My friend Shonda (YT: SLIMCards) put together a fun Halloween YouTube Hop in which each participant created a 3D or altered item piece. I haven’t done one of these in a long time, and I thought this would be the perfect motivation to get my upcycling on!
I started with an old cigar box that I painted the corners of with DecoArt Black Gesso. This would allow me to be less exact in cutting the patterned papers that would line each side, top, bottom and interior section of the box. I used beautiful papers from Graphic 45’s “An Eerie Tale” and “Steampunk Spells.” Each patterned paper was cut to size and all the edges were inked with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Black Soot for a nice finished look. Then I used Beacon 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue to adhere some Tim Holtz Foundations Metal Feet to the bottom of the box to literally and figuratively elevate the box into something extra special.
With the box construction done, I decided to fussy cut one of my all-time favorite Steampunk images: the Steampunk lady with wings and a top hat, riding a bicycle. I inked the cut edges with a Momento Tuxedo Black Marker and popped her up on fun foam for a bit of added dimension. For the rest of the box lid, I decided to use a wooden knob to create a handle; a big black crocheted doily to add some softness; a metal key to add dimension to the Steampunk Spells focal image; a Tim Holtz Spinner and Compass Coin to add a whimsical interactive element; a Tim Holtz metal Keyhole for a box front accent; and a bunch of metal filigrees, odds and ends, and flower pieces to add a lush feeling. There was a lot of futzing but you can see the streamlined edited process in the video below.
The wooden knob and all of metal pieces were of varying metallic colors, and I wanted a more unified look, so I took all of them and put them through the following process: First I painted them all with more DecoArt Black Gesso. Once dry, I used my finger or a stiff stencil brush to coat each piece with DecoArt Metallic Lustre in Black Shimmer. That dries almost immediately so I next hit all the high points with a dab of DecoArt Metallic Lustre in Silver Spark. The dull and mix matched metal pieces all got a cohesive luxe gunmetal silver grey makeover!
For some finishing touches and a little sparkle and shine, I added Ranger Glossy Accents to some of the features of the Steampunk lady (bicycle handles, clock necklace pendant and goggles on hat); some Recollections ebony glitter glue to the centers of some of the metal flowers; and some Tonic Studios Nuvo Glitter Drops in Midnight Sky on the stamen of some of the metal flowers. These subtle little extras add some nice details without distracting from the overall focal points of the box lid.
As I mentioned at the start, this project is part of the So Boo-tiful Halloween YouTube Hop. Nine of us are making 3D or altered item projects. Many of us are also doing giveaways as part of the hop. If you’d like to leave comments for chances to win, check out the video below. All the hop stop links are in the description box of the video.Ā The following is a process video of creating this upcycled box:
Disclosure: Some of the links to products above are affiliate links, which means that if you click them and purchase something I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you), which helps me run my YT channel and blog. If you do use a link, I thank you for your support!
This Halloween Steampunk box is being entered into the following challenges:
SanDee and Amelia Steampunk/Industrial Anything Goes Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Monday A Walk on the Dark Side Challenge
Creatalicious Anything Goes with Optional Make Your Own Background Challenge
Through the Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Anything Goes Challenge
Crafts Galore Encore Anything Goes Challenge
613 Avenue Create Anything Goes with Optional Masculine Card Challenge
Just Keep On Creating Anything Goes Challenge
Wow! So creative. I love Halloween and Graphic 45. This creation is just fabulous. Thanks for joining us at creatalicous. Good luck. Maggie, DT
Thanks so much Maggie! I love Halloween and Graphic 45 too! š
This is such a gorgeous creation! Love the beautiful flower embellishments and the whole design is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. š
Tahnks so very much Meihsia! I really appreciate your kind and encouraging words!
OMG this is fabulous! I’ve never seen anything so wonderful. It must have taken ages to make. Thank you for all the instructions too. Thanks for sharing with us over at Lil Patch of Crafty Freinds this time.
Oh wow, thanks so very much for the incredibly kind words, Sue! I actually made it all in one day (I was way behind with work and had just 1 day to craft it and 1 day to edit my video for the YT hop). š TFStopping by and taking the time to leave such an encouraging comment. Big hugs, Kristina
Oh my goodness, this is absolutely amazing. Such a well made creation with so much detail, love this.Thanks so much for sharing your creation at
Anything goes October link-up, Just keep on creating
Susan xx
Thanks so much Susan! I had a LOT of fun crafting this. I love upcycling, Halloween and Graphic45 so it was a joy all around! š
Gorgeous creation! Love the embellishments! Thank you for sharing it with us over at Creatalicious Challenges.
xx Grietje
Grietje’s Kaartenhoekje
Creatalicious Challenges DT
Thanks oodles for your sweet comment, Grietje!
I absolutely love this! Stunning work. Thank-you for joining us at the Crafts Galore Encore Anything Goes Challenge. Hope to see you again soon
DT Lynda x
Awww thanks so much Lynda! I really appreciate your sweet, encouraging words!
Gorgeous box. Thanks for the video. You can send it my way. HaHaHa.
LOL Thanks so much Diana! I really appreciate you watching my process video and taking the time to leave a sweet comment too! xoxo
Such a lovely project, very well done!
Thank you for playing along with us at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends!
Hugs,
Kelly
Awww thanks so much Kelly!
Wow! Stunning steam punk box. Love all the various elements.
Thanks for stopping by at 613 Avenue Create.
Hugs Sheryl DT member xx
Awww you are so kind! Thanks bunches Sheryl!
Wow, this is a wonderful creation! I love every beautiful detail! Great idea doily background!
Thank-you for joining us at the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge October “ATG”.
Ileanaxx
Thanks so much Ileana! This was a little out of my comfort zone, but it was really fun!
Boo-tiful indeed! š
Great arrangement and I really never tire of seeing the steampunk woman on beautiful projects! Love your altered box!
Thank you for sharing it with us at SanDee&amelie’s Steampunk Challenges!
Claudia x
Awww thanks so much Claudia! I love that Steampunk woman too!
A wonderful project!
Thank you soo much for taking part in our “anything goes with optional make your own backgroundā challenge over at Creatalicious & good luck in the draw.
Hope to see you again in our new challenge as wellā¦
Hugs,
Melanie
(DT-Coordinator Creatalicious Challenges)
(DT Crafty Friends)
(DT The Sketchy Challenges)
Thanks so much Melanie!