Fingers in a Box

$10 - $15 (based on 2015 prices)

Makes one box 

The finger-in-a-box trick has been around for decades and reached a level of triteness long before I was born. For my adaptation, I decided to remove the trick element entirely and, utilizing the same basic elements, transform it into a static specimen prop for a mad scientist’s laboratory. You can use a smaller box for a lone finger or a larger version to house more substantial organs (think of the fun you could have on Valentine’s Day).

• One black cardboard gift box (5" x 5")
• One piece of 8” x 11.5” cardstock with specimen labels printed on it
• At least four tablespoons of black tea (e.g. Darjeeling, Earl Gary, English Breakfast, etc.)
• One pan large enough to soak the cardstock
• One 4 oz. bottle of all-purpose tacky glue*
• One 1 oz. bottle of fake blood (learn how to make your own here)
• One yard of white cheese cloth
• Five fake fingers (learn how to make these here)

1. Boil enough water to completely submerge the cardstock and pour it into the pan. Add the tea. The longer you allow the tea to brew, the darker the stain will become. Likewise, greater amounts of tea will produce a richer stain. I found that a combination of English and Irish Breakfast brewed for over ten minutes produces a nice, deep brown. Submerge the cardstock into the tea mixture and soak it until it reaches the color you desire. I soaked mine for eight hours and scattered the loose-leaf tea over the top to add spots. Remove the cardstock from the water and allow it to dry.

2. Transform the box into a display by connecting the base and lid together in an L shape and gluing the joint for reinforcement.

3. On a newspaper-line surface, cut the cheese cloth into a section large enough fit crumbled at the bottom of the box. You want the cloth to be noticeable after the fingers have been placed on top of it, so do not be conservative with the size of your section. Once cut, splatter the cloth with blood, creating drops and smudges.

4. After the cardstock has dried, cut out one of the labels, leaving a small boarder around its edges. Use sandpaper to fray its sides and create holes. Once you have achieved your desired level of distress, glue the label to the inside of the lid. You can use olive or vegetable oil to add further stains. I discovered that applying a small amount of oil to your index finger and patting it on the label works well.

5. Ball up the bloodied cloth and place it inside the box’s base. You may have to play with its positioning before placing the specimen on top. After the cloth is situated, add the fingers. To add drama, refrain from lining them in a straight row. Rather, cluster them in the center at odd angles.

*You will not use the entire bottle’s content for this project.