DIY Mosaic Box Using Craft Foam

Here is another Dollar Tree craft project for ya'll. Everyone loves an inexpensive do-it-yourself, right?

I had made a box just like this one several years ago and it was so easy and fun result, that I made another one to show you guys.

Step 1

Paint your box an under-color that will match the puffy paint you'll use to grout it.

You can use whatever color craft foam and puffy paint you want or have.

Step 2

Ink a background stamp with embossing ink

Embossing your foam is an optional step. I just wanted to add a little something to the soon-to-be tiles.

Step 3

Apply the inked stamp to a piece of craft foam.

I have to admit, I'm not a pro stamper so I'm not sure if using a brayer is what works best, but it's what I did.

Step 4:

Cover the craft foam with embossing powder.

And pour the excess powder in something you can collect it in to use again.

Step 5

Heat the powdered image on your foam.

Make sure you don't get too close for too long to avoid melting the foam itself.

Your powder should have melted together to look something like this:

Step 6

Cut your foam into little mosaic pieces. Cut them in various shapes.

Step 7

Before you start gluing the pieces on, put the box lid on, and using a pencil, draw a line around where it comes around the box.

Now you know where to not glue the tiles to leave room for the lid.

Step 8

Add a section of glue around your box.

I used gel glue.

Step 9

Start adding your foam pieces leaving room between them to add our puffy paint grout.

Glue one section at a time.

And make sure you do the top of the lid, as well.

Step 10

Once all your tiles are in place, start filling in the spaces with your puffy paint. It's our faux grout.

I actually used some Gallery Glass liquid leading because I didn't have metallic gold puffy paint on hand, but they both work.

Fill one section at a time.

And make sure you do the top of the lid, as well.

Step 11

Add flat back pearls around the edge of the lid.

I used gel super glue for this to avoid having to wait for regular glue to dry.

And yay! You have an awesome mixed media box now. These would make a fun gift for someone too, I think.

For another project using flat back pearls, check out my Pearly Plant Pokes tutorial.

And If there is no Dollar Tree around or they have limited options, buy the materials on Amazon: