How to Make Your Own Wooden Jewlery Box

A wooden jewlry box will keep jewelry organized.

A wooden jewelry box can be built as a simple box or it can be built as an elegant piece that will keep jewelry safe from dirt and dust. The underwear drawer in a dresser is not the safest place to store jewelry and jewelry boxes can be built with locks to deter would be thieves. A handmade wooden jewelry box is a family treasure that can be handed down from generation to generation.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 inch lumber
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Jigsaw
• Router with dovetail template
• Wood glue
• Clamps
• Sandpaper
• Paint or stain
• Hinges
• Screws
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Measure the desired dimensions and mark them on the wood with a pencil. There will need to be four sides, a top and a bottom. Cut the wood to size using a jigsaw.

2. Create dovetail joints on the edges of the bottom and side pieces of wood. There should be no joints on the top of the box. Label the front and back of the wood. Set up a router with a dovetail joint template. Run the wood pieces through the router with the joints running along the edges on the back side of the wood. The top edges of the side pieces do not need joints.

3. Glue the sides together by putting wood glue into the joints and fitting the joints together. Hold the sides together with clamps until the glue dries.

4. Attach the bottom of the box by putting wood glue into the joints on the bottom piece of wood and fitting the joints together with the joints on the box. Allow the glue to dry.

5. Sand the wood to remove the excess glue and pencil marks.

6. Paint or stain the wood and let it dry.

7. Place the hinges on the back side of the top piece of wood along the rear edge. Position the hinges in the desired location and mark the screw holes. Pre-drill holes and screw the hinges into place. Place the top piece of wood on the top of the box with the hinges open. Position the hinges along the back of the box making sure that the top is centered. Mark the screw holes. Pre-drill the holes and screw the hinges onto the box. The lid should close flat.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear eye protection when using power tools.

References

• Youtube: Woodworking 101 - Jewelry Box
• Lee's Wood Projects: How to Build a Wooden Jewelry Box