Make a Klimt-Inspired Gift Box

Even just a hint of a sparkle or metallic sheen is enough to catch our attention and get us to take a second look. Gustav Klimt knew it, and so do we…  Here’s an idea for making some decorated boxes to package your holiday gifts in that are sure to be noticed…and appreciated!

Materials and Tools:

Photo storage box, or other box with a lid that fits over the top

One piece of paper that is large enough to cover the top of your box, plus several smaller pieces of paper in colors that will complement one another. Choose nice quality paper that paint will adhere to. To calculate the size you’ll need for your large piece of paper, measure the top of your box (length and width and the depth of the sides (of the box top). Then, take the length measurement plus two times the side measurement plus another inch  to make the flaps to glue on the inside. That is the length of the piece of paper you will need.  Now, do the same thing, substituting the measurement for the width of your box top.(Example: Our box was 5″ x 7″ and the side of the top were 1 and 1/2 “. So we take 7 plus 3 (2 times 1 and 1/2) plus 1 = 11 and 5 plus 3 plus 1 = 9. So we needed a sheet of paper that was 9″ x 11″ to cover the top. If you want to cover the bottom of your box, you’ll need to make similar calculations for that. But in our case, we just painted it.

A rubber stamp with a strong graphic design that appeals to you. Something around an inch and a half or two inches in size is good.

Colored ink (or you can use the stamp with paint if you prefer)

Acrylic paints in at least three colors that go well with your chosen paper.

Acrylic paint in a metallic color–gold, silver, copper, bronze, etc.

Decoupage medium such as Mod Podge

Texturing comb (or old hair comb with wide teeth)

Adhesives: glue stick, tacky glue, etc. You can probably make this work with whatever you have on hand.

Sponge, natural or large (like for car washing) torn in smaller pieces

Misc. supplies: Pencil, paint brush, ruler, scissors, paint dishes or plastic lids

Directions:

Note: If  are using a very light colored paper and your box is so dark it might show through, give the box top a coat of white, or light-colored paint. Set the bottom of the box aside for now.

1. Begin with your large sheet of paper. Squeeze small amounts of each of the three colors of acrylic paints you are using onto the paint dishes or plastic lids. Dab a piece of sponge into your first color of paint and pounce to distribute the color. Sponge streaks of paint on the paper, varying the amount of paint from heavy to fairly light. Repeat this process with the remaining two colors. Let dry.
2. Use the rubber stamp you have selected with ink or another color of paint if you prefer and stamp randomly across the painted paper. Let dry.
3. Mix the metallic paint you selected with the decoupage medium. Adjust the ratio to your preference. I usually use about 1 part paint to 2 parts Mod Podge. Brush this glaze over a section of your paper. While the glaze is still wet, drag a comb through the glaze in a circular motion. Wipe the comb off and drag it through again going in an opposite direction.
4. Continue this process, working in small sections of the paper until it is completely covered in swirling, circular designs.
5. Now, look at the smaller pieces of colored paper and think how you might want to decorate them. These are going to be used as embellishments on your box top. You may want to leave some plain, or perhaps use the sponge to load the stamp with metallic glaze and stamp that design randomly on some. Use your creativity here.
6. Let this all dry. The glaze is going to take awhile to dry , so this is a good time to work on the bottom of your box. As suggested earlier, you can paint it, if you like, or cover it with paper. (If you are going to cover it with paper, follow the instructions below for how to cover the top, but–of course–use  the bottom in this case) Or, if you were lucky enough to get a box that was attractive to begin with and complements the colors and designs you’re using for the top, you may want to just leave it as is.
7. When the papers you have decorated are dry, it is time to cover your box. Turn the paper upside down on your working surface. (If you are fortunate enough to have more paper than you need, you may want to choose the part of it you’d like to have on the top of the lid and proceed accordingly.) Place the top of your box upside down on the part of the paper you want to cover the top and trace lightly around it with the pencil.
8. Next, turn the top up on one of its long sides (keeping in line with the pencil mark you made) and trace around that. Repeat with the other three sides. (you will have made a large “t” on your paper.
9. Measure and mark an additional 1/2 ” flap on all  four ends of the “t.” These are the flaps that will fold over and be glued to the inside.
10. Add a 1/4 ” flap to both the right and left sides of each long edge. These will cover the corners of the box top.
11. Cut out the “t” shape from the paper along the marked outlines.
12. Apply glue or adhesive lightly to the center of the “t” and place the box top in the center, carefully lining it up with the lines you traced around it.
13. Beginning with the long sides, apply adhesive and press and smooth the paper into place, folding and gluing the 1/2″ flap inside the box lid and the 1/4″ flap at each end over the corners to the short side of the lid.
14. Apply adhesive and wrap the paper over the short sides of the lid, again folding and gluing the 1/2″ flaps inside the box.
15. To embellish the top of your box, cut or tear pieces of the other papers, combining them with scraps from the larger sheet, if desired, and experiment until you find a design you like. Then, glue those pieces in place.
16. Voila! You’ve created a gorgeous gift box! Too bad you have to give it away (better make another for yourself…)

Our Klimt-inspired gift box was, itself, inspired by an idea in the book, Decorated Boxes, by Mary Lynn Maloney. Check it out for even more great ideas!