Petal Top Column Box with Star Wand

Festive gift box features six pointed top extensions 

that swirl closed to form a stylized poinsettia-like flower. 

Notches at center point hold four sides 

of star wand’s post. 

Dimensional five point star has built-up rim that creates 

a recess where raised points fit, 

with optional contrast accent overlay. 

Wand is built as four-sided tube wrapped around 

a .25” diam. wooden dowel cut to size. 

Create this box to celebrate the Bethlehem 

Christmas star, or a as princess or 

magician wand for birthday. 

Box compartment measures approx. 4.25” tall 

(plus petal top) with 3.22 long x 2.79” deep base. 

Star with attached wand is 

approx. 11.5” tall x 4.18” wide (star point to point).

ASSEMBLY:  1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A box hull   B triangle hull accent overlays (6)

C interior floor hexagon

D exterior floor hexagon (overlay)

E insert to stabilize wand end

F wand end collar stack hexagons (5-6)

G insert strut ring (helps keep 

insert top from compressing downward)

H star backside/base and star rim (4-5)

I dimensional star face

J opt. star half-point overlays (5)

K star wand wrap

L bracket to help secure wand to star back

NOTE: if assembling only the box, use

the "plain" box hull, plus shapes B (opt.), C, D

GLUE-UP PREPARATION

2. Stack and glue together the components

which need to be so they can be drying,

taking care that all cut edges are aligned

as precisely as possible, then press:

A) insert hexagon collar;

B) star rim "hollow" shapes;

C) star rim glued to prepared star rim . . .

.  . . which can be pressed under a heavy flat

weight such as this "antique" flat iron.

BOX HULL

3. Prepare the main hull shape by bending back on

ALL vertical perforation lines, as well as . . .

. . . on the horizontal cross perf line that helps define

the hull wall panels, plus side flanges and bottom tabs.

Also, on the diagonal lines near the petal point

extensions, bend and crease the diagonal lines

forward to create a triangle top closure panel

above each of the wall segments.

As these diagonal lines are bent and folded,

take care that the crease does not extend

beyond the corner where wall panels begin.

The folds are somewhat easier to view on

this un-patterned paper sample.

4. While the box hull is still in its flat form,

position and attach each of the accent triangle

overlays centered at the bottom of each of the side wall

panels, with triangle bottom aligned along 

bottom-of-panel perforation line. Press until dried.

5. Form the hull into a hex tube to bring side edges

together, overlap straight side edge across side

flanges to perforation line, adjust for top-to-bottom

alignment, then glue the side seam.

NOTE that the symmetry of the hull allows it

to be flattened to apply fingertip pressure

all along the side seam until dried. Pop back

into tube form before proceeding.

6. Prepare to add the floor hex panel to hull tube

by applying adhesive to the underside of each

bottom tab, then . . .

. . . slide the interior hexagon into bottom of tube,

then adjust until it is perpendicular to walls . . .

. . . and press tabs inward around hex floor edges.

NOTE it may be helpful or necessary to

invert the tube with floor on a flat work surface

and reach a hand (or other tool) inside to press

around hex edges to secure each tab in place.

7. On outside, position and attach the exterior hex

panel to conceal the interior hex and tabs.

SUPPORT INSERT

8. Prepare the insert shape by bending back on

all perforation lines for bottom panel, side walls

and tabs, lid panel. Also press the four triangles

of the post hole using the end of pencil or tool.

9. On the insert floor interior surface (the sample

card stock has a red backside) locate the dash line

guide for post/collar position, then position the inner

square opening exactly over the dash guide line square

and attach securely. Press in place until dry.

10. To attach the "strut" which will help support

the top of the insert, first bend back on the strip's

vertical perf lines, including end tab.

Next, apply glue to the side edges of hex collar.

Wrap the strut strip around the collar, with a bend

exactly at each corner. Finally bend the end tab

in place across the strip's end edge and glue in place.

11. Form the insert box by bending the sides back

to perpendicular to align and glue each side seam

(straight side edge should overlap tab to perf line).

12. Bend upper tabs inward, then apply glue to upward

surfaces. Bend "lid" panel down into position to

attach at each tab. Adjust all around so that hex

corner angles match up with box corners as

precisely as possible.

13. If possible to still identify the insert's front panel

which is the connected wall side, then insert carefully

into the hull open top.

Keeping the insert perpendicular to walls, slowly

push it down into position at the very bottom

of tube. 

STAR & WAND

14. Prepare the dimensional star front by bending

back on all perforation lines for points and centers,

edge flanges. Position and attach each of the opt.

half-point overlays on the defined-by-perforation

left halves.

15. To continue with star assembly,

follow this LINK: STAR Steps 3-5, 10-11,

then return to continue this project's assembly guide.

(NOTE that for this project, the wand should be

positioned and attached approx. 1/2" above the vertical

center of star so that joined wand & star are 

approx. 11.5" tall. Position bracket approx. .25" below

top of wand.)

16. Prepare the wand wrap by bending back on all

long perforation lines, as well as top end panel

and tiny wedge tabs.

17. Form the shape into a tube to align and glue

the side seam.

NOTE that the symmetry of the shape allows it to be

flattened on work surface to be able to apply

fingertip pressure all along the seam edge to

make sure it is attached securely.

18. Insert uncut .25" diam. wooden dowel into tube

and push to top of tube . . .

. . . where top panel and tabs can bend snugly

at pre-cut dowel end. Bend tabs inward, top down

adjust and glue in place (only to each other).

At bottom end of tube, mark cut line onto dowel,

then remove dowel and cut to size at marked line.

Re-insert dowel into tube and glue in place.

FINISHING

19. Before closing the box, re-locate the "front"

of the insert hole inside, and make note of which

of the hexagon hull's front panel squares up with

the square hole front edge -- this will be the box

FRONT panel. Consider marking it with a temporary

piece of tape, or with a tiny pin hole or pen mark.

20. To close the box, carefully begin to "swirl"

the petal extensions in counter-clockwise

direction, each petal overlapping the adjacent one.

As circuit is completed, the final petal or two

will need to be gently twisted and lifted to allow

it to overlap the beginning petal.

When petals have been arranged correctly

and the swirl arrangement is completed,

the resulting star shape should flatten

when manipulated to form the hole for wand.

20. Complete the star wand box by inserting

bottom wand end through closure top hole and down

through interior. When you feel it reach the insert's

top panel, it will be necessary to "fish around"

until the end finds the square opening, then

continue pushing into place until fully seated.

21. Add bow or other decorations as desired.