Imagine gold-hunting pirates, needing a place to stash their stolen treasure. That hidden lair might look like this, like pirates just came in a hurry and threw their loot anywhere. Jewelry, gold, coins, and a lot of odd objects are guarded by fierce idols that might wake up if anyone touches the treasure. Until then, they just sit there ice cold like rocks, frozen.

Step 1: I Started With These Materials:

I used scrap cardboard cut from boxes, which I held together with staples and tape. I also had to keep certain other family members from taking over my cardboard for their own purposes.

Someone saw tape and staples weren't working too well, and gave me a hot-melt glue gun and some glue sticks. I loved that the glue held things together but it looked great as a medium too.

Step 2: Girl Cousins Donated Jewelry!

I looked all through my own house and found quite a few interesting odd objects that I added to the treasure. I didn't quite get permission for everything I found and used, so I did catch a little flack from some family-but too late, I had been a pirate. I also found interesting shaped small objects among my own old toys: legos and other toy parts. These looked great when they were slightly "buried" in glue, which I then colored with markers.

Step 3: I Scoured My House for Possible Additions:

I have girl cousins who gave me all their old, broken costume jewelry and I started my treasure with these. Other relatives saw what I was doing, and gave me some of their old jewelry too.

Step 4: I Discovered Craft Stores

My parents were afraid they'd lose more stuff so they took me to a craft store. I had no idea these were out there. Amazing stuff there. I discovered hot-melt glitter glue, colored glitter, glitter markers, cut glass gems-it was heaven. It was a great way to finish off.