You can use it for a craft. As you know, I always do a follow up DIY project with the packing material found in my Eco Emi boxes. If you missed the past ones, here's January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, my first September Eco Emi DIY, my second September Eco Emi DIY, my first for October, my second for October, November and December of 2012, as well as January, February, March, April, my first Eco Emi DIY for May, my second for May, and June of 2013.
Today's Eco Emi DIY project was inspired by the scrap of burlap fabric used as decorative wrapping inside of this month's box. I decided to use the actual box as a frame around the burlap, which is perfect for hanging jewelry. I designed the jewelry frame with other materials found inside the box, as shown (brown paper shreds, a thicker green paper shred, a sheer green fabric pouch and a coupon card from Eartha Essentials), and some duck tape I had on hand. Here's how I did it:
To start, I deconstructed the cardboard box and cut out the two large rectangles.
Then, I used a pencil to draw the inside of my frame, using a leftover cardboard strip to create straight lines.
I cut out the inside of the frame from the first cardboard rectangle and repeated the steps on the second cardboard rectangle, making sure both were the same size.
Next, I decided to wrap some of the brown paper shreds around one of the cardboard frames for interest. I grouped two to four of the shreds together at a time, taping them to the back of the frame ...
... and wrapping them around, as you can see.
This is what it looked like almost finished from the back ...
... as well as from the front. I only did the top and bottom, but you could use this technique on your entire frame, if you'd like.
At this point, I still wasn't sure exactly how I wanted the front of my jewelry frame to look, so I moved on to the back of the frame. I opted to cover the back of the second cardboard frame with black duck tape.
After covering the back of the frame with black duck tape, I continued the theme on the sides of the front cardboard frame. I also cut the thick green paper shred into four equal pieces to add a little pop of color to the project. I taped them onto the frame in the same fashion as I did with the brown paper shreds.
I wanted the burlap to be secured between the front and back cardboard frames. To do this, I first cut the burlap to fit, and then taped it in place on the back cardboard frame.
I set the front cardboard frame on top and taped it into place with the same black duck tape. Here's a view of how I applied the duck tape to the front frame ...
... and wrapped it around to the back. I did this to both sides, intentionally leaving the bottom flap of tape out, as shown, for attaching the stand.
To make the stand, I cut two equal-sized strips of cardboard from what was left of the box.
I covered both cardboard strips in black duck tape to match the frame.
I used the two flaps of tape left at the bottom of the frame to attach one end of each of the tape-covered cardboard strips to the frame.
Then, I used more tape to connect the top of the strips to the frame, as shown.
The jewelry frame was basically complete at this point, but I decided to give it a bit more function and detail by adding the sheer green fabric pouch to the front (it works well for storing bracelets and such, so they can be seen), along with part of that Eartha Essentials coupon card (I cut out the word "Essentials," as this jewelry frame was the perfect place for displaying some of my accessory "essentials").
Here's the finished jewelry frame, with examples of how you can display accessories on it. Let me know if you make one, too :-)
That's the theme for this month's Eco Emi box. Hayden and I just got ours yesterday, after a fun day of shopping. We couldn't wait to do an unboxing video, so we could test out all the products inside.
If you didn't see our video when we uploaded it last night, you can watch it here and/or read our thoughts about what we received below.
As I already mentioned, July's theme is "Endless Summer Spa," so the box was packed with products for creating your own spa day or evening at home (I opted to try most of them last night). Although I have simplified my daily facial care routine to just an oil cleanser and some pure argan oil, I do still enjoy the occasional spa experience, using the products I've received.
Rose Cleansing Scrub by French Girl Organics: This is my favorite product from this month's box. The pale pink rose cleansing grains are beautifully contained in a pretty glass bottle that I plan on keeping to use as a tiny flower vase (Hayden is always picking small wild flowers, like buttercups, which would look so cute in this). Last night, I removed my makeup with some argan oil and then exfoliated my delicate skin with with this lovely combination of finely ground rose petals, rose hip powder, brown rice powder, hibiscus powder, white & pink clay, and a variety of essential oils. I just poured a tiny bit of the powder in the palm of my hand, mixed it with a few drops of water and applied it to my face. The sweet hibiscus fragrance was heavenly, and although it contained flowers and exfoliating grains, it didn't irritate my extremely sensitive skin. The product rinsed off easily and left my skin feeling soft as a baby's bottom. I highly recommend this one.
Stress Relief Bath Soak by Eartha Essentials: This product also came in a tiny bottle, perfect for reusing as a flower vase. I didn't get an opportunity to try it yet, but I hope to use it in a relaxing bath asap. I love that the ingredient list is short and sweet, only containing distilled water, organic castile soap, organic vegetable glycerin, organic almond oil, lavender and ylang ylang essential oils. It also has a light, calming scent. The lavender seems to be the star in the one I received.
Lushful Lips Scrub by Eartha Essentials: Ha ha. I checked my e-mail after we did our unboxing video and found a "spoiler alert" message from an Eco Emi representative warning that the heat may have melted this product. I had already discovered that fact during the video when I opened mine. Thank goodness it didn't spill all over the place. The butters and beeswax had liquified, but the raw sugar grains maintained their grit. After spending some time in my fridge, the lip scrub solidified, but with some separation. Most of the scrub ended up at the bottom, while a very nice lip butter found its way to the top. I guess I'll have to wait to sample the scrub component; however, I am currently enjoying the moisturizing part. It smells like lemon and coconut, due to it's short list of natural ingredients: organic mango butter, organic coconut oil, beeswax, organic raw cane sugar and organic lemon essential oil.
Amend Facial Solar Repair Anti-Aging Serum by Blissoma: In our video, I referred to this serum as liquid gold, solely based on its golden hue, but after testing it out last night, I have to admit that reference goes a bit further. I applied it to my face, following the French Girl Rose Cleansing Scrub and some Blissoma spray toner, and it left my skin feeling soft, smooth and with a natural glow (as opposed to an oily shine). All I needed was a drop, so hopefully, it will last a little while. This stuff is like gold.
Body Spritzer "Tangelo Twist" by Aubrey: Hayden really likes this body spritzer. She thinks it smells like one of her Strawberry Shortcake dolls. It has a light citrus/floral scent. the best part is the fact that it is not tested on animals.
Whipped Cream Body Butter by Fortune Cookie Soap: I'm not sure what to think about this one. At first, it made me think of the cute fortune cookie soaps they sell online, although I've never actually tried them myself. Then, I think I figured out why I hadn't. It has a light green color that didn't look very natural and a scent that made me wonder, as well. The ingredient list isn't as stellar as the other products from this month's box, so I'm still on the fence about this one. I did, however, try it on my hands during our video. It is very moisturizing.
Cucumber Mint Green Tea by Tea Forte: When I first removed this tea bag from the box, I thought it was going to be some of those fake cucumber slices for your eyes, but quickly figured out it was tea. Did you know you can use chilled tea bags on your eyes to reduce puffiness? After I steep my tea, I'll have to use this tea bag for that.
Sleep Mask by Limitless Skies: I forgot to mention in our video that this sleep mask is made by Limitless Skies. It reminded me of the one I made for Hayden out of items from a past Eco Emi box. I wonder what we should make this time. I guess you'll have to wait to find out.
Have a lovely day!
