Crafts With Cigar Boxes

Many people collect cigar boxes because of their beauty.

Some cigar boxes are handcrafted from wood. Others are made from cardboard. Most are beautifully decorated and sturdy. Cigar boxes can be collected and displayed for their own beauty, but they can also be collected for use as craft items. A storage box is only one idea for using a cigar box. Consider re-purposing a cigar box for other useful crafts.

Purse

Create a purse from a cigar box. Decoupage the outside of the cigar box with old postcards, magazine clippings or a collage of family photos. Add some velcro tabs to serve as clasps to keep the box's lid shut. Attach a drawer pull with a screw to serve as a purse handle. You may also choose to line the purse interior with velvet or felt.

Shadow Box

A shadow box creates a space to display small, important items. Paint both the interior and exterior of a cigar box. Stand the box on its end (vertically) so the lid opens like a book. Build shelves for the interior of the box using balsa wood and glue. Fill the box with small trinkets and items of significance, such as a lock of hair, a dried flower from a special person and a pretty shell.

Stationery Box

Paint or decoupage the exterior of a cigar box with something beautiful. Wrapping paper with a floral pattern works well. Line the interior floor of the box with a coordinating piece of felt. Fill the box with homemade greeting cards and stationery. Add a decorative pen and some stamps and you have created a decorative box to keep writing materials handy and safe.

First-Aid Kit

Create a useful first-aid kit that is small enough to tuck into the glove box of a vehicle. Paint the cigar box white; add a red cross or write "First-Aid Kit" on the cover. Fill the box with bandages, hand sanitizer, antibiotic ointment, a pair of rubber gloves, a pen and paper for recording accident details and a granola bar or other healthy snack with a long shelf life. Keep this kit for yourself or give it as a gift to someone who travels a lot by car.

References

• Craft Bits: Cigar Box Purse
• Thrifty Fun: Cigar Box Craft