Bead Boxes

Bead trays... and bead pods!

Tool box-style bead tray... and bead bags.

First style of bead tray and a simple style of box.

Open-top bead compartments for work-in-progress!

I'm on a papercrafted craft storage binge. It makes so much sense! Today's project is for beading enthusiasts. I've given two styles of trug-style bead trays, and a choice of four different compartments.
The open boxes are for when you're crafting, the bead pods and flap boxes can be used for craft-time or storage, and the bead bags (with cello windows) are for storage. All are fun and easy to make.

Here's how to fold the swirly "bead pods":

Pinch the corners, then fold flaps consecutively.

 The construction is very straightforward. Score the folds with an embossing tool held against a metal ruler. Fix the tabs with double-sided tape or tacky glue. Cut the window in the bead bag with a craft knife. The window is cut from a cello craft bag.

Here are the pattern templates:

Apart from the window bags, you can't see the contents - so you can either colour-code the bags or label them. 

Of course, these make great gifts for crafty friends. And, if you big up the trays and bags just a little, they'd make lovely packaging for sweets.

Stuff I used: American Crafts Cardstock (fantastic to fold and glue!), Craftwork Cards papers (for the bead bags).

Embellishment Caddies

Caddies front view. Bits and bobs for your current project.

Caddies - bird's-eye view. Choice of compartments!

These modular embellishment caddies are great fun to make - and useful, too. These compartmentalized mini-trays provide temporary storage for your craft project-in-progress bits and bobs. Nice to have
things organized and close at hand! That was my original intent - but I can see that they'd make lovely party favours filled with a selection of sweets - or delightful gifts for crafty friends. 

You start with a hexagonal base tray (on trend there!) - then pop in the handle and mini-box storage compartments. Now for the geek appeal: there's a choice of two styles - concentric trapezoids or "cheese wedge" triangles. The handle is fixed to the base, so you can carry the tray - but the individual compartments are not, so you can pop them out to empty the contents when your project's done.

Clock the washi tape feature!

Triangular wedge compartments (cheese wedges or orange segments?).

Here are your pattern templates:

Choose your cardstock carefully - you want it to fold smoothly and glue easily. Cut out the pieces in the correct quantities, then score the fold lines with an embossing stylus held against a metal ruler. Crease the folds and glue the tabs with tacky glue applied with a cocktail stick.

Here's a pic:

 And another:

 And a couple of tips:

After gluing down the turn-backs, 1) smooth them down into the corners with a cocktail stick. When the box is finished 2) pinch the corners for a nice crisp appearance.

Here's how to assemble the boxes:

Fix the handle to the base of the hexagonal box, with glue or double-sided tape. Then pop in the mini-boxes as shown. Accessorize with a band of washi tape and a bow.


Further thoughts: the handle can be used as a ribbon card.


Stuff I used: AC Cardstock Spring (American Crafts), We R Memory Keepers Washi Tape.


That's it. Have fun crafting: tray magnifique!

Wedding Confetti Pockets

Pretty pearlescent pockets adorned with vellum flowers.

These wedding confetti pockets can be made up quickly in quantity. There are two different styles, each is accordion-pleated. They are fun to fold and embellish with Tonic Studios Petal Pairs flowers.

Choose pearlescent paper for the pockets, vellum for the flowers. Score the pocket fold lines using an embossing tool held against a metal ruler. Chalk the flower petal edges to give them definition. The Tonic Studios Petal Pairs are made in the usual way - interlock the layers. The leaves are cut from a Petal Pairs shape and scored down the centre with an embossing tool to create a vein effect. Pinch the leaf fold for dimension.
Glue the leaf onto the flower using tacky glue - you glue it onto the bottom flower petal layer, so no need to worry about vellum show-through. The Card Candi flower centre is fixed in place with a sticky foam pad, and the flowers are attached to the pockets with foam pads, too. Finish with a taffeta bow.

Here are the patterns - Loopy Basket or Grab Bag design:

The leaf-pair is snipped off a Petal Pair punch shape.

The accordion-pleated constuction.

You can, of course, scale down the pockets and use them as card focals or scrapbook page memory pockets. The pockets make great party favours, too.


Stuff I used: Tonic Studios Petal Pairs Box Set 3, Petal Pairs Petites 1. Papers: Supreme Pearlescent paper, Inspire Me vellum, Craftwork Cards Card Candi.