How to Create a Wine Lover's Cigar Box Purse

My Finished Project

Here’s a great little craft that can showcase your love of wine. It can also give you a great little accessory to carry. A cigar box purse decoupaged with wine labels is cute and chic without being expensive. Plus you get to feel good when someone compliments you on your cool little purse. When they ask where it came from, you can proudly say that you made it yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden Cigar Box Purse
• Acrylic Paints, Colors to Match Labels
• Paint Brushes
• Paint Sponge
• Paint Pallet or Paper Plate
• Wine Labels
• Decoupage Glue
• Flat Sponge
• Water Based Clear Coat
• Shallow Flat Container
• Newspaper
• Wax Paper
• Painter’s Tape
• Small Screwdriver
• Fine Grit Sandpaper

Instructions

Create a Wine Lover's Cigar Box Purse

1. 

   Gather all your materials. The wooden cigar box purse can be found at most craft stores. Wine labels can be removed from old wine bottles by gently soaking them or steaming them.

2. Cover all the hardware on the box with painter’s tape or you can remove everything with a very small screwdriver (the screws and hinges are tiny).

3. Spread your newspaper out on your work space and start applying your paint. You can put on a base coat or sponge all your colors on at once for a designer look. Sponging is great because it doesn’t have to be perfect and it covers minor imperfections. On my box I used olive green, white and beige. They were the main colors in my wallpaper border.

4. Let your paint dry. While it dries, decide how to arrange your labels.

5. Soak your labels or border pieces in a shallow container of water, pull them out and gently dry off the top and apply decoupage glue to the back with a brush or sponge.

6. Position your labels in the places you want them on your box purse. Press them firmly onto the wood and use a flat sponge to work out any excess glue and get a good uniform coverage. Start in the middle of the label and gently work the sponge outward while holding onto the edges with your other hand, you don’t want the labels to move while you are getting them in their places. Any excess glue can be gently wiped away with a damp sponge. Use decoupage glue for this because it will not leave gunky build up or smears.

7. Let your labels dry on the box purse overnight.

8. 

   Get out a sheet of wax paper and place your purse on top of it. Stir your clear coat before applying any to your box. Apply a light thin layer of clear coat inside your purse, then flip it over and apply it to the outside. Place it upside down on wax paper. Wax paper sticks less to the project than newspaper. Apply a nice even layer all over the outside of your cigar box purse. Make sure you are in a well ventilated area. Open windows and turn on fans if you have to.

9. Let the clear coat thoroughly dry before adding another coat. Look over the box, and make sure that you have no drips or rough spots. If you do, lightly sand them then wipe it with a lightly damp rag. Then apply another layer of clear coat.

10. Let that layer dry, and repeat the inspection and sanding if needed. Add another layer. Three is usually good. Depending on the thickness of the labels you may want to add more. The end result should be a smooth finish. You don’t really want to feel the raised edges of the paper. You want it all to blend together.

11. Add another layer of clear coat if you feel it is necessary. Remove tape or put all the hardware back on. You're all done! Now you have a romantic wine lover’s cigar box purse.

Tips & Warnings

• You can arrange the labels however you want. It's your purse!

• Avoid wrinkling by making sure your labels are completely dry before adding clear coat.