I love to paint advertising signs and crates based on old products that are no longer around. I find old tins or ad prints and use them for my inspiration. Believe me when I tell you I am no artist, but a few tricks I learned from my daughter who was an art major in college have taken me a long way. I found this old crate at a sale. I try to pick these pieces up for a reasonable price as all the value ends up being from my labor. This crate is approximately 5 feet long. It has a hinged lid like a coffin box and it had some hasps already on the front to keep it closed.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOKYhqfvPzQJ7xF7khkLFY4vGwWxToXxEwE-O12IZLrpyvqMqNq2-FuhgTgTsGkSWILiD0w1lQsg3cPNQMOp2MaEOzdVl4f60HlHAzy8nOdzI_EN6e7EDqiNblU9CE08saY9nKaLyTRE/s320/blogchocolatecrate4.jpg) |
Finished Product |
I had my husband paint the crate with Rustoleum American Accents Heirloom White. I didn't want the box to be too white as I wanted it to have an aged appearance when finished just like an old advertising crate would look.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbma5pLonzXz9zkWvkn1Fgs0-8_3GJirLz-uE6A8rNXPMRx4Gj6HQbtPTg2EObL829tKAbFb8Y0mplrI0YAgYbHXr3BIrEEioJakX4aNtsSZ1LM_PgnX9CYqkwymH5u89TyBg17We4HR4/s320/blogchocolatecrate+start.jpg) |
Crate Box Painted White |
Then I chose my fonts and mapped them out on paper so that I would know exactly how to space my lettering and words. With the lettering on this box, I wanted a whimsical feel so I staggered the letting in "Cocoa" and "Chocolates." After all, chocolate is a very fun subject. At least it is for me.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKvl0kH7Fnm6pOXfwkd467-PYIKTM1ubd6Lg9a_wKDCVllTYcPdrxvp9nLAHjWwTMqhQOUD0_jd_jQP109K4ja1M9pCzlQXCqlHxaUHc8NOILVzxsJz-9HCl9oL1zvgEWWhXcQn4dyB8/s320/blogchocolatecrate0.jpg) |
Getting the Lettering Started |
When it was all mapped out, I went to work and applied the stenciling. I usually stencil, stand back and look and then go over it again to get a more solid foundation and to add depth to the coloring.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietFxPFHAZDLc4F5YFRUCPjqRP7D-2o20aqoHXxmla8Si6G4qcK2LB-jsAt5uObgDIdwTkzfxO0nhX3Ev51g7UHoTSZEtW9yRW9D5P_Q1UU55Vwy4R2Q_3mRBSHLaIxo0kPz2cE1u-tsY/s320/blogchocolatecrate1.jpg) |
Adding the Printing |
I try to make my pieces look authentic so I do the top and sides. If it's a box that could be placed down the center of a table, I will do both sides and the lid so the box has printing from all views. Sometimes I will even put "net weight" on the ends of the box. Depending how much space I need to fill to make it look real.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWar_GDbbIkU-DkboDUhnqbcPCDZFpQpEXRILqT3d7VdT5XQCbpDgT3iwDFgFxhIcm6HP16QBtk9T0P-JJe2RcC_d_ByCForeDKxj-2PtAgv1hLDulp0OiykGA0JdEkRJjrWKc155UH-Q/s320/blogchocolatecrate2.jpg) |
Printing on More than One Side to Make it Interesting |
When all the lettering is done, I go back to each letter and do a little shading to give the lettering dimension.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTVMb2dFoOwBB6VtsiWWQTHj1gqt9Iee286vgtSjN9KW9R9vDnJrYTEop_U733MDv1PaJCEYq1UmFrkFkj8XLkFfx4Aqr3sG-WN_b4Uky4lPtLQdiaXpXJDGEzt_qNLmZlcBpp6wyY24/s320/blogchocolatecrate4.jpg) |
In the End |
Then I sand the whole thing down to age it and then I go over it with a dark stain and put a glaze over it. If it's too dark, wipe your stain back with mineral spirits. After the stain or glaze sets up for 24 hours, I then spray it with a lacquer spray. This box is long enough it could be used as a mantle shelf or mounted on a wall to make a high planter. I will display this box up on my wall and put plant life in it, maybe a little trailing ivy.