Assemble Box

• 1). Gather enough scrap wood, from an old fence or bookshelf for example, to create six pieces: four sides, a lid and the bottom of your jewelry box. The size of the box may depend on how large your pieces of scrap wood are. Rub sandpaper vigorously over the wood to remove old paint and create a smooth surface.
  
  
• 2). Cut two equal lengths of wood for the front and back sides of the jewelry box. Then cut two slightly shorter equal lengths of wood for the sides of the box. The sides must all be the same height. Use a pencil to mark where you will cut small groves into the ends of the side pieces to fit them together. Make the cuts using a jigsaw.
  
  
• 3). Place wood glue on both ends of the shorter side pieces. Place one end of a side piece perpendicular to the piece of wood for the back. Place the side piece on the back piece to create an "L" shape. Press the two pieces firmly together. Repeat with the other side piece so that you now have three sides of your box joined together.
  
  
• 4). Place the front piece of wood onto the exposed ends of the side pieces to complete the box shape. You now have an open box. Allow the glue to dry.
  
  
• 5). Measure the length and width of the open box. Cut two square pieces of wood to those measurements to create the lid and bottom of the box. If the width of your wood is too narrow, then glue together enough pieces of wood to be large enough to create a lid and bottom.
  
  
• 6). After the glue on the open box has dried, place wood glue along the bottom edges of the box side pieces. Place the open box on top of the bottom piece so the glue adheres the side pieces to the bottom piece. Press firmly and secure with clamps. Allow the glue to dry.
  
  
• 7). Mark where you want to place the hinges to the back side of the open box and the back edge of the lid piece of wood. Drill small holes where you will attach the hinges with screws. Use a screwdriver to attach hinges to the back of the box and then the lid.
  
  

Decorate Box

• 1). Tear old magazine pages, calendar pictures and greeting cards into 1- to 2-inch pieces. Tear enough pieces so that you can completely cover the outside of your jewelry box.
  
  
• 2). Thin out your glue with a little bit of water until the glue is a paint-like consistency. Place your torn pieces of paper, one at a time, onto the box then use a paintbrush to apply glue over the paper. Continue this decoupage process until the box is covered. Allow the glue to dry.
  
  
• 3). Cut a piece of soft, satiny material, such as from a used article of clothing, to fit the bottom of the jewelry box. Glue the material onto the inside bottom of the box to create a soft area to place your jewelry.