Hello lovely Friends! If you read about my big purge not too long ago, you may remember this photo:
This was a pile of things I decided to keep, figuring I could still do something with them. Three of those items are flatware boxes, you know the kind that fancy silverware comes in?
I decided to start at the top of the pile with this $3 thrift store flatware box:
I rarely pass up one of these boxes if they’re in good shape.
Because…
They make perfect jewelry boxes!
This one was especially boring before.
I have made over several of these boxes, and I love how they each take on their own personality. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I use.
The inside of this one started like this:
Removing that fancy velvet lining isn’t always easy, but this one wasn’t too bad. I used fat quarters I found at Walmart for the new lining:
I used two of the polka dot ones and one of the damask print.
I started this makeover by painting the box in Behr’s Bit of Sugar made into DIY chalk paint. (Recipe HERE.)
Then I decided I would stencil the top with this quatrefoil stencil I picked up at Michaels:
But…I didn’t love it. At all. I decided to sand it down and give it a do-over.
I went with a different plan for the top this time:.
I first added a damask flourish in Sparrow grey mixed 50/50 with the bit of sugar, using a design I had saved to my silhouette library. (This stencil would work great too.)
Then I found this French graphic that was part of a larger perfumery graphic I found on Pinterest. It took me to a Spanish site that did not include this graphic. Weird? I decided to screen shot the pin and used part of that image for this box. (If you recognize this and know the source, let me know!)
I used this graphite paper to transfer the graphic.
I happened to already have this on hand, but my friend Nancy from Artsy Chicks Rule likes this transfer paper and it is much cheaper. I usually use this method, but I was afraid the words would be too difficult to see over the gray flourish.
Then I used black acrylic craft paint and a script liner brush to fill in the letters.
After it was completely dry, I sanded across the entire surface lightly with 220 grit sandpaper to smooth everything out.
Then I waxed with Annie Sloan’s clear soft wax to seal.
To line the inside, I gathered my supplies: Fabric, foam core, hot glue gun/hot glue.
I started with the drawer. Using my rotary cutter and cutting mat, I cut the fabric into strips (for the sides of the inside) that were 1/4″ deeper than the sides. I also cut my foam core to fit the inside of the drawer, and a piece of fabric about an inch bigger than the piece of foam core:
I folded the top edge of the fabric strips over 1/4″ and ironed them flat.
Then I added the strips the sides, folded edge up, adhering it with hot glue:
I tried to start and stop in the corners.
Then I wrapped the fabric around the foam core and secured it in place with hot glue.
TIP: Be sure to check the pattern in your fabric to be sure it is straight before adhering.
Finally, I added the wrapped foam core to the bottom of the drawer:
If your velvet lining comes off nicely enough, you may be able to get away with just painting the sides. Mine left burgundy fuzz behind.
I did the inside top and the inside of the lid the same way.
I added handles from Hobby Lobby to the sides to add a bit of character…
And these sweet glass knobs, also from Hobby Lobby, to the drawer:
These never last long in my shop. I think this is the sixth one I’ve redone.
If you enjoyed this one, you’ll like this one too:
Click HERE to see what I did with it!
We have our annual yard sale this weekend so I will be working hard getting ready for it. More purging yay!!
I’ll be back on Thursday rounding up 15+ of my own repurposed projects:
UPDATE: Check out how I repurposed 15+ ordinary items HERE now!
See ya then! 🙂
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
I Love how that one turned out. It is so cute. I have one of them I need to do, now all I have to do is find some time to do it, along with a hundred other projects. Let me know if you come up with a way to get more hours in a day! Ha Ha!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! Boy if there was a magic way to add hours to the day, I’d pay good money for that potion ha ha!
Christina in FL says
Beautiful transformation Christy! You know I adore the white! And the graphics you added are so detailed and delightful. Thank you for all the details! Way to go!! :))))
Create on!!
Christy says
Thanks, Christina! XOXO
Kandice says
What a difference. This is so pretty
Christy says
Thanks so much, Kandice! XOXO
Marge says
You make me feel like dancin’
Christy says
Ha ha dance on! 😀
Cecilia says
Love it! I’d buy it in a flash! Now I want to find an old silverware box! 🙂
Christy says
Thanks, Cecilia! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
This might be favorite so far! They’re all so lovely after you’ve had your way with them, it’s no surprise they go flying out of the shop.
Christy says
Thanks, Marcie! You are the sweetest! XOXO
Cathy says
Love it! What a great little gift idea for my daughter! Keep creating wonderful things and giving us less than artistic folks, some hope!! LOL
Christy says
I’m so glad you like it, Cathy, thank you! This would make a great gift for your daughter!! XO
Marie|The Interior Frugalista says
Flatware and jewelry boxes are so fun to makeover and I just love how you breathed new life into this one, Christy! It’s beautiful from the inside out. Pinned
Christy says
Yes they are! I hardly ever pass one up…still have four more in the garage lol, Thanks, Marie! XOXO
Paula says
Flatware boxes do make great jewelry boxes. Love what you did with this one!
Christy says
They really do! Thanks, Paula!! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I LOVE old flatware boxes and jewelry boxes! They are so much fun to makeover. Love your newest one! And yay for purging…I need to too!! 😉 xoxo
Christy says
Yes they are! I still have four more to redo lol. Thanks, Nancy pants! XOXO
kathy says
I have two antique mall booths and I also have a couple of these silverware boxes- I wanted to know how much you would charge for one of these in your shop?
Christy says
Hi Kathy! I usually get around $45 for these. 🙂
kathy says
That is a very reasonable price for such a terrific and unique item! Thanks so much and if I make one, I will send you photos!
Christy says
I think so too. Yes, please do! 🙂
Linda Petersen says
Hi Christy! Love the latest flatware box makeover!! You are & always will be my favorite blogger & Queen of Inspiration????! X0X0
Christy says
Aww Linda you totally made my night, thank you!! I appreciate your sweet comment more than you know! XOXO
Julie Briones says
This is GORGEOUUUUUSSS! 😀 Love the two prints you used. Having the drawer on this one was an extra bonus!
I have one that I will eventually turn into a tea bag holder. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Julie!! These would be perfect for holding tea as well! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
I am always awed by your creativity and ability to do so much! You always have a delightful vision!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Rose! I appreciate your sweet words! XOXO
C J Kilgour says
I love how you put the lettering over top of the image just in a darker colour. I think my first instinct would be to place the writing underneath the image but this worked out so well I might have to find a project to use it in.
I didn’t think the inside looked too bad in the before photo. Then I saw the after and wow what a difference!
Thanks for sharing it.
Christy says
Thank you, CJ! This was my first time adding the wording over another image, and I’m glad it worked it well! 🙂
PrettyPotato says
This is lovely, I never thought to use flatware boxes for jewellery! I absolutely love the decor on the top, it looks really classy
Christy says
Thank you, Pretty Potato! Yes, they make excellent jewelry boxes! 🙂
ColleenB. says
Gorgeous! Love the little extra details you add to your projects. Great inspiration.
I think I speak for so many here ; you inspire all of us. Thank You
Christy says
Thank you, Colleen! I appreciate that! XOXO
Christiane Lavoie says
Love your projects. Need to know where calcium carbonate is sold and would you think it is available in Canada. Thanks
Christy says
Thanks, Christiane! I purchase my Calcium Carbonate from Amazon. I buy the 5 lb size here: http://amzn.to/2pYasg0. If you just need it for a few projects, the 12 ounce size may be enough: http://amzn.to/2pYbkkG. Are you able to order from Amazon? Hope this helps!