DIY: Making Your Own Jewelry Box Part I - Painting

This is one of my all-time favorite crafts!  It is simple, inexpensive and yet so much fun; there is so much versatility – the options for creativity are endless!  Here is one I made recently.

Let me take you through it step by step so that you can make your own!

What you will need:

Part I

-     -  Wooden jewelry box (I got this one for less than $5 at Walmart)

-     -  Paintbrushes (a variety of sizes is best, and it is good to have at least one medium sized            brush with a slanted edge)

-     -  Paint (I used FolkArt Multi-Purpose Paint that I bought at Walmart for around $1 ea., but      you can also use acrylic paint or paint specifically for wood if you prefer)

-     -  Masking Tape

-     -  Newspaper and Paper towels

-     -  Water Cup

-     -  Palette or paper plate

-     -  Pencil

     Part II

-     -  Jewelry Box Hinges – These were perfect for what I was looking for: Brass Hinges

-     -  Jewelry Box Feet – Dlawless LINK

-     -  Jewelry Box Corners – I used these lovely engraved corners: Brass Box Corner

-     -  Jewelry Box Clasp – I used this one: Mini Draw Catch

1. Set Up Your Station.  Get the newspaper laid down over your work surface, get your water cup ready and your paper towels handy.
2. Wipe Down the Jewelry Box.  Dap a small piece of paper towel in the water and rub the surfaces of the jewelry box to make sure and get any dirt off of it.  Let it dry for a few minutes.
   
   
   
   
   
3.  First Coat of Paint for Main Color.  Once you have decided your color scheme and any designs you can begin to paint.  I usually begin with the main color first; in this case I started with the black.  For the first coat it is not necessary to be extra careful.   As you can see I did not exactly stay perfectly within the lines.  However, I do try to be somewhat precise.  Also, make sure not to leave any blobs of paint – those will just keep building up and will definitely be noticeable on the finished product.  Before moving on to a different part of the box, double check and make sure the paint is level and even throughout.
   
   
   A Good Trick For Straight Edges: using a angled brush, hold the edge up to the line you want to paint and with a steady hand simply slide it across.  The trick is not to force it – gently but firmly move the brush along in a smooth continuous motion.
   
   
   
4. 
   

   
   Let the First Coat Dry.  One of the great things about this wood painting is that it soaks up the paint and dries rather quickly.  It took about an hour and a half for mine to dry.  You can tell by looking at the paint closely and touching it lightly with your fingers.  If there are still wet areas it will look shinier and darker in that spot.  Smudges are not the end of the world, so don’t worry if you pick it up and it wasn’t dry yet!  Just correct lightly with a little more paint over the area and blend in.
   
   
5. Second Coat of Paint for Main Color.  This time before you begin to paint, put masking tape on the edges against which you will be using other colors.  Apply the second coat; this one will take slightly longer to dry.
   
   
6. Apply Two Coats for Detail Colors.  Remove the tape and now put tape around the edges of the first color and paint the first and second coats.
7. Touch Up.  Remove the tape and touch up all the edges and make them look even.
   
   
   
   The first part of making your own jewelry box is complete.  Now your jewelry box is ready for the hardware and details that will really give it an elegant look!