You can use the same paper for both parts, of course, but the best looking boxes result from two coordinated papers. This paper (from the scrapbook store) had the look of brocade with metallic gold accent lines (they don’t show well in this photo). I cut two squares of each color to make two boxes. With scrapbook weight paper, it is advisable to trim 1/4" off two sides of the square that will be in inner box, instead of 1/8" as Karen suggests in the instructions.
I have made lots of these, but I still get a brain blip when it comes to that second from last diagram on the inside box (see right).
I’ve found it helpful to fold both sides up (as shown in the last diagram) before even starting to thinking about how this goes together. Then, it sort of leads you in the right direction. Sort of . . . If you possess a left brain, it will be easier for you.
Origami purists do not use glue in their folded creations - but I haven’t been asked to join that club yet - and I’m glad.
A little glue stick does wonders in this case and I even use paper clips to hold the side of the box in place while it dries. (Time is of the essence in this gift making endeavor and we need our hands for other things, don’t we?)
When you have folded both parts, cut an insert piece to slip inside the cover. This is your opportunity for cool embellishing. Make sure your insert fits into the smaller of the two cover slots - the one that will tuck inside the other one.
This insert can be cut from the paper used on the inner box, from metal, or from some other paper entirely.
Assemble the cover with the insert in place and mark the part that will show. Take it apart and embellish the insert.
You may just want to add a fancy brad as I did in the brocade box (shown at the beginning of this article), or do something more fancy that will really set off the papers you have used.
I used my own faux antique copper technique on this insert. The medallion is from Cre8it’s Buttons and Beads Jewelry Stamp Set.
If the paper you use seems a little flimsy, you can reinforce the ends of the inner box by adding a little piece of cardstock or mat board cut to fit inside. Add a decorative brad as a handle and hide the prongs of the brad behind the mat board piece. This will make it much easier to open a snug fitting box.
