Mixed Media Steampunk Altered Gift Box

I will admit I’m not really into the clothes and accessories associated with Steampunk, but I do love the altered tins and boxed in that Steampunk style. Steampunk is fascinating – Don’t you think? I actually made two because they were so fun to make. One was a gift card holder that I gave to my son for his college graduation and the other one I made was for my husband. Steampunk is a great gift for the males in your life. They can be done in different colors but for guys. This one was done in blacks and browns with the gold and cooper metallic waxes on top.

So here’s how I did it.

Supply List:

Gift box, tin(s) or what ever you are altering

Trinkets (keys, clocks, gears, clock hands, chains, old jewelry, chipboard owls, nuts and washers, etc.)

Beacon – Power Tac glue

Tacky Glue 50% with 50% water

Art Basics Clear Gesso

DecoArt Acrylic paints; Black, Honey Brown, Burnt Umber, Light Cinnamon.

Liquitex Varnish, matte finish

Step One

Select trinket that you think you would like to use on your project. First put them randomly around on the project to see if you have enough or too many. Either arrange the trinkets on the box or tin. Design on something flat and all one color. I have the perfect light blue folder made out of a soft fabric that I frequently use.

Start by putting the trinkets that you know you want in a particular space. For example, I knew that the corners of the gift box top would have my corner pieces. So start there and see what feels right next. Arrange the trinkets first layer then glue in place.

Step Two

Power Tac glue by Beacon is my favorite glue. This is what I use to glue my trinket on my box or tin first. It has no odor and hold everything in place, but will give you some time to adjust if you need it.

After all layer of trinkets are glued in place and dried, I use a 50/50 mix of tacky glue and water. Use a paint brush or a sponge brush to cover the entire top. This ensures that everything is secured in its place and isn’t going anywhere. Let dry completely.

Step Three

Covered the tops with clear Gesso and let dry.

Next, I painted the tops with black acrylic paint. Let dry.

The dry brush technique is always the best when applying top coats of any color. You want to have a layered look. To achieve this, keep adding light strokes of different colors of brown in this case to the top.

For the look of wood texture on the gift box after a coat of black acrylic paint, I used Home Décor Crackle – let dry. The colors I used to get the wood look were, DecoArt: Burnt Umber, Light Cinnamon and Honey Brown.

Step Four

The Metallique waxes are added to give it a rich metal tone effect in different areas of the box. I love the warm glow of Metallique waxes I added layers of Aged Brass and Copper everywhere.