Mixed media swap: Believe in Magic

I had such fun with my last mixed media swap, I joined another a few weeks ago. This time I decided to do an altered book box using Prima/Finnabair waxes.

I found a papier-mâché book box at Hobby Lobby and began by adhering crumpled tissue paper to the front, back and spine for a kind of leathery texture. I then used texture paste through the Prima Manuscript stencil after the glue had dried. Afterwards, I painted the whole book, inside and out, with black gesso.

I gathered my elements for the front — some chipboard, metal flowers by Prima, a resin frame and resin mask I had made from one of my moulds — and painted them all with black gesso before gluing them in place with 3D Matte Gel Medium. I let everything dry overnight, so everything was nice and secure.

I used the Finnabair waxes in Peacock, Electric Violet and Firebird to add color to the book and the embellishments. I finished everything off with some Melange pebbles painted with Iris Potion on the flat side, and a few Swarovski crystals.

And since I’ve been making a lot of jewelry lately, I also included one of my pieces as an extra little gift for inside the box.

I’ve already signed up for my next fun swap — a summer themed mixed media tag. I hope to start it next week, during my staycation vacation!