Cool case: the DIY wooden jewellery box
- Difficultymedium
- Cost< 50 £
- Duration3 - 8 h
Do you have a lot of jewellery and no place to put it all? Then just build the perfect jewellery box for yourself. We show you how you can build a beautiful wooden jewellery box with an attractive velvet lining in just a few steps. This stylish case also makes the perfect gift.
Let's go - step by step
Cutting the boards
As mentioned in the material list, you will need six hardwood boards to make your box. When you purchase the boards at the DIY store, make sure that they are slightly longer than is specified in the list.
To build the frame of your box, you first have to mitre-cut the edges of four boards (if you have never made mitre cuts before, click here to learn everything you need to know).
In this first step, start by cutting one side of each board. Before you begin sawing, make sure to secure the piece of wood to the work surface using a G-clamp. To make the mitre cut, set to the NanoBlade saw to a 45-degree angle.
Before you begin to saw, make sure you are wearing your protective goggles and ear protection.
Sawing in a straight line is easier when you use a second, thin piece of wood secured to the work surface as a guide.
Measuring the boards
Flip your four boards over so that the longer sides face upward. For the two longer boards, measure 21 cm from the edge. For the two shorter sides, measure 14 cm. Transfer the measurements to the wood using an angle measurer.
Cutting the boards
Orient your boards as described in Step 2 and make a mitre cut on the other side of the boards at a 45-degree angle. Proceed as described in Step 1.
After you are finished with this step, you should have two boards measuring 21 x 11 cm on the long sides and two boards measuring 14 x 11 cm on the long sides.
Gluing the frame of the box
You have successfully completed the complicated mitre cuts. Now lay your four boards on the table with the longer sides facing upward. Line up the boards one after another so that the shorter ends touch. Join the ends of your boards using adhesive tape.
Now turn over your taped boards. Apply wood glue to the inside edges of the boards.
Finally, fold the boards upwards and glue each of the four corners together. Now secure both outside edges with adhesive tape. You should now have a rectangular frame for your box.
Measuring the bottom and lid, sawing and sanding
Your jewellery box naturally needs a bottom and a lid. In order to build these pieces, you first need to measure the inner edges of the frame. Transfer the measurements to two boards and saw them to the correct size.
If the edges of the boards have been oiled or waxed, sand off this coating using a sanding sponge or sandpaper before gluing. Make sure to wear a mask while sanding.
Gluing and inserting the bottom and the lid
Now apply glue to all edges of the boards for the bottom and lid. Then you can insert both parts into the frame. Now allow the finished box to dry completely.
Sanding
When the box is dry, secure it using G-clamps and sand all of the sides until smooth. To do this, you can use a multi-sander with a grain size of 120.
Sawing the lid
To build the lid of the box, you now have to saw it off from the main body. Measure the height of the lid (3 cm) from the upper edge of the box and draw the measurement along all sides of the wooden box. Use G-clamps to secure the box and saw off the lid using the NanoBlade saw. When sawing, begin by making an initial cut into the side of the box and then sawing around the box, one side after another.
After sawing off the lid, you can sand down the edges to ensure that all surfaces are smooth.
Attaching the piano hinge and the fastener
Attach the top edge of the box and the bottom edge of the lid to the piano hinge using a cordless screwdriver.
Creating and inserting the lining
Now you will put the finishing touches on the inside of the jewellery box. To make the lining, you first have to cut six pieces of plywood in the dimensions listed above.
Cut the velvet for all of the plywood pieces to roughly the right size and carefully staple each piece of fabric in place.
Now insert the six lined plywood pieces into the jewellery box.
You can also use a bit of glue to secure the lining.
Decorating the box
If you like, and if the inspiration strikes, you can decorate your jewellery box with your own unique patterns. The Dremel Stylo+ is the perfect tool for the job. The small, multi-functional tool is designed to handle just like a normal pen and covers a range of applications, such as etching, engraving or polishing.
To give your box a sophisticated gloss, you can oil the wood using wood oil.
Now, you just have to fill up your treasure chest with jewellery or other small valuables - that part is all up to you.