot.com.  However, with Josh going back to school and the item is for a low cost/no cost swap, a recreation was not going to happen.  So I decided to make my own version using what I had.  I really want to keep the budget low only buying what is absolutely necessary.

So Day 1 (Sunday):  I went through my stash to find items that I could use along with paper that would be suitable.  I pulled a variety of supplies together.

The base of Laura's is 4 black paper mache boxes that are sold for $4.99 each.  So roughly $20.

I found in my stash two wine boxes that I paid $5 each for on sale.  I am going to divide the cost out because I am going to use the lids and the hardware for different projects.  So I am going to assign $2 for each base of the box, $2 for each lid, and $1 for each set of hardware to make it easier to track cost.  2 box x $2 = $4 for the base.  Since it came out of stash there was no out of pocket cost.

I removed the hardware and put into a container with a lid so I don't have to step on screws later.  I always seem to knock them on the floor.  I took off the lids which I am using for subway art.  Pictures to come on that.

I painted in just cheap black paint the edges, corners, etc of each box.  

I used skor tape (sookwang) the one inch strips to put between the bases of the two boxes.  I am not listing consumables into the cost as it is just stuff I use on many projects and keep on hand.  To get a better cost picture - can add $5 onto the final cost.

I did paper the box yesterday - i will show those pictures tomorrow.  So just the base structure...I was able use stash, but actual cost was $4 not bad.

week 15 - tons of projects coming your way

So here are some halloween block sets I have made.  Love these.  I really have a good time putting these together....

Week 14 - more steampunk

I have had a TH stopwatch in my stash for a while.  I have been a little intimidated by it. I decided just to go ahead and make it.  I love the fact that you don't have to glue the paper down so that it can be interchangable.  I used a steampunk image from G45 Steampunk Debutante.  I added some clock gears, a IamRoses rose, a butterfly from the same paper that I glossy accented.  I also used glossy accents on some of the image.

Week 14 Part 2 - More steampunk

This is one of my thrift store finds.  This thing was hideous.  But I love boxes, containers, things with drawers, etc.  So I looked beyond the fact that it was hideously altered and the fact it was falling apart and poorly made.  I knew it had a little magic and charm in it that could be brought out.  Plus black spray paint fixes everything. (LOL)

This is the after shot.  I painted ot black. I then took off the little knobs and covered it with Graphic 45 OCS paper.  I added TH drawer pulls.    I papered the bottom of the inside of the drawers.  I added A block that I covered in the same paper. Then I added a clock to the front with a gear and a spinner.  I added the word Time, the number 2 (with gears) and then the saying "live the life you imagined"  I added some flowers to the front.  I cut out of black chipboard TH gears.  Then I used Inka Gold in Copper and hematite to color them.  Then I added TH gears to the centers to finish them off.  I layered them and added them to the back of the block to serve as a backdrop.

The before picture - I told you it was hideous.

week 14 - it is a steampunk world

I am living in a steampunk world or I wish I was.  I made some steampunk items for a swap with a friend.  I wanted to ake something different for her.  I found some great finds at the thrift store that I just fell in love with when I saw them.  One man's trash is another man's treasure.

First up:

Steampunk Wold..... made from a round lantern

I took out the center glass globe ( it was actual a plastic material).  I love that it was all rustyish on the inside to give it some character.  However, I did want to give it some elegance two.  So I wrapped the bottom part that held the globe in ribbon and then covered the seams with the double strand pears.  I made a circle out of chip board to fit in the center and cut a hole in the middle to fit around the pole.  I wrapped it in tule through the center circle and went around it to give it a puffy base.  then i added some tule to the bottom of it so when i put it in the bottom it would stick out.  I added my main pieces.  On the main pieces I added all kind of embellishments.  Unfortunately I stink at taking pictures and your really cannot see all the detail.  Wings, feathers, gears, clocks, crowns, flowers, butterflies, pearls, gem ribbon slidors, metal butterfly, etc. 


On this side I added glossy accents to the flowers and gears to her hair.  I added pearl strands around the edges.  I added flowers to the base with a memo pin and ticket.  I added a graphic 45 metal butterfly that I colorized with inka gold in different shades.  Around the outside I added gears and butterflies that had been glossy accented. On the top I added flowers, pearls, gem ribbon buckles, and gears.

 This is my favorite side.  Unfortunately it is not a good shot for the detail.  She has feathers and metal th wings on her wings.  I glossy accented the flowers on her had and her neclace.  I added a crown to the bird on her arm.  There is a watch, with a gear and clock hands right behind her right elbo.  I added gears to her earing and watch.  I glossy accented some butterflies and added them as well.  I filled the rest of the base with flowers.

 The Before Shot

week 11, 12, 13

Seems like the last few weeks have been a blur.  Between working tons of hours to going full speed on a large swap, I have lost track of time.  I was in such a hurry to pack up that swap, I didn't take pictures.  Bummer.  I am going to have to see how to get a picture from my phone to here that I did for a card swap.  Like how they turned out.


Here is a frame I did last night for my partner who wanted a green and yellow baby themed frame.  I really like how it turned out.

1. painted the frame in Inka-Gold Green Yellow.  I used a sponge to get an even coat and buff it.  It gives it a nice almost metallic sheen.

2. I traced the frame shape onto the Graphic 45 Little Darlings (G45 LD) green polka dot paper and cut out.

3.  I glued the paper to the frame and then sanded the edges. 

4.  I cut a strand of double stranded pearls to a single strand and put it around the window of the frame.

5.  I used a pearl fourish and adhered green and yellow IamRoses roses to it.

6. I used seam binding that was dyed with lemon zest Glimmer Mist and tied it at the bottom part of the frame.

7.  I added a cut out from the G45 LD, inked it, and curved it slightly and glued the two edges to the frame.

8.  I cut out a sheet of the words from the same paper pack in green and glued it to the insert of the frame to give it a more finished look until my partner puts a picture in it.