Bedazzling Butterfly Boxes

Stephanie Rubiano

You’ve seen them on the cover of Somerset Studio…now is your chance to create your very own Butterfly Box! A glassed-in shadow box holds a wooden cut-out sporting real butterfly or moth wings, arranged among your favorite bits of papers, paints and other ephemera. Add a crown or other accessories fashioned from vintage tin and you are well on your way to dressing up Aunt Irma’s childhood photo in ways she never imagined! In this class you will learn how to use a jeweler’s saw to cut wood and metal, work with the metal itself, and play with some fun cold connections. Ideas for background finishes will be discussed, along with options for creating custom boxes.

Supply List:

• 5x7 or 8x10 glassed-in shadow box
• Jeweler’s saw frame-the deeper the throat the better (RioGrande German 150 mm (6”))
• Bench pin (RioGrande V-Slot Bench Pin and Clamp)
• Small bottle of adhesive- I recommend The Ultimate by Crafter’s Pick
• Scissors
• Hand-drill –I highly recommend the Fiskar’s version
• X-acto knife
  
  
• Optional tools (but it would be really, really great if you had them-you’ll probably want them anyway after this class!)
  
  
• Tin snips-Fiskar’s SoftTouch small scissors work great!
• Bench Block ( www.leejewelrycrafttools.com- metal surface on a wood base)
• Nylon/rawhide hammer
• Hammer
• Small clamp (American Tool QuickGrip Micro Bar Clamp-available @ Lowe’s, etc.)
• Center punch
• Metal files
• Color copies of family photos sized to your box
• Favorite papers and ephemera (think things to stand or sit your cutout on)
• Thin gauge metal from vintage tins and such, rusty bottle caps and cans, etc
• Other decorative items-acrylic paints, pens, etc.
  
  
• Kit Fee: $15
• 2 sets of butterfly wings
• Miniature Screws
• Socket wrench for screws
• Sawblades (6)
• Drill Bit
• Wire
• Sterling silver wire
• Wood pieces