Beautify the surface of your work space and organize all your essential tools in a decoupaged, dome-shaped, lunchbox. The vintage, dome-shape of these lunchboxes allow room for a variety of desk accessories that you would rather not have scattered all over your desk. Make one for yourself, or if you are lucky enough to find more lunchboxes, make a fully-loaded one with cards, envelopes and note pads for a friend. If a desk organizer isn’t your thing, then consider making one to house your cosmetics on your vanity.
I used old book pages for my decoupaging material, but wrapping paper, sheet music or any ephemera paper could be used.
Materials:
Book pages
Scissors
Ruler
White glue
Water
Jar with lid
Dome-shaped lunchbox
Sponge brush
Sandpaper
Old leather belt
Black cotton fabric scrap
Instructions:
Step 1
Cut several book pages into pieces approximately 2-inch squares. There is no need for each square to be exact.
Step 2
Pour an equal amount of white glue and water in a jar. Place the lid on the jar and shake until the glue and water are mixed thoroughly. This is your decoupage adhesive. It will give your surface a matte finish.
Step 3
The edge of the lid overlaps the rim of the lunchbox by about a 1/2 inch. Close the box and turn the box with the back facing you. Apply the decoupage adhesive to the hinge of the box and a small area above and below it using a sponge brush. Apply the adhesive to the back of a paper square. Place the square over the hinge and smooth out using the sponge brush. Press and mold the dampened paper around the shape of the hinge. Continue adding squares until the hinge is completely covered from the side edge of the box to the other.
Step 4
Apply squares to the back of the box and the outside arch of the dome lid. Cut the paper squares to fit around the handle. Allow the paper and adhesive to dry thoroughly.
Step 5
Using a small scrap of sandpaper, sand the paper over the hinges. Sand until the metal is exposed. This will allow the lid to open and will enhance the vintage finish.
Step 6
Open the lid of the box. Continue to apply squares to the ends and front of the box. Cut the paper around the latch. Do not cover the latches. Cover the edges of the box and lid openings by folding the squares over the rims. Completely cover the inside of the box and lid, covering the inside hinges in the same way as the outside hinges. Allow the paper and adhesive to dry thoroughly. Sand the inside hinges in the same way as the outside hinges.
Step 7
Cut off the end of an old leather belt using scissors. This will leave you with a straight end. Place the straight end above one of the lunchbox latches and lay the belt over the lunch box dome. Most likely the end of the lunchbox handle will prevent you from laying the belt smoothly over the dome. Using your scissors, cut a notch in the belt so that it fits around the handle. Fit the belt around the handle and continue to the back of the dome. Cut off the belt at the edge of the dome lid. Using craft glue, glue the belt to the dome. Repeat over the other latch on the lid with another section of the belt.
Step 8
Tear a 1/2-inch-wide strip of black cotton fabric. Apply a dot of craft glue to the back of the handle, on one end. Place the end of the fabric strip over the glue. Apply a line of craft glue on top of the handle, along its length. Wrap the fabric strip around the handle until it is covered. Apply a dot glue to the back of the handle on the remaining end. Place the strip over the glue and trim off the excess.