Prima's Memory Hardware by Frank Garcia - Pirate Chest - with Escape Kitty

Prima and Frank Garcia's - Memory Hardware Showcase ( with the help of Escape Kitty)

You can see the original post on Prima's blog here

I have a whole lot of scrumptious Memory Hardware going on. I love it .  I actually have a tutorial if you scroll down– showing exactly how I used the hardware.

The Memory Hardware collection is bursting with fun, unique and rich products.  What can be more rich than a pirates treasure chest filled with chains and trinkets.  I had a lot of fun with this piece utilizing so many wonderful items from the Memory Hardware line.  

I have a helper who also loves the treasure chest.  My little Escape Kitty makes a dashing pirate.  I cannot lie. She prefers a chest filled with cat toys and catnip booty.  

Because Escape Kitty cracks me up....here is a second photo.  

 The "Before" photos. 

This was a treasure chest left over from a Halloween clearance sale.  I love finding goodies on the "cheap".  I admit I can get carried away with storing cool things for future use and I was happy to tell my husband that I actually used something from "THAT SHELF".   "That Shelf" as he calls it -the junk shelf with all my clearance finds.  It's a marvelous shelf of happiness. 

Plus it was pre-painted.  BONUS!

This is obviously the "Before and After" photo.  Pretty dramatic. But honestly the project is only as good as the richness and quality of the products.  Which is why I adore Frank's Memory Hardware collection. 

How Did I Make This? 

Typically, projects look complex and difficult when first viewed.  When the steps are broken out, it suddenly becomes a little easier.  This is not a difficult project.  I'll show you:

Step 1.  Cut paper to fit the chest and accent with Artisan Powders. I used Prima and Frank Garcia's wonderful French Riviera collection.  My Artisan Powder is Umber. 

Step 2.  Once the papers are in place, I added Memory Hardware Antique Screws to each corner.  I am going to drape some Memory Hardware chains and I want them to be secure.  This is an easy and durable solution.  When making an "off the page" project or altering home decor, I try to think durability.  

The screws did twist into the wood without the aid of any tools but I had a paper piercing tool ready to punch a small hole just in case.  

Step 3.  Time to pull out the Prima Paper Clay and IOD Moulds.  

Step 4.  I let the moulds dry overnight then I started distressing them. I have a few different steps for distressing these.  

I used all three Memory Hardware Artisan Powders even though only two are shown (Clay Brown, Black and Umber. )   I sprinkled a little powder on my craft mat and added a bit of water.  Then I painted onto the moulds getting into all the crevasses.  

Step 5.  I topped the moulds with Prima Color Bloom in Antique Gold. 

Step 6.   Before I added the finished mould to my piece I wanted to distress the box.  I felt the black pre-painted chest was too stark and unexciting.  I created a wash by spraying Prima Color Bloom Antique Gold onto a paper towel and rubbing it all over the chest.  This actually helped blend the paper and wood perfectly to create a more uniform look. A nice finishing touch.  

Step 7.   First of all- look at the warm golden sheen on my project.  I love it.  The wash is perfect.  

I used a strong glue to secure the mould - Beacons 3In1,  It holds almost everything - and is way more dependable than hot glue.  Hot glue will degrade in a very short time.  Give this chest a year on a dresser and the mould may fall off if I had used hot glue.  
Step 8.   Next is to start adorning the piece with Memory Hardware chains.  This is where my Antique Screws come into play.  I simply string the chains through the screws.   EASY

A better close up of my process. 

Step 9.   Time to gussy up the chest by adding treasures and trinkets.  In this next step I combined two of my favorite Memory Hardware products to make a customized trinket. 

 I am using Beacons 3in1 glue  here as well because it's strong, durable and dries crystal clear.  I did be sure to dry this completely before continuing with the next steps.   

Step 10.   I did have to pull out my needle nose pliers for this step.  In order to secure the chain to the trinket, I  added Memory Hardware Rings to  each side.  I secured them tightly with the pliers.    I'll show you both the front and the back.  I used this trinket horizonally as I thought it was a better fit for my piece. 

  Here is the backside of the trinket

Step 11.   A " whoops " learning moment.  I added my trinket to the chain and continued to finish my project.   I realized the trinket was a little too droopy  and heavy looking without support. 

I added another screw to the front of the chest and attached it to the trinket.  I also needed my handy pliers for this as well. A little re-engineering backtrack and all was fixed.

Now I was ready to continue stringing  the chains.  

Step 12.   I secured the chain by using a Memory Hardware Ring and dangling the coin trinkets from La Rochelle Trinkets pack.  I honestly have no idea what a doubloon looks like so these are  now my pirate doubloons.  

Here is the finished Pirate Treasure Box:  

( my stars were the cool  Finnabair Mechanicals - Vintage Brads Stars)

Thanks a bunch for stopping!

and special thanks to Escape Kitty who does put up with a lot from me. 


Here are the wonderful products I used:

991197 Prima - Memory Hardware - Artisian Powder - Parthenay (Clay)

991203    Prima - Memory Hardware - Artisian Powder - La Chapeliere ( Umber)

991210     Prima - Memory Hardware - Artisian Powder - Vausseroux ( Black)

991142  Prima - Memory Hardware - Vintage Trinkets - Strasbourg

990725   Prima - Memory Hardware - La Rochelle Antique Trinkets

991050  Prima - Memory Hardware - Cours Mirabeau Floral Lace

990732  Prima - Memory Hardware - Genouille Antique Screws
990664  Prima - Memory Hardware - Montagnac Antique Cord Chain - Antique Brass
990763  Prima - Frank Garcia - paper 12x12 French Riviera-Respirer l'air de La Mer 

990626  Prima - Memory Hardware - Villeneuve Antique Rings

814991  Prima - Iron Orchid Desgins - Paper Clay
814809   Prima - Iron Orchid Desgins - Vintage Art Decor Mould - Baroque 4
814823   Prima - Iron Orchid Desgins - Vintage Art Decor Mould - Baroque 6
573843   Prima - Color Bloom - Spray Mist - Antique Gold
961169   Prima - Finnabair Mechanicals - Vintage Trinkets - Brads - Stars

Other Products:
Hemp Twine Cording
Vintage Brown colored ink
wooden pirates chest