Easel Post Axis Stand Large & Small

Just imagine all the uses you’ll find for this small easel: 

buffet menu, wedding table photos, card display, and more. 

Smaller size is approx. 6" tall (left) and larger is approx. 8" tall.

 Perforated connector strips between half stand shapes 

form a hex ring through which the center pole is passed. 

Slice-form six-part finial adds finishing touch at the top.

Instruction steps will use the smaller size in images (except for the shapes layout).
Assembly is virtually the same for both sizes.

ASSEMBLY:

1. Identify and cut the shapes.

(top to bottom)

6 inch size--

finial slice form shapes (6)

axis pole

side arm (lower connector strips)

side arm (higher connector strips)

back brace

(NOT SHOWN: small pole stop strip)

8 inch size--

finial slice form shapes (6)

side arm (lower connector strips)

axis pole

side arm (higher connector strips)

back brace


(NOT SHOWN: small pole stop strip)

2. Prepare the axis pole by folding on each of the long perforation lines.

3. Identify the end section of the pole shape that is the tab. Apply glue to the tab, then form the pole shape into a tube . . .

. . . overlapping the straight (non-tab) edge to the tab perforation line as precisely as possible, and glue in place.

NOTE: it will be helpful to use a standard yellow pencil as a press-against surface, as is shown here.

4. Prepare the side arm shapes. First identify the outermost perforation cuts on the connector strips, as is being indicated here .

Fold each decorative portion inward (valley fold) at that first perforations. 

(NOTE the paper for the sample being shown has violet on the backside and black on the face.)

Also fold outward (mountain folds) at each of the perforations on the connector bands. (This essentially is adding curl to the bands, pre-forming the ring that the pole will pass through in the finishing steps.)

5. Apply adhesive to one-half only of the side arm shape, and on the decorative portion only. That is, keep the connector strips completely free of adhesive.

(Consider the tiny portion of the band to the side of the first perforation line as part of the decorative side portion.)

Bring the decorative halves together, align carefully, and apply pressure to join.

Remember that the connector bands are NOT being glued together, or to anything. They should, in fact, be forming the hex ring, as is particularly apparent in the bottom of this image.

6. Prepare the back brace shape in similar fashion to the side arm shapes. Fold on outer most perforations as inward or  valley folds, then on remaining perforations as outward or mountain folds.

7. Apply glue to one half of the "decorative" or arm portion only. Bring the side "arm" shapes together and align edges carefully as they are glued.

Here you can see how the connector strip for the back brace forms the hex ring, as was the case for the side arm shapes.

8. Arrange the side shapes, and the back brace shape so that the rings begin to "stack" in their final positions.

9. Slide the axis pole through the rings in order, and line up the bottom edges of both side arm pieces with the bottom of the pole.

10. Prepare the small "stop strip" shape by folding inward on the two perforation lines. 

With the bottom edges of "feet" and pole still even, apply glue to the backside of stop shape and attach to the back of the pole under and flush to the bottom ring.

(This will help to keep the pole from sliding too far through the rings at the bottom.)

11. Prepare the finial shapes by folding each of the six as inward or "valley" folds.


12. Apply adhesive to one half of one of the first two shapes to be joined. Bring together and align a left and right half of the first pair of finial shapes. Apply pressure to join.

13. Apply adhesive to the appropriate half of the third shape to be joined, then align and join to the first pair assembly in the same manner.

This three-part assembly is half of the finial.

Prepare a second half in the same fashion.

14. Apply adhesive to the backside of one of the halves, then bring the halves together, align the edges, and join.

15. Apply glue to the stem edges of the finial lower portion, then insert into the top opening of the pole. Each of the "spokes" should line up with the angles of the hexagon opening. Hold in place until adhesive is secure.

Here is the finished (small size) easel, with sections that can pivot around the center pole. 

To use the easel, swing the side arms outward at the desired angle, with the back brace straight outward at the back.

Here is the easel in use. 

This is the 6 inch size, holding a 7x10 card.

Suitcase 3d Gift Card Box Assembly Guide

Send someone special off on their "journey"

with this memorable gift card container svg design,

new from SnapDragon Snippets.

Box is styled as a match box with outer shell

decorated with strapping, corner reinforcements,

and handle, and inner box tray with gift card platform.

Big enough, but not too big, 

it measures approx. 5” wide x 3.75” tall x 1.25” deep.

Attach layered tag that includes top frame shape

with "journey" word cutout welded in place

to make positioning the contrast cut word a cinch.

ASSEMBLY:
1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main suitcase body
B inner tray
C gift card insert
D outer banding strips (2)
E handle
F corner reinforcement shapes
G tray end panel

2. Fold the main body shape on all perforations. All folds are "mountain" folds (backside folds toward backside).

3. Position outer banding strips so that center (shorter) section perforations line up with corresponding top panel edges, and hole punches lin up.

Glue the center PORTION only . . .

. . . so that ends remain free. They will be attached once the box is closer to its final form.

