21 Apr How to Create a Paper Sloyd Box with Cover

We’ve made several boxes on our paper sloyd journey. The complexity of each grows as we progress through the course. However today’s model, a paper sloyd box with cover, seemed to be a bit of a break from the recent challenges that we’ve had in creating our models. It was fairly straight-forward and simple. There was some detailed measuring involved, but the cutting was minimal, and it still came out beautifully.

The paper (or cardboard) recommendations in the book, Paper Sloyd for Primary Grades tend to be antiquated (being that it was published in 1905), and perhaps not recognizable. This model asks for Bristol board, which can be readily found for fairly cheap. Our problem with Bristol board is that it only comes in black and white – not very inspiring, to say the least. When we put the amount of effort into our models that we do, we want them to reflect that. So we choose to use scrapbook paper. Scrapbook paper can be found in most local craft stores. It comes in varying thicknesses, patterns, and designs – some with metallic or gold accents, some with glitter, some embossed. There are so many options – can you tell it gets me excited? We typically choose a thickness that is equivalent to Bristol board.

Materials Needed

• The book, Paper Sloyd for Primary Grades by Ednah Anne Rich
• A cutting mat
• An Exacto knife
• A pencil
• A ruler
• Glue
• Quality paper (the book recommends Bristol Board). We used a 12″ x 12″ piece of thick scrapbook paper.

Happy Handicrafts Video: How to Create a Paper Sloyd Box with Cover

How did you do? Did your paper sloyd box with cover turn out well? I am loving ours – the scrapbook paper gives it such a beautiful finish. There are even glittering gold highlights on it, which really ads to the final product. What will you do with yours?

If you are a Homeschool Mom, I hope you are taking advantage of our videos. My children and I make them so that you can “set it and forget it.” The videos are designed for you to be able to set up your student(s) and we will take care of the process while you take a well-deserved break.

If you’ve just found us, and would like to start from the beginning, A Practical Guide to Your First Year of Paper Sloyd is a good place to start. To learn a little more about sloyd, I recommend reading What is Sloyd? And Why is it a Valuable Tool in Home Education? where I do a deeper dive into it’s history and purpose. You may be surprised how this handicraft can transform your homeschool!

Thank-you for crafting with us!