Box a Week Challenge--Box #1

As if the Iron Craft Bi-monthly challenges weren't enough, I decided that I wanted to do something different in addition to the Iron Craft Challenges. People who know me well know that I am most happiest when I am making boxes (even more so than making paper cuts). Boxes were the medium that brought me to paper arts and subsequently to bookbinding. I started collecting paper so I could make boxes.

So, to return to my love of boxes, I have decided to challenge myself to make one box per week. Here is the result of this week's challenge--a scrap paper box.

We try and recycle paper in our office before we shred paper. Since we regularly print on only one side of the page, we save our waste and use the reverse side for scratch paper before ultimately shredding the paper (which I then use as packing for my mailings).

Here where the instructions that I received from my boss: (1) nothing too fancy, (2) something using Japanese paper, (3) a box that he did not have to continually open, and (4) a zen feeling.

Of course, me and my OCD self also included a lid that prevented dust from getting on the paper when it wasn't in use.

Here is the result--

(above) The closed boxed--peep holes on opposite sides so dust can't get in.

In essence, the box is made up of two separate trays which each contains a peep hole so that paper can be easily reached.

(above) Each tray can hold paper but the peep holes allow for easy access to the paper.

The trays can be used separately, individually or together but more importantly, the bottom tray can fit snugly into the top tray and still allow easy access to the paper.

(above) The bottom tray--black and gold--fits into the top tray, flying cranes.

The choices of paper were very specific for this person. The black and gold paper for the bottom tray is from the "Emperor" series. It is based on a famous kimono of one of the Emperors of Japan. The second paper--the flying crane paper-- is significant because regardless of the direction you turn the box--cranes are flying upward which is a symbol of good luck and good fortune.