The Little Bee Keeper - Calico Cube Storage by Julie Ann

Hello, it's always such a treat to share with you at Calico Craft Parts. Today I'd like to introduce you to Melissa, the Bee-keeper and to share a little storage cube I made to house a collection of tiny tiles I've been creating. Something about the honeyed autumn light inspired me to create a cube of warm muted colours, and to visualise a miniature character, responsible for caring for the bees and protecting them and their precious honey as the days shorten and winter approaches.

The cube kits are so easy to assemble. You can decorate them before assembly, or - as I did here - add your papers, stencils and stamping once you have glued the parts together. I use an extra heavy gel medium, but any white, non-toxic super glue does the job.

 On my lid I've used torn papers, stencils and stamping with acrylic paints: the whole, collaged and painted effect blended together quite well, I thought. I chose soft greens, rusts, creams and yellows to evoke the mellow tones of autumn.

I gesso'd the front of the box and then added tissue text. To suggest the papery texture of autumn leaves, I then applied watery drips from water-colour blocks, allowing them to trickle down. The MDF mini label holders come on a handy sheet and they are ideal for adding to storage boxes.

This side, with its stencils over design paper blended with papers created by me became the background for Melissa's Mistress, the supreme Bee Goddess, Potnia.

 The bright-eyed bird is the top layer of a napkin, fixed with a fluid matt medium.

Although the Bees are her main subjects, Potnia loves and protects all winged creatures.

Here I've used more torn papers and stamping with acrylics to create that weathered autumnal look.

Stamping with white acrylic paint and edging the cube with a warm terracotta paint helped create a background for Melissa. It was pure serendipity that the paper across the middle resembled a mellow brick wall.

Washi tape and crackled card corners provided the perfect finishing touches to the lid.

As the rays of the autumn sun ignite the grass, a majestic stag turns to listen to the sound of the humming bees and Melissa's autumn song as she wends her way through the woods, home to a supper of bread and honey.

Now Melissa is perfectly at home in my studio among the other storage boxes. Thank you for stopping by today. Until we meet again enjoy the autumn and all its creative opportunities.

Calico Craft Parts used in this Project
MDF Cube Storage Box Kit
Bees and Beehives -Sheet of mini MDF shapes
Group of Deer wood shape, Style 6
Mini Angel Wings Wood Shapes, Style 4
Blackberry Bramble Wood Shape
Sheet of Mini Label Holders