Tomorrow is our challenge day on the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog but we thought we would offer a sneak peek at one project today. It was created by our talented guest designer, Judi Kauffman.

By Judi Kauffman

My project for the October Designer Challenge couldn’t be easier: Find a plain box. If it’s pretty as is (like the hinged silver box that once held Ethel M candy), decorate the lid with embossed, ink-altered, and sanded Shimmer Sheetz. Tuck some Shimmer Sheetz jewelry inside. Or paint a simple papier mâché box before decorating and filling it.

Make a matching gift tag with a cardstock rectangle and some Shimmer Sheetz scraps and you’re done!

(Don’t miss out on the Shimmer Sheetz Jewelry tutorials, which I have linked after the supply list.)

Instructions:

1. Back Shimmer Sheetz in color(s) of choice with Clear Double Sided Adhesive Sheet. Shown: Australian Opal Gemstone. Option: Use two or more colors instead of just one. The lid of the silver box measures 11.5” x 8.25”, requiring two 5” x 12” pieces of Shimmer Sheetz and two 5” x 12” sheets of Clear Double Sided Adhesive. (Leftovers can be used for gift tags.) The papier mâché boxes are 2.5” and 3”; smaller pieces of Shimmer Sheetz are needed.

2. Paint the papier mâché boxes in color(s) of choice. I chose Dazzling Metallics in Shimmering Silver to coordinate with the colors in the coating of the Australian Opal Shimmer Sheetz.

3. Emboss the Shimmer Sheetz with your favorite folder or folders. Alter with alcohol inks (before or after embossing); lightly sand

4. Cut into pieces to put onto the box. Tip: Use a craft knife, straight edge, and cutting mat rather than a paper trimmer. It is easier to accurately cut Shimmer Sheetz this way – paper trimmers can often slip. Use a mix of 1” and 2” strips and rectangles in assorted sizes. The placement will be determined by the size of the box you have selected. Another tip: Cut paper strips and rectangles first to test the layout and placement. Arrange and rearrange as needed before cutting the Shimmer Sheetz. For round lids, trace a circle template onto lightweight paper and use it as a cutting pattern.

5. To complete the boxes: Add linear peel-offs between the Shimmer Sheetz pieces and around the edges or sides of the lid of the jewelry box. If you like more contrast use black instead of silver (shown) or gold (not shown). Skip this step if you like the look of the lid with just the Shimmer Sheetz pieces.

6. Use cardstock rectangles and Shimmer Sheetz scraps to create gift tags. Punch or die cut a hole at the top of the tag. Add metallic cord or ribbon. Option (as shown): Die cut a decorative reinforcement and small decorative circles to accent the tags. Reminder – The Metal Adaptor Plate is required for die cutting Shimmer Sheetz for this step.

Supplies:

Elizabeth Craft Designs –

Shimmer Sheetz 5” x 12” in color(s) of choice (shown – SS 0225 Australian Opal Gemstone)

Embossing folder(s) of choice (shown – E120 Bark)

Border peel-offs in color(s) of choice (shown – 1016 Lines in Silver)

501 Clear Double Sided Adhesive Sheets (5” x 12”)

803 Metal Adaptor Plate (needed only if cutting decorative reinforcement for tag)

Other –

Dazzling Metallics in Shimmering Silver DecoArt

Box with flat hinged lid or small papier mâché box

Paintbrush

Sanding block

Alcohol inks and ink applicator tool

Cardstock (for gift tag)

Fine gold and silver cord

Links to Shimmer Sheetz Jewelry Tutorials:

• Double-Embossed Droplet Earrings
• Shimmer Sheetz Droplets & Flowers Earring Quartet
• Shimmer Sheetz Faux Hinge
• A Charming Shimmer Sheetz Necklace