Explosion Box Gift Card Holder...

With the Holidays on us, I thought I would share this fun to make explosion box for gift card giving...

If a box can have meaning, this one has it for me.  Why would a box have meaning?....This was the very first project I placed in my Etsy store.  I sold all I had.  That next Saturday morning, I received an email through Etsy from a lady in California who wanted a TON of these.  No, we aren't talking 100......MORE!!!   I, who felt honored that someone even liked anything I made, accepted the order!!  I never looked at this box the same way again!  In fact, this is the first time in months I have even been able to think about this box... I never wanted to make or see another one again!  LOL!  Well, that didn't last long...here I am making them again for Holiday Gift Cards.

I had been asked to make a card for a retiring Volunteer President.  He was truly a fine gentleman and we all wanted to honor him with a group card as well as a gift card to a wonderful restaurant. Instead of making the card, I thought of the explosion box.  The explosion box, which has been around since Victorian times, needed a new twist.  So I added the gift card holder, made it from covered chipboard and added straps and hitch posts for a vintage valise look.  The box offered many places to add pictures and places for us to all sign...

I hope this gives you an idea for those fantastic little plastic cards!

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

MenDoScrapToo

 

Comments

[Heather H.]

i love the addition of the straps :)

[Margaret Ann Moffat]

wow love how you have done this

[Sunshine Girl]

Oh wow this is fabulous - I havent made an exploding box for years but now feel the urge to make one! Talking of which your configuration box robot inspired me to make an advent snowman - link is here if you want a quick peek - http://sunshinegirlnicola.blogspot.com/2011/11/you-know-when.html. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Sunshine Girl]

sorry the above link doesnt work - just click on my blog name when it appears

[Ruby C]

Very nice! Love the vintage valise look!

[Shawn]

This is right up my alley! Love the handles. I need to make one of these. Thanks for the post.

[Lynn Wild]

Jim, this is fantastic! I've made a few exploding boxes before, but this one would be just perfect to give to a man, and you'd never guess that it held a gift card!
Thanks for your inspiration.
Lynn Wild, UK.

[Mike]

Wow! Awesome box, man! And it's always nice to see another creative guy...that's not afraid to blog about it.

Kudos Jim!

And: Happy Thanksgiving!

[suesue]

Wonderful idea~certainly makes my brain start thinking more creatively!!

[Vina]

Wow...your exploding box is stunning! Love your creativity! Did you use real leather for the straps?
Take care, Vina

[Dana B]

lol :) this is great!!

[Alicia Gnam]

Beautiful box! A great idea for gift giving. :)

[Terrie Lightfoot]

Your explosion box is FABULOUS! Thank you for sharing it with us!

[The Gentleman Crafter]

Thanks Terrie!  It was a fun box to make! 

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter
MenDoScrapToo!

[jocelyn]

These are awesome! I've made these but never thought to create a lid that actually stayed on! LOL

[The Gentleman Crafter]

Jocelyn-

LOL!  I know I know! 

Thanks Tons!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter
MenDoScrapToo!

[Bev Leeson]

Hi Jim, I must confess that I have only just arrived at your Blog from a link through The Most Amazing MAN Crafter Mr TIM. I can see that I'll be visiting lots, so have subscribed. It is so refreshing to find more Male crafters out there I wish more would Blog.I thought I saw somewhere that you have an Etsy Shop if so would you kindly put the Link Up I just LOVE this box and would love to buy one. Also I'm from Australia and have sent out the call to look you up so you might find you will have a following from Down Under too.Many Thanks........

[The Gentleman Crafter]

Thanks Bev!

Oh the Etsy store....If I could stop playing with Tims Tags long enough!  LOL!  Im The Gentleman Crafter on Etsy as well.  Sadly there is nothing on it as I had completely closed up shop to get the BIG order done which consumed all my time.  Now that Im off box duty, I need to work on it! 

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

[Brenda]

Jim do u have a pattern for this box I love this so masculine

[mercedes]

OMG, a few days ago I found your blog and I can't stop saying hes work is amazing, I love the boxes and everything. The paper the color I just love it. I have to said your art is really good I will follow you and enjoy all you share with us. I prove to my hubby men do craft and good ones. Thanks for all you share.

[Debbie Tuttle]

I was looking thru your blog and came across this exploding album. It's wonderful! I have found the perfect Christmas gift for my cousins who are spread all over the country. They all love old photos of our family. This will be such a suprise. Thank you for your inspiration. I just received my Graphic 45 Ladies Diary pps and I think I'm going to start with a jewelry box for the peices of bling that I have inheretited from my Mom, Aunts, and Grandma.Looking forward to your next project.

[The Gentleman Crafter]

Thats awesome Debbie!  They are great gifts.  OOOh!  Jewelry box.  I have one started but it lays dead on the dining room table.  Incomplete!  Hahaha!  Would love to see your when done.

Thanks!
Jim

[Stephanie S.]

Very nice and good to find your blog. Look forward to more of your wonderful ideas.

[Chelsea]

I'm new here, but I have to say this box is phenomenal. Absolutely brilliant work! I am looking forward to seeing more.

[Tami Rinehart]

Wow.....Thats the nicest one I have ever seen. GREAT JOB!!!!! Love the straps and the vintage feel!!!