It's cupcake time! I made this box over the weekend (inspired by one I saw at Anthropologie) to transport a few sweet treats -- 12 to be exact! Here's how I did it in case you want to try it too...
You will need...
- Four pieces of 1/4" plywood cut to 10.5" x 8.5"; and two cut to 8.5" x 8.5"
- Four pieces of square dowel rods cut to 10.5"
- 3/4" x 11/16" middle hinges
- A math compass and pencil
- Two pieces of balsa wood cut to 10.5" x 8"
- Strong wood glue
- Dark wood stain
- Contact paper
- X-acto knife
- Paint
- A six-inch piece of baker's twine
- Wood engraving tool (optional)
1. Using the compass, evenly trace six circles with a circumference of 7" each onto each piece of balsa wood.
2. Cut out each circle. I did this by drilling a big hole in the middle of each circle, and then using a jigsaw to carve out the shape. Sand the holes.
3. Drill two dime-sized holes in two of the plywood pieces -- one square and one rectangle (see picture). The square one will be the door to the box; the other will be right next to it. Later you will use these holes to tie the box closed.
4. Sand and stain each piece of plywood (and both sides of the door piece). Let dry completely.
5. Glue two dowels each to two separate rectangular pieces of plywood (one should be the rectangle piece with the dime-sized hole). Make sure they are even and allow enough space on the top and bottom for the cupcakes! They will rest on the little shelves these create.
6. Glue five pieces of plywood together to form a box. Use the square piece (not the door) for the back. Let dry completely.
7. Attach the door using the hinges. Make sure the dime-sized holes correspond.
8. Print out the reversed cupcake label (dingbats from Bergamot font btw) onto the back of clear contact paper. Carefully carve it out with your X-acto knife, making a stencil.
9. Apply the stencil firmly to the top of the box. Carefully dab a light amount of paint over the design until it's covered. Let dry, and peel off the stencil.
10. Optional: Use an engraving tool and the paint as a guide to engrave the label.