You Will Need
Apart from the basic items, you will also need the following:

• Supawood box
• black and coloured craft paint
• paintbrush
• fine-grit sandpaper
• water-based varnish
• polish (we used Zebo)
• template

Before You Start
1 Remove both the hinges from the Supawood box and paint the outside of the box, including the lid and feet, with black craft paint. Leave to dry, then paint the inside in a colour of your choice.
2 Lightly sand the box with fine-grit sandpaper to a smooth finish. Wipe away the dust with a dry paintbrush. Apply another layer of craft paint, then leave to dry.
3 Use a water-based varnish to cover the areas that will not be covered with pewter. Leave to dry, then repeat.
4 Use a soft cloth to apply polish to the feet to give them a metallic finish.

To Make
1 Measure the top and sides of the box with the lid on, and then cut the pewter to size.
NOTE The parts for the lid and bottom sections of the box will only be separated later.

2 Trace the template (or a design of your own) onto tracing paper. Use the complete pattern for the lid, and smaller sections of it for the sides.

3 Secure a piece of pewter for one of the sides to a smooth, hard work surface using masking tape. Tape the pattern to the pewter and transfer the design using a tracer tool or a small ball tool. You could also use a pen, but you will need to press slightly harder. Remove the tracing paper and the masking tape.

4 Apply a layer of petroleum jelly to the wrong side of the pewter and put it on a soft cloth. Do the relief modelling work using a paper pencil to ‘fill in’ the inside parts of the motifs without straying over the lines. Take care not to press too hard, because this could dent the pewter.

5 Place the pewter on your work surface with the right side facing up. Use the paper pencil to trace the outline of the design. Repeat these two steps until you are satisfied with the relief modelling.

6 Use a tracer or small ball tool to sharpen the outlines of the design.

7 Turn the pewter over onto a soft cloth and use a glass dropper to fill the cavities with melted beeswax. Fill each one to the top, then leave to set. Remove excess wax with cotton wool soaked in turpentine.

8 Apply patina to the right side of the pewter and polish (see instructions).

9 Use glue that is suitable for wood and metal to affix the pewter to the jewellery box, then smooth out with a soft cloth. Leave to dry, then separate the different sections using a craft knife. Use a tracer or ball tool to neaten the edges.

10 Repeat the steps to cover the entire box. Use your fingers to rub over the areas where the hinges will be. Open the holes with a tracer and attach the hinges.

Good Ideas

• Photocopy your designs directly onto tracing paper, then you won’t have to trace them twice – once onto the tracing paper, and then onto the pewter.
• Spray-paint copper-coloured hinges black to blend in with the pewter.

Text and images: Ideas