Major Tom's TdM ~ My Box

I make a style of Tarot box using matte board, corner tape,
and decoupage (it dries like iron, in gloss of matte finishes).
Sometimes I paint over the first coat of decoupage and then
finish with a final layer, and even add an image to the front.

For my copy of Major Tom's Tarot de Marseille from the
Melbourne 2005 Conference (a present sent by Rosanne)
I used both colour and images, on both front and back.

Using scans I made of the 2 of Cups and 2 of Coins,
I fixed the images to the box with gloss decoupage.

Here is the deck with its beautiful bag and the box:
click on to view ~ image of complete deck set.

Here is a picture of just the back of the box:
click on to view ~ image of back of box.

And finally, a picture of the front and back
of the box, placed together, side by side:
click on to view ~ side by side image.

This deck is a special keepsake in my collection,
and now it has its own custom box for all time.

Thanks Major Tom, and Thanks Rosanne!

hi fulgour
your box is very pretty... gives me an idea to try the same one day soon!!! it's a great idea!
and the deck seems very interesting...wonder where I could get one!!!
i used to make decoupage jewellery boxes and stuff like that years back for personal use~but forgot all about it till u showed up with yours'~~!!!


mich

Very nice work, Fulgour.

This is the kind of creativity I will need to work on to make a whole draw with divisions for some of my decks... thanks for the inspiration, and of course, I do not expect my effort to come close!

Neat job

Cool idea!!! And very practical: you can see at one glance which deck is housed in the box (whereas I often have to check which baggy houses which deck, LOL).

Hm, either I have to work on my practical skills or I'd better get and fetch a whole stack of ready made cardboard boxes and embellish them with scans of tarot cards. Fulgour, you truly inspired me!!!

Beautiful! I use latched pine boxes I pick up at the art supply shop when they are on sale or I have a 50%-off coupon (so they are only a dollar or two). I am in the process of gesso-and-painting them now, and your work is inspiring me to get busier and get them done!

Thank you for sharing.

Absolutely gorgeous! Hehe you know I think your boxes are great. Still loving the one you sent the RWS in. Many thanks...

Fulgour: The box is well-made & admire the work invested in it.

Especially like that its colours stunningly compliment Major Tom's Tarot de Marseille.

michmm: Try contacting Tarot Garden to see if any copies left.

As far as I know--& JMD can correct me--only a 50-copy print run produced for the express purpose of making it available at the 2005 Melbourne International Tarot Conference held last July.

Tarot Garden has it as an off-line inventory, which means they may have a deck or two available.

Failing that, it may be worth contacting Major Tom, as he may have reprinted the deck (though the cardstock, and Two Cups panel, will be different).

As a matter of interest, Fulgour, how much leeway do you allow for the cards to easily fit into the box, without being either loose or too tight? For example, about a 2mm 'spacing' all around?

jmd said:

As a matter of interest, Fulgour, how much leeway do you allow for the cards to easily fit into the box, without being either loose or too tight? For example, about a 2mm 'spacing' all around?

Click to expand...

I have learned through long experience to build as I go.
First, I make a direct outline of a card. A physical trace.
Then I add 1/16 of an inch full to that, on all four sides.

Beginning with the tray (bottom) I then measure depth.
That is, the height of the deck, plus a little bit more...
3/16 to 1/8th is comfortable. I then make just the tray.
Making the tray first saves finding out the lid doesn't fit!

Once the tray is made (artists matte board works great)
I cut out the corners to the depth and fold the four flaps
by laying the piece over a hard straight edge, not round.

The 'tape' I use for the corners is actually address labels,
which usually fit the deeper tray without being trimmed.
[Note: I've switched tape to regualr Scotch brand. ]

Now, working from the completed tray, I measure again,
adding another 1/16th on all four sides, but making the
depth less to grip: the lid shouldn't fit all the way down.

The decoupage is great! I only finish the outer sides and
three coats gets a good hard surface. If I add acrylics or
a card image (or any desired image) there is a final coat,
which seals everything. I knead them gently when dried.
And I gently press down any rough edges on the creases
after the decoupage has dried ~ it's a very hands-on job.

Trial & Error taught me Everything I know, but a full-size
sheet of matte board will yield 12 to 15 boxes (with luck).
For Major Tom's TdM I left room for the bag to fit also.