DIY Heart Box!

by allhandsactive in Craft > Gift Wrapping

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DIY Heart Box!

Intro_Image(Final).jpg

 

For Valentines day or Mother's day, this heart shaped box is a perfect homemade gift. It's easy and cheap to construct and looks beautiful when finished!

 


Tools

  • Inkscape / svg reader
  • Inkscape Files
  • Utility Knife / Razor Blade
  • Scissors
  • Ruler (13'' minimum)
  • Pen
  • LASER Cutter (Optional)

Materials

 

Prepare Pieces

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This step is best done using a LASER cutter.

(If not, you can try and hand-design this by printing the hearts on paper and using that as a template to cut the cardboard!)


Tools


Materials


What needs to be prepared

  • Top of the Heart Box, this is slightly bigger than the bottom
  • Strips for the Lid (3/4” x 13”)
  • Bottom of the Box
  • Strips for the Bottom (1” x 12 3/8”)


LASER Cutter Settings

  • For cutting: *DSJ:QIOWJDOQWIJ*
  • For marking grooves (this makes folding tabs easier): *JEIOC:EWJOEIJ*
  • For etching the text: You want to Raster Engrave the text.


Part 1: Roll the artisan paper over one sheet of cardboard. (Optional)

  

Part 2: Personalize the Top of the Box. (Optional)



Part 3: Laser cut the top heart on the fancy cardboard.

Careful to cut the outside, mark grooves on the inside lines, and *raster* the text on the top.

Cutting the Top


Rastering a Personal Message!


Part 4: Laser cut the bottom of the heart on regular cardboard.



Part 5: Laser cut the strips!



Part 6: Cover one face of a Top Strip in the artisan paper. (3/4'' x 13'') (Optional)

This one strip will be the outside facing side of your heart. Make it fancy!

Construct the Bottom

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MarkCenter.jpg
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GlueInsideHeartTabs.jpg
GlueOutsideHeartTabs.jpg
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This is probably the trickiest step. This requires dexterity and patience! Constructing the bottom first allows you to construct the top while the spray paint dries!


Tools

  • Utility Knife / Razor Blade
  • Scissors
  • Ruler (13'' minimum)
  • Pen

Materials

  • Bottom Heart
  • Strips for the Bottom (1” x 12 3/8”)
  • Wood Glue
  • Spray Paint (Optional)


Part 1: Prepare the Strips for Gluing

  • Take each strip of card board and mark the center of the long side.
  • Fold in half along the center
  • Curl the strips. This is like curling ribbons! (Watch Video for more details)
  • Strip A, the center of the strip will be at the bottom of the heart (The pointy part of the heart)
  • Strip B, the center of the strip will be at the top of the heart. (The valley of the heart)


Part 2: Prepare the Bottom Heart for Gluing

  • Fold all the tabs of the heart.


Part 3: Glue!

  • Lay the inside strip (Strip A) along the curve of the heart. Put wood glue on the side of edges of each tab and stick it to the strip.
  • Feel free to do this in two steps, one half of the heart and then the other half.
  • Wait a few minutes for the glue to dry.
  • You may need to snip off a little off the end of the strip in order for it to fit properly
  • Cover Strip B in wood clue and slowly stick it to the outside. Press along the edges to really get it glued to the strip and the tabs.
  • Wait a few minutes for the glue to dry.
  • You may need to snip off a little off the end of the strip in order for it to fit properly

Part 4: Spray Paint! (Optional)

  • Spray paint the finished product. Make sure you're in a well ventilated area. Recommended colors are White, Black, and Gold.

Construct the Top

Intro_Image(Final).jpg
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IMG_20130514_153908.jpg
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IMG_20130514_155425.jpg

This step is the same as  constructing the bottom!


Tools

  • Utility Knife / Razor Blade
  • Scissors
  • Ruler (13'' minimum)
  • Pen

Materials

  • Top Heart
  • Strips for the Top (3/4” x 13”)
  • Wood Glue


Part 1: Prepare the Strips for Gluing

  • Take each strip of card board and mark the center of the long side.
  • Fold in half along the center
  • Curl the strips. This is like curling ribbons! (Watch Video for more details)
  • Strip A, the center of the strip will be at the bottom of the heart
  • Strip B, the center of the strip will be at the top of the heart. This should have fancy paper on the outside of it!


Part 2: Prepare the Top Heart for Gluing

  • Fold all the tabs of the heart.


Part 3: Glue!

  • Lay the inside strip (Strip A) along the curve of the heart. Put wood glue on the side of edges of each tab and stick it to the strip.
  • Feel free to do this in two steps, one half of the heart and then the other half.
  • Wait a few minutes for the glue to dry.
  • Cover Strip B in wood clue and slowly stick it to the outside. Press along the edges to really get it glued to the strip and the tabs.