Upgrading old shoe boxes

Since we have moved in into our new apartment, I am constantly collection ideas on how to improve my work room. So far I have a simple desk (even without drawers) and good old solid shelves that cover one wall. And all my supplies are lying on those shelves. Some in cute boxes I bought, some in even cuter tin boxes I got as a present, but the majority - in shoe boxes. And it's not because I am too lazy to get new craft boxes, I just believe that those shoe boxes are very useful and good quality. They are perfect size and anyway - why throwing away, when we can reuse?

But I admit, the shoe boxes do not contribute to the room decor. And so I have decided to upgrade them a bit - wrap them in paper. However, the regular gift paper is too thin and is torn easily, so what I took leftovers of wallpaper instead.

Our craftstore Kreatima sells the leftovers of fantastic designed wallpaper for super low price. And so I bought some.

 Then I took my show box, paper glue, scissors and a tape.



The first box will have the honor of being wrapped in my favorite wallpaper.

I started with cutting the wallpaper and glueing it to the bottom of the box.

Then took care of the corners - just like wrapping a gift.

Try to be accurate - you want to use those boxes for some years :)

Do the same with the locks, but don't wrap the paper on the inside of the lock, it will be too thick to easily close on the box. Try to glue and tape the paper very tight. But sometimes, when the wallpaper is of good quality and quite thick (like the one I used), it is unavoidable that the lock will be a bit too small for the box. Well, I have the cheat solution.
Cut two corners of the lock and neatly wrap them with paper and tape. It will look very neat, and your box will have a perfectly fitting lock :)

Here you go. I have done 2 boxes so far - 5 more to go.

What do I use them for?

Mainly for storing of supplies or ready made items.

And the locks are perfect to take item pictures on! Simple faded pattern is perfect for creating an atmosphere.



































And since it's not flat - it creates levels in the picture, that shows items in a more vivid and attractive way.

Autumn - necklace and earrings

summer is still here, but I already look forward to my favourite season


Red, brown and very nostalgic :)

And warm...

for more - see my shop

Enchanted Forest

Meet my new necklace - inspired by nature awakening and by amazingly beautiful landscapes of Wermland - this magical part of Sweden with small rustic farms near enchanted forests where trolls still roam. The kingdom of moose and moss.


The moss on the stones is so soft and gentle that I could stand or sit there for hours, listening to a close-by spring, smelling aromas of awakening forest, hoping to meet a baby-mooseThis necklace features amazing beads of green jasper from a vintage necklace, lovely metallic-colored glass beads and other findings.


Already in my shop :)

Bronze and turquoise

I find this color combination very inspiring. Deep and mysterious bronze and bright turquoise.


I used small chips and bigger beads of turquoise, Czech glass beads, shell chips, wooden beads and amazing metal antique bronze-colored vintage beads from an old necklace.

As always - long crocheted string that give you thousand of different looks.

Check my shop Tom Björn Designs for more!

Spring is close!

Some spring feeling :)

This one-of-a-kind item is made of mix of vintage wooden beads, lovely large aventurine beads and sparkling orange glass beads!
I hope the spring will be inspired and will come sooner :)

Orange and Turquoise

Another experiment - mixing orange and turquoise.
Let's prepare for Halloween in a happy way :)





If you click on the images, you will be forwarded to my shop.
The price for the necklace / bracelet is $23.5 Free shipping
Earrings - $12.5 Free shipping
If you purchase the set, it will cost $32, see the details in my shop

Chocolate and turquoise combination - I can feel autumn coming

Autumn in Stockholm... Grayish mood outside my window...

But no matter how gray and sad it is, this city always inspires me to improvise with colors :)

Here is the result:

Spice up your autumn!

Yes, here comes the spicy one!
Inspired by warm August dinners and the colors of coming September.
Striking combination of mustard yellow and sparkling red drops... Final touch - olive and whiskey colored faceted glass beads and crystal pieces.
Enjoy the best season of the year!

Some apples in my life :)

Last weeks I am being in a very apple mood. Everything is greener and fresher than it used to be :)
The world is a happier place :)

And this new mood have inspired me to make several new necklaces / bracelets.

Let's start with this one - Apple Delight.

Do you love apple jam, apple pie, apple everything as much as I do?
Or do you prefer just a crispy fresh green apple?

This long necklace / bracelet is dedicated to all apple-loving people. It's gentle, green, fresh and so juicy!

Just wear it everyday and spread apple mood around you!

Round big aventurine beads, jasper and aventurine chips, sparkling czech glass beads and gentle wooden touch - truly apple mix :)

And so the seaside theme continues

How can summer be without a seashore? Well, I can perfectly survive without warm sea, but a seachore is a must. It can be Batic Sea, Northern Sea, any other cold sea, but it must be sea, at least for a short while.

And so I continued my seaside line of necklaces.
This one is more gentle then the last one, more down to earth. There is less bright sunshine in it, more sunset light. Less salty water, more warm sand.




See more necklaces / bracelets in my shop Tom Björn Designs

Amber magic

Well, as promised, I started a new amber collection - as a way to celebrate sunnier days coming :)
I loved working with amber - having a handfull of "golden" sparkling and warm pieces. Just look at the way they respond to the sun beams - it is real magic :)
Besides chips of natural Baltic amber I also used my favourite glass cubes, and other glass and wooden beads.





Both earrings and necklace / bracelet are available for sale in my Etsy shop

Citrine and turquoise set

And here is the last set I made in Moscow.
I love this color combination, rich turquoise and gentle champagne - I had a similar set before, and now I decided to make it again, due to its success.

I made 5 items, and 3 have been shipped to their new homes already, I do hope they will find warm and loving hearts :)

As usual - click on the picture and you will see more images at Tom Björn Designs



matelials:
glass beads, wooden beads, cotton thread, metal lobster clasps

back to Sweden

And here I am back home!
full of new ideas and a lot of energy and inspiration.

I have to tell you that Moscow turned out to be bigger and louder than ever, and I realized that I am not a city type. Well, Stockholm is more of a village than a city :))

So most of my time in Moscow I spent with my grandfather listening to his amazing stories, and crocheting.
And here is the result:
A Happy Set :) - necklace and earrings

Let's talk earrings :)

I made a few lately - what I love about earrings is that they are fun to make and it takes much less time than a necklace. And they look unusual!








More pictures and information - on TomBjörnDesigns