How to Make Jewelry Boxes out of Ostrich Eggs

An ostrich egg jewelry box makes a beautiful and elegant place to store all of your finest jewelry. You will be especially proud to display a jewelry box you made yourself. It also makes the perfect gift, infused with your own personal touch. Making an ostrich egg jewelry box is a great craft project, and the end result is a beautiful keepsake. Follow these steps:

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Craft-ready ostrich egg
• Water-soluble pencil
• Safety goggles
• Dust mask
• Rotary tool with diamond wheel and drill bit
• Sandpaper
• Small craft hinge with screws
• Pliers
• Super-hold instant glue
• Batting
• Velvet or satin
• Hot glue gun
• Decorative trim
• Cording
• String of craft pearls or rhinestones
• Decoration for top of egg

1. Sketch an outline for the opening of your jewelry box and the hinge directly onto the egg.

2. Use the rotary tool and diamond wheel to cut out the top of the egg for the opening of the jewelry box. Wear safety goggles and a dust mask while you cut. Sandpaper the edges if necessary after cutting off the top.

3. Bend the hinge as necessary using the pliers so that it fits the curvature of the egg.

4. Roughen the back of the hinge as well as the spot on the egg where you are going to attach it. This will make the glue more effective.

5. Drill holes for the hinge screws using a drill bit on the rotary tool. Place the screws through the holes, and glue the hinge on using the instant glue, holding it in place as the glue dries.

6. Wash off any remaining pencil lines from the egg.

7. Cut the batting to fit inside the bottom of the egg and then place it inside. Cut the velvet to fit over the batting. Use the hot glue gun to glue the top of the velvet to the inside of the egg. Cut a piece of velvet to line the top of the egg as well, then glue it in.

8. Glue trim over the edges of the opening, making sure that the trim lines up evenly when the egg is closed. Then glue cording around the edge of the velvet inside the egg.

9. Affix the string of pearls or rhinestones, using the glue gun, around the top and bottom opening on the outside of the egg.

10. Decorate the top of the egg as you like. You can use a large single decorative object, such as a gold crown, decorative jewels (as long as they have a flat back) or other gold or silver pieces.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a latch or a tassel to the front of the opening for added effect.

• Attach your jewelry box to a stand once you're finished for an even more elegant look.

• Always use the safety goggles and dust mask when cutting your egg to protect yourself from flying debris.