Repurposed Jewelry Box

Repurposed Jewelry Box

When my daughter Jennifer was looking for a jewelry box for my granddaughter Jadyn, she was surprised at how expensive they are. I told Jennifer I would shop around for something to repurpose or upcycle to make a jewelry box.

I found a few antique wood tool boxes that I thought could be upcycled to make a unique jewelry box. Instead, I purchased a wood jewelry box I found in an antique store for $10.00.

The box was really ugly, red velvet on the inside of the drawers and a music box that played a Christmas tune. The box had potential, it's made of wood and in good condition. There was nothing wrong that a little paint couldn't fix.

I started working on the box and remembered I didn't take a before picture. So, here is the box after I sanded the outside to prepare for paint. I also spray painted the red velvet inside the drawers and the top that opens with black spray paint. The black spray paint doesn't cover the red completely, but enough to make it look soooo....much better.

Jadyn has a beach theme for her bedroom, one of her request was for me to make something with beach words. Her next question was "grandma do you know what beach words are"?

I showed her a thing or two, with a little help from grandpa we came up with several beach woods including an oldie but goodie "cowabunga". That has to be one from the old "Gidget and Moondoggie" movies!

I had a hard time figuring out what I would make with beach words, she has plenty of stuff hanging on her walls. I decided the perfect way to decorate her jewelry box would be using a letter stencil to write beach words all over the box.

Materials Needed;

• Jewelry Box
• Medium Grid Sandpaper
• Black Spray Paint
• Light Blue Paint
• Pencil
• Stencil with Letters
• Mod Podge

How to Repurpose Jewelry Box;

Remove drawers, and tape mirror on top lid to protect from paint over spray. Spray inside of drawers and inside the top of jewelry box with two coats of black spray paint.

Sand outside the box with medium grid sandpaper so paint will adhere to wood. Wash sand away prepare for paint. Paint box with two coats of light blue paint.

After paint is dry, write beach words on the top sides and back of box using a pencil and letter stencil.

Destress the box to make it look like it washed a shore by using sandpaper on the edges, corners and various places to give it a worn, aged appearance. Wash sand dust away and paint over the beach words with two coats of mod podge to protect them from rubbing off.

This was a very simple project that was customized for Jadyn and her beach theme bedroom. The wood jewelry box would have cost $40-$50 new.