I created this box after I was inspired by Bethany Leino's Fairy Box project I saw on this website. I really liked how her book box make those books look enticing. I thought that might work to help my fourth grade students read more challenging nonfiction. So, I created Dive Deeper with a nautical theme. As I made this box, I kept thinking about what a t.v. would look like if it had been under the sea for a long while (perhaps a fitting location). Thanks Bethany for the inspiration - my students love this little bookshelf and often poke fingers around the top and tug on the water drops. This box was built tough enough to withstand it.
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Ina Griet
September 10, 2019 at 8:58PM
Wonderful ideas you are having, obviously liking books. Nice work, all of yours. Looks like all meaningful things not just "stuff" you are making. When you say the shelf is build tough to withstand over and over using it...how did you do it?
Richard Will
September 11, 2019 at 12:48PM
Thank you very much for your feedback! This project has worked well over the years - but I did have to do a bit of maintenance on it recently to patch up wear and tear along front edges and such. I did this with a mixture of ground paper and glue. I often use a fairly thickish paper and a fairly strong white glue mix (not much water added) for the multiple layers over the base cardboard. I used some 1/4 inch thick angle cardboard strips (used to protect appliance edges in shipping) along interior corners and seams. The base has a piece of cement board attached to provide some needed strength and weight for stability. I often use latex enamel paint (house paint) and then a layer or two of Mod Podge to provide a strong surface coating. My students just finished making desk "drawers" with nursery flats and paper mache - the kids are always amazed at how much strength the paper mache gives the box. Powerful stuff! Thanks again.