About Carole's Boxes in Hartford, Wisconsin

Carole Robb has been crafting decorative boxes in her Hartford, Wisconsin studio for over two decades. What started as a fascination with European antique markets grew into a full creative practice. Each piece starts as a raw wood form and is transformed through layers of paint, gilding, aging techniques, and hand-applied finishes.

The result is a box that looks like it belongs in a European antique shop, not a craft fair booth. Carole's work has found homes across the United States, given as wedding gifts, anniversary presents, and personal keepsakes.

Techniques and Influences

Carole draws from Italian, French, and Eastern European decorative traditions. Her techniques include crackle finishing, gold leafing, decoupage, faux marbling, and hand-painted ornamentation. Each technique requires patience. A single box may pass through ten or more stages before it is complete.

Influences come from the decorative arts of Tuscany, the painted furniture traditions of Central Europe, and the gilded objects found in Venetian workshops. Every box reflects these traditions while remaining distinctly Carole's own work.

The Studio

Carole works from her home studio in Hartford, Wisconsin. The studio is filled with paints, gold leaf, brushes, and boxes in various stages of completion. Visitors are welcome by appointment. It is the best way to see the full range of work and discuss a custom commission in person.

Custom Commissions

Commissions are welcome for custom sizes, colors, and designs. Whether you need a wedding keepsake box in specific colors, a jewelry chest to match your decor, or a one-of-a-kind gift, Carole can work with you to create something personal. Most custom orders take 2 to 4 weeks depending on complexity.