4. Prepare the handle shape by bending the end sections upward slightly. Add some curl to the center section by running it along a cylinder or tool handle.

5. Position and attach the handle where the punch holes will line up at top section of main body shape.

Attach decorative brads through punch holes.

6. Fold the body shape into its finished box shape, then apply adhesive to the underside of the banding strip end sections and attach in place.

7. Connect the back bottom straight edge to the bottom flange/tab, overlaping to the tab's perforation line, and adjusting to make sure that ends of each edge line up.

8. Attach the left end of the box by applying glue to the side flaps and the end tab, then tucking the tab behind the back box edge.

It may be helpful to insert a long tool such as the eraser end of a new pencil into the interior of the box to apply pressure at the short and long tabs.

9. At the right end of the box (the tray sliding opening) press and glue each of the edge tabs back and toward the inside of the box.

10. Prepare the inner tray box by folding on all perforation lines. Fold the ends and sides up, tuck side tabs behind the end panels, and glue in place.

11. Fold all tray edge tabs to the inside and glue in place.

12. Prepare the optional gift card tray by folding the sides and end tabs back. Fold sides and ends back and attach end tabs behind adjacent panel edges to build the card platform.

13. Insert the gift card corners under the curved slots in the platform.

Insert the platform into the tray box.

14. If your tray paper does not match the main suitcase body paper (and you want it to) position the end panel over the tray end panel and attach in place.

15. To prepare the gift box for giving, insert the tray end into the main box open end and slide into place.

16. Prepare the corner reinforcement shapes by folding on perforations.

Apply adhesive, then attach the shapes:

three-section shapes are attached at the top left main body corners

two-section shapes are attached at the two top tray opening corners, and the two top non-opening corners













one-section shapes are attached at the tray  front bottom corners, and . . .

. . . and at the four corners of the tray end panel.



(NOTE: there are no reinforcement corners on the bottom of the box.)

17. Layer the tag back whole shape with the window shape. Apply eyelet at the punch hole, if desired. Attach the word cutout over the front of the tag to cover the word area cutout on the top tag layer. 

Attach tag with chain, twine or ribbon tot he handle, as desired.


Suitcase gift card box is complete!

Eiffel Tower "Dream" Teepee Card Tutorial

Celebrate anything French or Parisian

with this new teepee-shaped dimensional card

from SnapDragon Snippets.

Folds flat for mailing or giving, then "expands"

to be ribbon-tied at the back into it's standing pyramid shape.

Front adornments include a two-part Eiffel Tower silhouette,

"dream" word cutout, mini pennant swag, embellished fleur de lis,

layered heart (with other added touches using your own creativity).

This version is taller than usual, standing about 8.5".

ASSEMBLY:

1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A left half teepee card base

B right half teepee card base

C center front accent teepee shape

D left and right sides accent shapes

E Eiffel Tower base shape

F Eiffel Tower offset inner shape

G fold-over pennant flags (5)

H "dream" word cutout

I fleur de lis shape 

2. Fold the two base teepee shapes on their vertical perforation lines as shown.

Overlap the straight right edge of the left base at the tab perforation line of the other half, adjust so that top and bottom tips line up, and glue together.

3. Position and glue in place the center and two side teepee accent shapes offset within their respective base panels. Make sure that the punch holes of each layer line up as perfectly as possible.

4. Layer the Eiffel Tower base and inner shapes and glue together.

5. Position the tower and "dream" word shape on the front panel to see where the word will be best placed, then remove the tower shape and glue the word shape in place.

Glue the tower shape in place (take care to line up the pennant banner punch holes of all layers).

NOTE that the original design layout includes having the "dream" upper edges hang off the front panel edge when the card is in standing position.

6. Prepare the pennant string by threading ends through hole punches, tying a knot on the back to anchor one side, then adjusting for length on front, tying second end knot on the back and trimming away excess.

NOTE that the original design has the string hanging about halfway up the tower arch at center bottom.

7. Decide on your flag color arrangement, then apply glue to half of the first (CENTER) flag, fold it over the string at center, and glue front and back with string between.

Continue the positioning process for the remaining left and right pairs of flags, taking care to space them evenly.

8. Prepare the built-up heart "button" by layering the hearts to form one thickened heart shape.

Thread a short length of string, twine, narrow ribbon, etc., through holes and tie a knot and bow (trim excess ends).

Position and glue the button in place near the top of the tower.

9. Add embellishments to the fleur de lis shape, if desired, then position and attach it on the left side of the front panel.

10. Add other embellishments as desired.

The sample project includes a metal key "found object" that is attached with a narrow ribbon loop. Desired position was determined, then a sharp tool (awl) was used to pierce the front panel. Ribbon was threaded through the hole, looped through key top, threaded back through the hole, then tied off and attached on the backside of the card.

11. To "assemble" the card into the pyramid or "teepee" shape for display, slide the plain base panel behind the opposite panel until ribbon holes line up.

Thread a length of silk-like ribbon through the pair of holes on each side of the "back" ridge, and tie a knot and bow.

Here is the completed card on display.