Thursday, August 12, 2010

Artist's Bookmaking Week 7: Boxmaking


Last week in my Artist's Bookmaking class we made three different kinds of boxes. From left to right:
  • a cardboard tray from a single sheet of cardboard,
  • a cardboard clamshell, also from a single sheet, and
  • a tray from book board, covered in bookcloth.
The first box was pretty easy; we made our measurements, scored with cardboard with a bone folder, folded it up and glued. We pulled the corrugation from the tabs at the end of each corner so that the corners glued up neatly. The second was more difficult for me and I had to make a couple of attempts, and I still wasn't happy with the results. It was more of a pizza-box design and required more measuring and cutting.

The third was similar to the first but we used five pieces of book board and the pieces were glued together instead of folded. It wasn't too difficult to get the measurements right but the trick was covering it; since we're doing everything in class, we often don't have time to let things dry properly and flipping a box around and manipulating fabric over it is difficult when it's still wet from the glue. But I managed! Actually if I showed you the other side you'd see it's pretty messy; I had some glue-control issues!

Tonight we're going to continue to work on our book-board boxes and make a more elaborate structure out of them. It's our last class, so next week I'll show you the completed box and also some pictures of my personal project. I can't believe it's almost over- it's been so fun having this class to go to every Thursday. I'm going to miss it!

11 comments:

JoAnn said...

I've been enjoying the posts about your class - will look forward to the finished boxes next week!

Mystica said...

Me too. I never know what you are going to learn next!

Library Cat said...

It looks like fun and you will have created some wonderful memories - thanks for sharing them with us.

Zibilee said...

Love the boxes! I think it would be really neat to make a few of these and decorate them for gifts. The ones we made were kind of flimsy, as they were made from card stock, but they did look nice when they were all gussied up! Glad you are having so much fun in the class, Marie!

Anonymous said...

I have enjoyed your series on this class. It sounds like so much fun.

bermudaonion said...

If you can master this, it would be great to make just the right sized box for gifts.

Kathleen said...

I can't wait to see the completed box. I really love the idea of making a box to hold all of the love letters and cards that my sweetie has given me. I've tried to find one to buy but haven't found the one that speaks to me yet!

wisteria said...

What a fun class for you. I would never think to take a class like this. Thanks for the pics.

caite said...

books...boxes...what's next, bongo drums? :-)

Marie Cloutier said...

Joann- it came out neat- I can't wait to show you!

Mystica- me too!

LibraryCat- :)

Zibilee, yes, I think so too. They're a little tricky but doable :-)

Jewwishes, yes :-)

Bermudaonion, yes, definitely!

Kathleen, you could make your own! :-)

Wisteria :-)

Caite, that's the plan :-)

caite said...

coool.