From Blocks to Boxes
Instructor Paula Krieg

Virtual Workshop
Thursday November 13, 2025
6 to 8:30 PM Eastern Standard Time
From wherever you are in the world, via Zoom.

This workshop will be recorded, and video will be available to registered students for at least 30 days after the workshop.

Inspired by the shapes of wooden pattern blocks, this workshop scales up and expands these geometric solids to enable you to construct practical and playful items. Our blocks and boxes will be made from cover-weight paper, using hidden magnets to increase impromptu sculptural possibilities. We will explore decorating the surfaces of our blocks, with an emphasis on fractal embellishments, and learn how to modify the provided templates to assemble the blocks into unusual boxes with closures. Your blocks and boxes will be decorative, inviting, and most importantly, whimsical and personal.

REGISTRATION

Advance registration is required for all JCBA workshops. For more details or to register, email JCBA Director John Cutrone at jcutrone@fau.edu. Class limit: 16.

Tuition

This workshop has a set tuition of $100. Optional workshop kit is available directly from the instructor (see link below for details... and keep in mind you will need to order the kit, should you want it, at least 3 weeks before workshop date). We recommend registering early!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

- Computer or tablet with Internet connection.
- 10-page PDF that will be provided to you, which you will print on regular white copy paper.
- Cutting tools of choice; we recommend scissors and a craft knife.
- Straight edges rulers: a 12” ruler and a smaller size.
- Ballpoint Pen, Pencil, and (optional) bright colored pencil.
- Bone Folder.
- Awl (optional).
- As many sheets of 8 ½” x 11” card weight paper (65lb/176gsm) as blocks you would like to make. I recommend Park Lane Cardstock (Park Lane makes has a nice black) or Astrobrights black or colored Cardstock. We will use 6 – 9 sheets in class.
- Glue Stick such as clear UHU brand, AND
- PVA with brush, or in a squeeze bottle, such as Bearly Craft Glue.
- Optional embellishment pack.

If you want to include magnets in your blocks (and we hope you do), purchase:
- 12 x 2mm flat refrigerator magnets, preferable made by Eokoaiee (12.99 on Amazon).
- Glue Dots such as Gorilla Permanent Adhesive Dots, Double-Sided, Clear, 0.5" Diameter.

OPTIONAL SUPPLY KIT AVAILABLE

You may purchase a paper pack 3 weeks before class by contacting the instructor directly or through Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4378930412/paper-pack-for-blocks-and-boxes-class?etsrc=sdt The pack will include 8 ½ x 11 inch papers: 9 black card weight papers, 9 pages of template sprinted on copy paper, a variety of colorful Astrobright papers, 7 pages of punch out pattern block shapes to use as decoration, and 60 glue dots. It will NOT include magnets, as they are tricky to ship.

Instructor

Paula Krieg has been designing, teaching, and chronicling paper and book arts projects for the past thirty years.