I know that it is the begining of summer, but are there any of you out there that start crafts now for the christmas season? I do. I like to get a head start on crafts that I can give to any one for christmas. One of my favorite crafts is making a music box from a wooden cigar box.
I have collected some very handsom cigar boxes over the years...thanks to the gentleman that donated his various sized cigar boxes to me, I now have a large collection. You can go to any cigar store and ask to purchase a wooden cigar box for a small price, usually a dollar or two.
These boxes already have the hinges on as well as a front latch. If there is an embedded design on the lid I have covered this with cherry or oak veneer.(There is a special type that all you have to do is measure, cut and iron on. It's wonderful.) After the veneer has bonded for over 24 hours I then use a clear varnish and cover the entire outside of the box. But before you varnish the box you may want to add something to the lid such as a small decorative piece of wood. If not then after it is varnished and dried, (24-48 hours), you may want to apply sea shells, gems, or anything that fancies you.
Inside the box I find taffeta or some exciting material to line the interior of the lid and bottom. Once this has dried,(About 1 hour), then you will need to line up your music box. You need to unscrew the winding key, simply turn it in the opposite direction and it comes off. Then place the small music box in the area you want and press hard. This leaves and indentation where you will be drilling a hole. The same thing needs to be done to the out side of the box, making sure the hole is level. After the hole is drilled you can push the stem from the music box through the hole and reapply the the winding key. If the box feels loose or is not resting straight inside the box you can take the winding key off, apply super glue to the back of the music box then reassemble. Hold tightly together for a few minutes.
On the interior of the lid you can apply a 4 X 6 beveled mirror usuing super glue. Now you have a simple and beautiful gift that you made your self.
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