Three little letters can elicit a feeling of fear in those less than crafty, but for these Birchbox staffers, DIY is a walk in the park. Revered for knowing their way around glue guns and glitter, they show us a few simple ways to upcycle Birchboxes and get more organised this spring— no supernatural powers required.
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DIY Goddess: Kelsey // Birchbox Upcycle: Tech Cord Organiser
Between our mobile phones, tablets and computers, the cord situation on our desks just isn’t pretty. Sound familiar? Have no fear, Kelsey is here!
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What you’ll need:
- Birchbox top and bottom
- X-Acto/ Stanley knife or other sharp blade
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Stencils (optional)
Step 1: Measure off 1 inch in the middle of one of the short sides of the box bottom. Using the knife, cut out that inch, leaving about 1/4 inch of box at the bottom. Repeat on the other short side and one of the long sides.
Step 2: Repeat on the other long side of the box bottom, adding an additional 1-inch cutout on either side (3 cutouts in total). Leave about ¾ inch between each cutout.
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Step 3: Paint the exterior and interior of the box, top and bottom. Kelsey was feeling the impending spring in the air, so she went with a sky blue. Wait for it to dry, then add a second layer.
Step 4: If you’re so inclined, add your own artistic flair. Try your own design or use a fun stencil (like the one used here).
Voilà! Your desk now is now mess free and has a splash of cheery colour.
DIY Goddess: Jenny // Birchbox Upcycle: Planter
Encouraged by warmer temps, Jenny’s on a quest to flex her gardening muscles, but her tiny Brooklyn apartment isn’t the place to work them out. This planter of easy-to-care-for succulents is the perfect place to start.
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What you’ll need:
- Birchbox bottom
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Stencils (optional)
- Wax paper/plastic bag
- Succulents of your choosing
- Moss
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Step 1: Start by painting the entire box bottom your colour of choice. Paint two to three layers to ensure colour is completely opaque.
Tip: Add a design like this gold one if you’re feeling fancy.
Step 2: After the paint has dried, line the box interior with wax paper or a plastic bag. This will block any potential water damage to the box.
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Step 3: Take your succulents out of the container and place in the box, using dirt from their original containers to fill in empty spaces.
Step 4: Add some moss to the top to cover up the dirt and to prevent any from potentially spilling.
And there you have it: The ultimate city-girl garden just in time for warmer(ish) weather.
DIY Goddess: Charlie // Birchbox Upcycle: “Open Concept” Frame
Spring means an end to hibernation and the start of your social time ramp-up. This open picture frame will help you show off your post-thaw good times.
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What you’ll need:
- Birchbox top
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- X-Acto/Stanley knife or sharp blade
- Twine or cord
- Small clothes pin
Image may be NSFW.
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Step 1: Paint the box top your colour of choice. Use two to three layers to make sure it’s opaque.
Step 2: Decide which way you want the box to face (horizontally or vertically) and poke a hole on each side an inch or so from the top.
Step 3: Pull the twine or cord through the holes and knot on each end on the outside of the box.
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Step 4: Find your favourite photo, postcard, concert ticket or other piece you’d like to display and clip it to the twine/cord with the clothes pin.
– Jenny
Read up on all things Spring Forward in this month’s Editor’s Letter & Contents.