Give yourself something beautiful. These statement-making Solar Powered Letters go together in minutes, using whatever boxes you have on hand. Tissue paper catches the light for a cheerful pop of bright color. And because they’re boxes they stand on their own, and you can stack and arrange them in all kinds of fun ways. Combine them with your Big Box Letters for even more possibilities.
Quick to make
No skill required
Uses any box you have on hand
Add a dash of graphic flair anywhere!
Steps At a Glance:
Ready? Here’s how:
1
You’ll need:
any box
small piece of tissue paper, any color
regular and (optional) double-sided tape
scissors or craft knife
a pencil
a pushpin, optional
2
Open up the bottom flaps and side seam by gently separating them. If the glue is stubborn try starting from the other side. It’s okay if the paper peels.
Bend all of the factory folds backwards - including the very narrow side flap - so the box will be easier to put together later.
On one of the main panels, draw your letter. Leave about a one-inch margin of box all around.
Make any kind of letter you want! If you like the look of this one, click here to see the whole alphabet.
You can put the letter going up and down like here, or sideways like the L and the O in the photo - depending on how you want to fit the letter onto your box.
3
Cut out the letter with scissors (you can make a starter hole with a pin) or with a craft knife.
Save any inside pieces you cut out from B’s, P’s, O’s, etc.
Cut out a large window from the other main panel, leaving about 3/4” all around.
4
Cut a piece of tissue paper large enough to cover the whole letter.
Lay your tissue paper over the letter, on the printed side of the box. Tape around the edges in several places.
If you have any inside pieces like the one in this P, stick them onto the outside of the tissue paper using double-sided tape. You can also use regular tape wrapped around itself sticky side out.
Don’t worry if it isn’t perfectly straight or centered. It will look great.
5
Fold the box flat to put the side seam back together and tape it closed. I like to have the very narrow flap underneath for a neater and stronger seam.
Tape the top and bottom of the box closed.
That’s it! Your awesome new letter is ready to brighten your day. Set it anywhere it can catch a little light.
If it seems tippy it’s probably because the bottom is not flat. Gently push the bottom of the box in to flatten.
I hope you enjoy making these!
Questions
What if my tissue paper fades or gets damaged?
No worries. Just peel off the old paper that shows and tape in a new piece through the open back.
Part of my letter sticks out. Can I fix it?
If part of a letter curls away from the box or just seems too floppy, it’s easy to fix. Tuck a little piece of double-sided tape underneath the problem piece, place your hand behind the tissue paper for support, and press the piece to the tissue paper.
Thank you for reading! If you have questions, please drop me a line.