From School Days to DIY Days: Transforming a Box into a Men's Jewelry Box

Searching Men's Jewelry Box? Today's post takes a nostalgic look back at a love for cigar boxes and shows you how to transform a recycled wooden box into a stylish and functional men's jewelry box.

Once upon a time in 1980 something there was a gal attending elementary school with her classmates.  

If you are from that era, then you may recall, we had small boxes that we placed our school supplies in.  

Those boxes held more than just pencils and crayons; they were one of the first forms of self-expression I can remember.

All rectangular in shape and made of a heavy cardboard, but the colors and designs were a plenty. The lid did not latch, just simply opened and closed, being held firm with tape along the spine where the lid and box met.  

Sometimes the boxes were crushed in desks, but I recall always cherishing mine while checking out my classmates' school supply boxes as well.

One box always stood out to me, and I later learned it was actually a recycled cigar box, not a basic school supply box like the rest.  

I remember looking at that box longingly and wishing I had one too.  Hey, who knows, maybe that is where some of my design preferences come from, one cigar box tucked away inside a desk, at an elementary school in a small town in Ohio.

I recall it being dark and masculine, with emblems on the exterior and gold trim around all of the edges of the box.  

Oh, I wanted one just like it, but never saw anything that measured up to that beautiful box.  

Is it no wonder since I was searching in the wrong department?  

I knew nothing of cigars and that they came in intricately detailed trimmed edge boxes, with wonderful graphics atop.  

I can assure you had I known, I would have been asking for one!  

Oh, I can just see my mother's face!  Egads, where did you ever learn of cigars?  That scenario makes me chuckle. 

All these years later, I guess I am still searching for a cigar box. I often pick them up when I see them at antique stores, but none hold a candle to the one in my mind. I looked over several at the most recent barn sale we attended, but no cigar, pun intended! 

So, what do we do around here when we cannot find what we want? We make it of course!

Christmastime often brings an influx of lovely gift baskets and containers to my husband's department. Once the treats are gone, the boxes typically end up destined for the trash. 

That's where my "enabler" (aka my wonderful husband) comes in. He knows my love for a good makeover, and this unassuming wooden box at the top of this post was no exception, destined to soon be a cigar inspired men's jewelry box. 

Men's Jewelry Box 

Materials:

1. Cast off or thrifted wood box
2. Stain of your choice
3. Graphic of your choice, there are so many cigar labels to be found online, but of course, I wanted to go with a dog
4. Gold paint pen
5. Elmer's Glue Stick, & Mod Podge, I used both
6. Black velvet lining
7. Scissors
8. 2 wood peg dolls

 

Instructions:

• Stain the Box: Apply stain to the entire wood box, including the inside, for a high-end finish. Let it dry overnight.
• Deck Out the Lid: Find your perfect cigar box graphic (online resources like The Graphics Fairy   are a treasure trove!). Cut it out and adhere it to the box lid with a glue stick. Once dry, apply Mod Podge over the entire lid, including the graphic, to seal it and create a polished look. 
• Add Flourishes: Get creative! I used a gold paint pen to add designs to the lid and all sides of the box.
• Luxurious Interior: Line the bottom of the box with black velvet to protect precious jewelry. For necklaces and bracelets, cut a paper towel roll to size and cover it in velvet.
• Ring a Ding Ding!: Glue two wooden peg dolls together, stain them, and wrap them with velvet to create a unique ring holder.
• Treasure Trove: For the coin collector in your life, place a small tin inside the box for storing special coins.
• Finishing Touches: Arrange cufflinks and tie clips in the velvet-lined bottom.

  

My supervisor for the day... he likes to watch and see what I am working on each day. Since this will be going to his daddy, he wanted to be sure I took extra special care with this project. 

I purchased these scrolls from Etsy for another project, but when they arrived I found the legs on the scrolls were off. That is quite a difference when you are looking at an object straight on and so they were added to my stash pile awaiting to be used. 

Measure the box inside for accurate measurements in cutting black velvet lining. 

Create a dotted line measuring the width of the jewelry box for an accurate measurement.

Ta-da! A one-of-a-kind men's jewelry box, bursting with personality (and a touch of masculine charm, perfect for my husband's family heirlooms). This project was a blast – who knew transforming a random wooden box could be so much fun? Everything I needed was already on hand, proving that a little creativity can go a long way.

I imagined my grandfather, and what he liked while creating this men's jewelry box. I knew he would have a place for his rings. Initially I had something else in mind for corralling the rings, but I think the peg dolls ended up working out well. The paper towel roll was a last minute thought, covering it with black velvet was so easy, and so it was added to the mix.  

Oh, and about that clock in the corner? I thought it mimicked a humidity gage on humidors.  Coming across it while scavenging around in the garage, it is destined for a makeover too, but that's a story for another day!

There you have it! A cigar box-inspired men's jewelry box, minus the actual cigars (though, who knows, maybe I'll find the perfect vintage one someday!). Now my husband can keep his treasures safe and stylish, all thanks to a little elementary school inspiration. Until next time, happy crafting!


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Ciao,

Cara