Another couple of small boxes with a different idea for lid decoration.
They use the same simple box construction – solid timber sides - off cuts from other projects, with mitred and splined corners, a base set in a groove, lids saw off after the box is finished, but this time with inserts to locate the lid rather than rebates on the inside the lid, and the outside of the base.
For the main element of each lid I used metal phone stickers that I got off AliExpress. These are peel-and-stick, and adhere really well to a polished (no wax) polyurethane surface. I used masking tape to form the boards and circles. There’s my usual sprinkled gold dust, with a circle of abalone shell chips around the koi. There’s loads of different ones on Ali – look for metallic stickers, metal phone stickers, scrap box metal stickers.
As with the earlier small boxes I’ve posted, numerous coats of polyurethane are applied after the gold dust, shell and stickers have been applied. It is rubbed down between coats to build up a thickness of poly that covers the metal stickers. Take care rubbing down after the first coats so you don’t take the polish of the metal stickers!
The symbolism of the two traditional Yin and Yang koi arranged in a circular pattern represents harmony, love, peacefulness and happiness. The two Koi complement each other and create a perfect balance of negative and positive energies.
Similar to the Yin and Yang koi above, koi, in Chinese mythology, the dragon -left, and phoenix bird – right, are often depicted in an eternal harmonious dance, symbolizing the perfect balance of yin and yang. The dragon represents the masculine, with its strength and power, while the phoenix embodies the feminine, representing grace and beauty.
Next up will be some Tarot card boxes using more stickers.
Thanks for looking. Please ask if you have any questions.
Yes the quality of the stickers is amazing. On an earlier Japanese box, see below, I completely finished the box/chest then applied the higher quality real gold Japanese Makie stickers and didn't put any more polyurethane on.
So is your process to apply (wipe on?) a couple coats of poly, then apply the stickers, then apply several more coats? Are you rubbing down with an abrasive?
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
Ryan - I use Cabots (an Australian brand) satin oil based poly. I brush it on liberally and rub down between coats with 320 or 400 micro-mesh. I apply enough coats to completely fill the grain and give a flat surface. When that's done I go down to 1000 micro-mesh to get a super polished flat surface. I usually then wipe the surface with acetone to remove any finger grease. Then I apply the stickers. After that I repeat the above, but take care with the first rub-downs so I don't scratch the metal stickers - it's not important if it's sea or egg shell, as sanding them gets ride of any small protrusions. I apply enough coats to cover everything and get a flat surface again, with enough thickness to run down and polish up to 3000 grit.
