OCEAN IN A BOX

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INSTRUCTIONS

Measure your box and draw your waves

Step 1 - Measure the internal width and height of your box.

Note - You will need to leave about 1.5cm or more space either side and underneath of your waves to allow for them to have room to move within the area.

Step 2 - Measure and draw out one wave onto the corner of your foam core board. Cut it out with a sharp blade. Hold it in the box and make sure it fits inside with space all around it. Allow it to sit up a bit from the lip of the bottom half of your lidded box, but not too much so that the lid won't close. Once you are happy the wave will work, it's time to make the rest.

Step 3 - Use the first wave as a template to cut out the rectangles, then draw unique waves along the top edge of each rectangle. Round off corners of one side, leaving the bottom part of the wave as a straight edge as they won't be visible once all parts have been constructed.

Note - More waves can be added to achiever a fuller box. Remember to leave some space for movement so it's not too cramped.

Cut out your waves and prepare them for colour and assembly

Step 1 - After you've drawn all your waves, use your craft knife to trim them all out.

Step 2 - Using a drill and a 3mm drill bit, drill a hole in one wave about 1cm in from each edge. On the left-hand side, drill a third hole another 1cm inwards from the first hole.

Step 3 - You should now have two holes on the left that are about 1cm apart and one hole on the right-hand side of your wave.

Step 4 - Using your knife, cut two horizontal lines between the two holes on the left, then pull out the small segment. This should leave you with a slot. Turn the piece over and cut from the back as well as the front to ensure the paper coating of the foam core doesn't tear.

Step 5 - Once you have completed one of your waves, use that same wave as a template to mark out where to put the hole and slit on the rest of the waves. This is important to make sure all the waves line up together when assembled.

Step 6 - Repeat step 2-4 on all the waves.

Step 7 - Use fine grit sandpaper to smooth off your waves, if you desire.

Decorate your waves

Step 1 - Roll the vinyl out onto the bench so the back is facing up.

Step 2 - Place your wave onto the vinyl, also with its back edge facing up.

Step 3 - Trace around the wave with a grey lead pencil.

Step 4 - Cut out the vinyl wave, peel the backing off and carefully stick it onto the front of your foam core wave.

Step 5 - Using a sharp blade, trim the vinyl so it's flush with the foam core. Use the blade and something sharp (like a nail) to make the hole and slot in the vinyl.

Step 7 - Repeat steps 2-5 to create a smaller vinyl sticker that follows the shape of the top of the waves, which measures around 5mm wide.

Tip - Use glitter, texters, paints or pencils for alternative ways to colour the waves.

Prepare the box for the wire

Step 1 - Hold up a wave to the outside front of the box and position it centrally.

Step 2 - With a grey lead pencil, mark the hole on the right, and the centre of the slot on the left.

Step 3 - Make sure both marks are both on the same horizontal plane before using your drill to drill through them.

Step 4 - Measure the distance between the holes to the outer edges of the box and from the top edge of the bottom section of your box. Use these measurements to mark holes on the rear of the box and drill holes where the marks are.

Prepare the wire

Step 1 - Take one length of florist wire and gently wind a loose coil around a pen (or similarly shaped object). Leave 10cm of straight wire at one end of the curl, and 4cm at the other end.

Note - Make sure the curly part is only as long as the interior length of the box.

Feed the waves onto the wires and place into box, then secure everything in place.

Step 1 - Carefully feed your waves onto the curly wire, starting through the side with the hole. Keep the 10cm end towards the front of the waves and the 4cm straight piece at the back of the waves.

Step 2 - Feed a straight piece of wire through the side of all the waves with the slots.

Step 3 - The next bit is fiddly, so we recommend you proceed slowly and carefully. From the inside of the box, feed the 10cm piece of straight wire on the right, through the right-hand side front hole. Once it's through, carefully bend and feed the rear straight piece through the back-right hand side hole of the box.

Step 4 - From the inside of the box, feed the straight wire through the two holes on the left-hand side of the box. Now you should have the waves secured in the box with two wires running from front to back.

Step 5 - To stop the wires from pulling back through the holes, snip each one so they stick out approximately 1.5cm long at the back of the box. Use a pair of needle nosed pliers or similar to create a curl and press it against the box so it folds at a right angle.

Step 6 - Repeat this process with the straight wire on the front left of the box.

Step 7 - Create an L-shaped handle by bending the front left wire at right angles. Add some beads onto the the end of your wire, this will help grip the handle and turn it easily.

Step 8 - Add figures and details to your waves such as boats or sea creatures.

Step 9 - Decorate the exterior of your box however you choose. You could do more waves, or make it look like a pirate's treasure chest!