Presentation Case

Sometimes you have a little gift you'd like to dress up to make a special presentation. Washi papers offer the perfect solution - guaranteed to impress and please. It can be as simple as wrapping a strip of washi around a package wrapped in plain paper and tying a ribbon, or you can use it to create a presentation folder or box. This folder was created to send some small chocolate bars to a very thoughtful and creative friend. It's easy to make, and can be sized to hold a small framed photograph, paperback book, notecards or any other flat item you'd like to give in a package that says you care enough to do something a little extra!
Essentials include washi paper, wrapping paper or other decorative paper for the lining, a piece of heavyweight cardstock, matboard, or corrugated box, PVA or other white bookbinders glue, sponge brushes or other brushes for applying glue, a sturdy adhesive for attaching the closure buttons, a ruler, bone folder, scissors, and a craft knife. The clasp for closure will require other materials, depending on how you would like to finish the project.
Start by determining the size you need. Measure your gift item to get dimensions for length, height, and depth of the package you need. I took a piece of corrugated cardboard from a shipping box and laid my chocolate bars out on the cardboard, marking the length and height I wanted directly on the board. Be sure to make the package slightly larger than the gift inside so it will be completely enclosed.
Next, determine how deep the package will need to be (How thick are the chocolate bars plus a little wiggle room for tissue paper or foam? B, D above) Now cut a piece of cardboard that is the height and twice the length you measured (A and C) + twice the depth of the chocolate bars + 1/8 inch (B and D) + 2 inches for a flap (E) to fold under the top. The length of the package will be A+B+C+D+E. With the long edge of the cardboard in front of you, beginning from the right-hand side, take your ruler and bone folder and score a vertical line 2 inches in from the right. Score another vertical line parallel to the first one, making it the depth of the box. (D) Moving on to your left, score the third vertical line at a position equal to the length of the package (section C) . Finally, to the left of that line, score another line equal to the depth of the package plus 1/8" (B). Fold along the scored lines which should be on the inside of the package. You will have what looks like a large matchbook except the top will fit over the flap instead of inside of it. Note: Your flap may need to be a different size to suit the finished size of your package. The extra 1/8"in depth is an allowance for the thickness of the flap so the top of the package will lie flat when closed.
Cut a piece of washi paper the size of your cardboard, adding an extra inch all the way around. If you are using page-size sheets of washi, you can connect pages with an almost invisible seam, depending on the pattern you are using. With the outside of the box facing up, and working in small sections at a time, cover the box with a light coat of glue, placing the washi and smoothing it as you go, leaving a one-inch border all around. Turn the package over, and fold the borders of washi into the inside, gluing them to the cardboard and mitering the corners. This doesn't have to be pretty - the inside will be covered with the lining paper. Fold the package after the washi has been glued on, just to make sure the paper stretches over the folds before it dries. Open the package and place it in front of you with the inside facing up. Cut a piece of your decorative lining paper just slightly smaller than the size of your cardboard. Using the same process as with your washi, glue this paper over the washi edges and covering the inside of the package. Fold once again, smoothing the lining into the folds. Your package is finished except for the closure.
For this one, I punched a small hole in the package top, centering it along the edge on the right when folded, and inserted a gold eyelet. I made a loop of elastic cord long enough to come up through the eyelet, run behind the bottom of the package, and come back across the top to loop over a decorative charm. (See the picture at the top.) The piece should be long enough to hold the package closed, but not so tight that it stresses the closure. To make the loop, fold your cord in half, threading the ends through a flat, two-hole button and tie a knot. Pull the loop through the eyelet from back to top and glue the button flat against the back of the package top, centered on the eyelet. On the top, glue another button just to the side of the eyelet, and glue a decorative charm or bead to the top of the button. The charm should be wider than the button so that it leaves an open edge for the loop to tuck under, and the button should be thick enough to raise the charm over the eyelet and cord.
To keep the chocolate bars from sliding out, I taped them together in a line and wrapped them with gold tissue paper, put them in the package, and with the package flap tucked in, wrapped the cord around the bottom of the package to secure it. It's ready to go!
Editor's Note: You notice the chocolate is missing--I got it back on my birthday in February and let me tell you, it didn't last long! But I still have the case--To borrow from John Keats--A thing of beauty is a joy forever! Thank you Bonnie! Sadly the chocolate will probably be with me forever as well.....Life is too short to waste time counting calories!