Introduction: DIY Heart Box!
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
- .022 Chipboard, at least 11x14”
- Wood Glue
- Spray Paint (Optional)
- Adhesive Artisan Paper (Optional)
Step 1: Prepare Pieces
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
- LASER Cutter (OR Scissors & Printer)
- Inkscape / svg reader
- Inkscape Files
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.
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!
Step 2: Construct the Bottom
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.
Step 3: Construct the Top
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.