Burnished balsa wood container.....My Hobbit Case

Last night I played a bit with my duct tape and a balsa wood container that was purchased from the Dollar Store years ago and has been sitting on my shelf awaiting it's fate.  It is a flimsy odd shaped thing so it was felt that if this project was an utter failure I could just toss it in the bin. 


This is what I started with......

Not sure which direction I want this to sit, but I did cut off the elastic tie that secures the lid shut.  I will deal with a closure afterwards.  

 I decided to put legs on it and sit it in this direction.  The top is very fragile so I will have to be very gentle during the burnishing process.  Fingers crossed.

After burnishing I applied black paint, wiped it off, and  added dabs of turquoise and metallic red rust here and there.  There is also a strip of lace on the front which gives the impression of tree bark.  Now that I look at, the finished product  looks like a log.....so perhaps it is a  piece of furniture from a Hobbit Hole.  Note the few  turquoise stones and crystals placed on the lid and on the sides.  A Hobbit would like those additions.

A closer look at the top with its buttons, bottle cap, bolt, and wing nut.  There is also one side of a zipper that goes along on edge and a chain in an S form. Lots of bits and pieces that I found scattered on my hubby's work bench.  I am sure he won't miss them.  

Can you see the Ladybug?  The mini clothespin?

And its underpants were composed of old music paper, text and some sewing pattern paper....I must have sewing pattern paper...I love that stuff.  

A fun little project.  What's next?