Turn a Cardboard Box into a Jewelry Box

What do you do when you've got piles of jewelry lying around (cough cough, like me, because I turn every item in my house into jewelry) and no where to store it? Sure, you can spread it out on your window sill, like I've been doing the last few years, but it's not very becoming. I figured out recently that I could just make a cute little jewelry box from a cardboard box I had sitting in my recycling bin. You can do it, too.

How to make a jewelry box from a cardboard box:

Find a Box

Find your box. My box was from a dishware set and had a convenient built-in lid, but you can use any kind of box—even a regular shoe box, with a separate lid, for this project.

Find a Chain

Find a chain. You'll need a chain and jewelry pliers for this project; both of which you can purchase at a local craft store, like Michael's.

Punch Holes in Box Lid

Punch holes in the lid of your box. String your chain through the holes so that the inner side of the lid has loops of chain hanging down. When you've got your chain placed the way you want it, use your jewelry pliers to break open a chain link at one end of the chain and attach to another link so that the chain will stay in place. (It should be noted that my lid only has the blue stock card background because I punched more holes than I wanted and didn't want to compromise the sheer beauty of my cardboard jewelry box with the eyesore of unnecessary holes).

Decorate Box

Decorate your box however you wish. I took the easy way out and painted mine gray because my room is gray, but you artsy folk out there with a surplus of time on your hands will be able to craft a design much more masterful, I am sure. Fill with Jewelry Fill with jewelry. The best part about this box is that your chain will make for a perfect earring holder. Even when you close the lid, the earrings will stay put. It's simple and yet oh-so-useful. Enjoy! Who says you need to send your cardboard box over to the recycling plant? You can just as easily use it as a home for your craftified eco-jewelry. (Yes, I said craftified. You can say it too, if you want—just remember to leave loving comments for the writer who showed you the way).