Making a Jewelry Box

Every woman needs a jewelry box. For most people, buying a box is the only option. If you’re crafty, you might be able to build a jewelry box, but there are disadvantages to this choice, including cost, time, and difficulty. Building a box also has advantages, especially customization, flexibility, and enjoyment of a hobby.

The Pros of Building a Jewelry Box

The primary advantage of building a box is the pleasure you get from indulging in your hobby. Experienced woodworkers may be able to build the perfect box and find a great deal of enjoyment in the process. You’ll find numerous free woodworking plans online or jewelry box kits at the craft store. If you’re very experienced, you could also design your own box. Fabric crafters often create hanging jewelry containers or organizers with leftover fabric from other crafts. You could also buy an inexpensive cardboard box that you can decorate with fabric and batting.

If you’re a crafter or wood worker, building a box gives you the freedom to customize your box to your exact needs and tastes. For example, you may want a large mahogany jewelry chest or a jewelry box made of teak. You can decide whether you need more earring or ring compartments, if necklaces should be hung or laid flat, and how large or small the box needs to be. Perhaps you want box for your watch collection. You can also choose the woods, stains, or fabrics for the box so it matches your décor perfectly. The box you make is more flexible because you can build in removable dividers or other options to adapt the box as your needs change.

The Cons of Building a Jewelry Box

Unless you’re a woodworker by trade or hobby, or enjoy making fabric crafts, there are several disadvantages to building a box. First, there is the expense of the materials. Wood and fabric can be very expensive, especially if you don’t know who how much to buy or exactly what you’ll need. Woodworking also requires a large number of specialized tools. Leather jewelry boxes can be difficult to construct for all but the most expererienced leather workers.

Making a box can also be difficult if you don’t know much about hinges, lids, and trays. The sides are the simplest part to assemble, but the rest can be quite complicated unless you have a detailed plan and knowledge about reading plans. Large jewelry chests with muliple drawers and compartments are more complex than they appear. If you buy a kit and make a mistake, you might have to buy a new kit.

Finally, there is the time it takes to build a jewelry box. Crafters consider any time spent building or making crafts to be time well spent. If you’re not a hobbyist and just want to save money, then building a box may use valuable time you could put to a better use. With the rising cost of materials, building a box may not actually save you money, either.

Lisa Becker is an avid jewelry box collector and writes for Jewelry Boxes 123: Shop For Your Perfect Jewelry Box. Her expertise regarding jewelry boxes provides insight into the world of jewelry boxes and armoires.