Don't Be a Picklebump

A long time ago, I started writing how I upcycled a cigar box for storage. Part 1 focused on prepping the box. Part 2 focused on decorating the papers I used to cover the box. And I’m just now getting around to showing you Part 3 which focuses on decopaging the papers onto the box.

You’ll need the papers, the gesso-primed cigar box, Modge Podge (I used the gloss coat version) and a brush.
The first step is to take all those lovely papers you painted and tear them up into strips.

Start by covering a working area on the box with a coat of modge podge.

Then paint some modge podge onto the back of the paper.

And then put the paper on the cigar box and either use a brayer or your fingers to make sure it is throughly pasted down on the box. Keep doing this process until you have box covered like you want it.

Note that on the inside of the box, you may need to let the modge podge dry before you continue.

The paper on the inside came from the liners in the cigar box. I spread alcohol ink over the paper and let it dry. The spiderweb pattern popped as a result. It also looks cool when I layered it because the paper is sheer and the colors blend a bit as I layer them.

Once you’ve gotten the sides of the box and the lid covered with your papers. Put at least one more coat of Modge Podge on it to seal it.

For this box, I really liked the seal so I left it uncovered and made it a part of the design. You can label it however you want as well. If it’s a larger box you may want to put a label on the front or the side. If it’s a smaller box you may want to just label the end that’s going to be on the bookshelf.

While this is a two dimensional design, you could make it more textural with glass beads, 3D elements, and more. You’d probably have to use a stronger glue such as E-6000 to make sure the elements stay in place. You’d also not be able to stack the box, which was important to me since I use my cigar boxes for storage.