Handmade Packaging

Packaging your products doesn't have to be expensive. Just invest a little time and shop for FREE supplies from your recycling bin.

I made 4 pillow boxes from 2 boxes of cereal, left over scrapbook paper, and ribbon. (I didn't purchase anything) This is a great finish to your products and a very inexpensive and eco-friendly way to add that finishing touch to your handmade products.

Materials needed for this Project.

*Boxes

*scissors (not your good Pair)

*scrap 2 x 12 strip of scrapbook paper (you can make 6 strips from one page, Perfect when your scrapbooking stores have paper marked down to 5 for $1)

*Other emblishments that you choose.

*Glue (your choice, elmers, rubber cement or a glue stick)

1. Trace your pattern on the outside of your box, Leave the brown on the inside. I found my pattern HERE. Size your pattern to meet your needs. I cut one of the folded notches out and just fliped it around 4 times to make my notches. You could also print 2 patterns one for the outside and one for the insides. My Boxes are about 4 1/2 x 6

2. Cut out your pattern, and score your folding marks. I scored mine by pressing hard when tracing, and backing my box with a thick cardboard. It really made scoring super easy.

3. Glue down the flap. I set a heavy object on top of it while I traced and trimmed the other boxes.

4. Fold down your edges. I used my 1" circle punch to make the notches at the end but you can just trace and trim those notches if you don't have a circle punch.

All that is left is to decorate. You can make you can make your packaging as fancy or as understated as you want.

Today I counted the boxes in my recycle bin and I have about 7. Some I could make 2 Boxes from some I can make 1. If I owned my own handmade business that would be about 10 FREE boxes a week. A great TIP would be to trim out your boxes and store in a place out of the

way. Be sure to put your left over trimmings back in your recycle bin.

I embellished this box with 2 different types of paper, a tulle flower and paper rose flower. Just to show you can go overboard with your packaging if you wish.

I chose this paper because it matches the box perfectly. I used some thin embroidery floss to wrap the package. I used my 1" circle punch to make a small tag. You could stamp an image or write "thank you" on this tag. It is up to you.

I used a clear label on the package and couldn't see it as well as the label printed on white paper.

But I think the over all appearance matches my blog perfectly. www.vampirecraftin.com

I could have just used cardstock and paper I purchased but I really wanted to make this project for inexpensively as Possible, and as GREEN as possible. I would love to see your pillow boxes if you make this craft I would like to see it. Post a link in a comment or email it to me.

Here are some I saw online that were just tooooo cute.

Cardstock Pillow Box

Plantable seed Paper

Lots of different ones

Etsy Blog Post about Packageing

Thanks...