How to Make a Hidden Jewelry or Cash Holder

Where do you keep valuable jewelry? If it's not worn often, you could get a safe deposit box at a bank, but then you can't wear it on the spur of the moment if the bank is closed. What about a stash of cash? Maybe you'd like to keep some at the house. You could get a safe but they are usually big and bulky and not hard for thieves to find. Make an inexpensive hidden holder for your jewelry or money and keep it safe from thieves.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Round cardboard container from nuts or potato chips Knife Craft scissors/razor blade Velvet fabric Cardboard tube from paper towels Hot glue with gun/glue stick/regular glue/two sided sticky paper Mild dish detergent Marker (black is best) 2 books or heavy objects (not big)

1. After eating nuts, potato chips or other items from the container, clean it with a mild soap and water, being careful not to get it very wet. Allow it to dry and air (leave top off) overnight.

2. Place an empty paper towel holder next to the container. Use a marker to mark the holder where it is above the container, then measures ½ inch below the first mark and mark it with marker; the second line will be where it will be cut.

3. Cut the holder at the second line and remove it. Set it to the side for later. Cut the other part of the holder down the middle on one, leaving it still in one solid piece but open. Carefully place one book on each end to hold the holder and keep it flat. Do not press the holder down as it still needs to be able to fold back into the roll afterwards.

4. Line the holder with velvet fabric using craft glue, two sided sticky paper or glue stick to attach it. Allow it to dry, then remove the books and allow it to roll back to the original shape. Cut the remainder of the holder (which was placed on the side) open as done in Step 3 to the other part of the holder. Lay it flat and place the velvet lined holder on top of it (velvet lined holder should be in original form). Draw a circle marking where the velvet lined holder is on the other piece of the holder. Using the same method, line the area inside of the circle with velvet (leave a little outside of the circle to ensure there is enough) and allow it to dry, keeping it flat.

5. Place the original holder over the velvet lined circle; use the marker to trace a circle around the holder. Remove the holder and put glue along the inner side of the circle next to the line and on top of the line. Place the tube holder on top of the circle of glue and hold until the glue sets, then let it go and allow it to dry.

6. Trim any excess from the attached flat velvet lined bottom of the tube. Put another piece of the leftover tube over the top (open end) and cut to fit. Place the velvet lined tube in container bottom first (closed end), then place jewelry or other small valuables inside the velvet lined tube. Place the unlined, unattached piece on top. Cover it with the item originally in the container to the top, then place the original lid on the container. Put it on a shelf in your pantry.

Tips & Warnings

• If using a potato chip can for the container use one with as little grease and smell as possible. If using a nut container, choose unsalted nuts or nuts in their hull.
• Periodically change out the item used to cover the hiding tube so it will stay fresh and won't smell.