I recently completed a batch of a dozen new decorative multi-day pillboxes, seven of which feature a unique “tray bezel” embellishment. The bezels contain several layers, including enamel paints, glitter, dichroic glass cabochons, and clear jewelry quality resin, to produce gorgeous and unique effects.
The process to create these lovely bezeled pillboxes was quite time consuming, due to the cure times of some of the various components.
Step 1: I created large and small septagon patterns on my computer in sizes that are a bit smaller than the stained glass tops of the two sizes of sepagon pillbox base boxes I use.
Step 2: I created the septagonal outside “wall” of each bezel by wrapping flat goldtone, silvertone, or coppertone wire around a jig I made by pounding nails into a piece of wood. I created a large and small bezel in each of the three colors for a total of six bezels.
Step 3: When these metal pieces were formed and laying flat (on edge), I stuck them to clear packing tape (sticky side up) to form the bottom side of the bezel. I used packing tape also to secure the joint where the two ends of the metal met vertically.
Step 4: I mixed poured a thin layer of resin into the bottom of the bezels and let it cure three days.
Step 5: I removed the packing tape from the bottom of the bezels.
Step 6: I added a variety of Pebeo Fantasy Moon and Prisme enamels to each bezel, leaving an open area roughly in the center of each one, to retain the transparency of the resin layer. I let this layer cure 24 hours.
Step 7: I chose and glued dichroic glass cabochons to the centers of the clear resin areas on each bezel and let the glue cure for 24 hours.
Step 8: I strategically sprinkled colored glitter into the designs on some of the bezels
Step 8: I mixed and added a layer of clear resin to fill each bezel to the top and let this layer cure 3 days.
Step 9: I cut and ground the edges of stained glass tops for each of the pillboxes.
Step 10: I glued the stained glass tops onto their septagonal pillbox bases and let the glue cure for 24 hours.
Step 11: I glued the completed bezels onto the stained glass tops of the pillboxes and let the glue cure for 24 hours.
Step 12: I turned the septagonal pillboxes over and glued cabochons in the center holes of each box and let the glue cure for 24 hours.
I was pleased with the effect of the transparent centers of these bezels, as they allowed the colors of the stained glass to show through, as shown in the Blue Small Septagon pillbox below.
As part of this new bezel project, I experimented with forming the bezel exterior into a shape other than a septagon. Being an avid horse person, of course my first thought was to try to create a horse head bezel. This bezel went into production along with the rest of the bezels. I chose grey and pearly white enamels to assure the horse was my favorite color, grey with a dark wispy mane, and gave it an emerald cut diamond-like rhinestone eye. When complete, the bezel was mounted on rainbow iridescent stained glass. For durability and extra bling, I coated this delicate glass with a glitter-filled layer of resin, surrounding the bezel. This box pleased me so much that it has been dedicated to my personal use.
Do contact me if you would like me to create a custom pillbox including a tray bezel. If you want a shape other than a septagon, I’d be happy to create and fill a bezel in that shape. Think about it! The bezel could represent your favorite pet, symbol, initial, or . . . ? You name it!
This batch of pillboxes also includes three Medium 14-dose pillboxes with the same rainbow iridescent stained glass I sued on my personal horse head box. Their additional embellishments include a glass leaf, dichroic glass cabochon, and jeweltone acrylic nuggets, all embedded in layer of glitter filled clear resin, adding durability to this delicate stained glass. The effects on these boxes are dazzling, especially in the sunlight. One of these boxes (already sold) included a large rectangular iridescent dichroc glass cabochon surrounded by a layer of resin containing a lacy scroll pattern of glitter.
Another Small Septagon pillbox in this batch features a traditional round studded goldtone bezel filled with similar contents as my personally created tray bezels. The bezel rests on beautiful Tiger Sunset stained glass.
Also featuring the same Tiger Sunset stained glass, the last pillbox in this batch seems almost tame, compared to the others, but it is still lovely and includes the tiger’s spots. This Tiger Sunset Large 14-dose pillbox features a spotted glass snail shell atop a slab of sunset hued stained glass. An iridescent round crystal bead also adorns the shell.
The first pillbox in this batch sold the day I posted it on my website, so if you are interested in any of these pillboxes, you may need to act fast. Check them out on my website’s readymade pillbox page. Click on the pictures on that page to view details and many more pictures of each pillbox. If the one you love is gone, you may order a custom pillbox in a similar style or the style and color(s) of your choosing. Adding a bezel or dichroic glass embellishment to a custom box will cost a little bit extra, but as you can see, they are quite lovely, and the bezels take quite a bit of work to create.
