Crafting with Paper Mache Boxes

A recent trip to Hobby Lobby didn’t result in getting what I went there for (drawer pulls – do they even carry these?). Instead, I saw some plain yet adorable paper mache butterfly boxes and knew just what I wanted to do with them. I was tired of walking around the store looking for the drawer pulls that I never found and wanted to get busy decorating my three butterfly boxes.

 This is one of the finished box lids. I meant to take a picture of the plain, unadorned boxes,
but in my excitement to work on them, I didn’t think of it until some work had been done.
The boxes were plain, and I covered them in book pages using Mod Podge to adhere the pages to the box.
I had a copy of Wuthering Heights and traced the box shape onto the pages, and then cut out the shapes.
Once the pages were affixed with Mod Podge, I added bee and butterfly graphics from The Graphics Fairy.
I thought a graphic inside the box would be a nice touch. This is the biggest box.
For the lid of the big box, I cut out part of the title page from the book. I like the graphic on it.
Then I added a few butterflies and a bee for some color.
For the finishing touch, I added lace to the edge of the box lid.
Once all the paper was on the box, I applied a final coat of Mod Podge to seal everything.
I treated the backs of each box a little differently.
I lined the middle-sized box with the first page of Chapter Two.
I wanted each box to be a little different.

For the lid, I chose another graphic from The Graphics Fairy, staying with touches of blue.
What would we do without The Graphics Fairy? She’s so generous to share her treasures with us.
The back of the middle-sized box has a butterfly on it, also from The Graphics Fairy.
The smallest box has a blue butterfly inside.
You can stack all the boxes …
Or just a couple …
Or not at all!
This project was really fun. I think I just like working with paper in general.
The boxes cost $1.99, $1.49, and 99 cents. I already had the book, lace and Mod Podge.
So all in all, this project cost me $4.47.
I’ve got a jewelry box I found at Goodwill that I’m going to do next …
… but it has to wait until after my daughter’s wedding this Saturday.

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37 Comments

  3. Hi Jennifer!

    How charming! I just love little boxes and these are so unique. They would make wonderful gift boxes for a little trinket.

    Hobby Lobby had drawer knobs in lots of cute styles (at the store I used to go to). I miss that store 🙁

    xoxo Bunny Jean

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  5. Your little decorated boxes are so sweet! They would be perfect for organizing jewelry. I have only been to Hobby Lobby once, and really wish there was one close to me. Fun project!

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  7. I love what you did with these boxes, they turned out perfectly, the written paper is fabulous and the graphics are beautiful, good combinations, I stared at your boxes quit for sometime hehe, I really liked them. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. I was just here to let you know Cowgirl up is featuring your post on the lovely doors, and then I saw this adorable butterfly box project. I sure hope you are linking this one up at cowgirl up too, cuz it is just too darling!!

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  12. These are very pretty. I took some time to look back on some of your posts and I have to say that I love your home. Ours is over 110 years old and we have lived here 20 years. We are about to build a new home now. I think we share a love of cats. Glad I found your blog. You have some wonderful decorating ideas. Deb (Ontario, Canada)

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  25. Oh! These boxes are just lovely, congratulations! You’ve inspired me a lot. I love decoupage and working with book pages is so nice.
    Besos desde Argentina. Silvina.

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  31. Gorgeous! They look so lovely all together as a set. If you’re looking for another place to share your creative projects, check out Etcetorize. Party starts later tonight..would love to see you there!

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  36. Found you via Jennifer Rizzo’s blog — what a fun project! And just so you know, I was in a Hobby Lobby for 45 minutes looking for knobs, and even after having an associate direct me to the right section, it took me another 10 minutes to find ’em!

    Reply