Build a Wooden Keepsake Box

Buy an unfinished wooden box with hardware from a crafts store or at www.sunshinecrafts.com. Dimensions of the box can be according to your own desire, or use dimensions suggested above. Remove all hardware and set it aside to keep it safe.

Apply a coat of pre-stain wood conditioner to all sides of the lid and box. Allow time for it to dry thoroughly. Using a clean, dry cloth, apply cherry stain to all wood pieces inside and out. Wipe off the excess according to how dark you want it to look. When dry, use a light grit sandpaper to smooth standing grain. Apply a second coat of stain and wipe it off. Allow it to dry and then apply a light coat of polyurethane on all sides. Allow the pieces to dry completely.

Reattach the hardware to the box. Cut balsa wood to fit inside the bottom of the box with just enough room for velvet fabric to fit snug around the sides of the balsa wood. Once the balsa wood is trimmed to the right size, lay it on top of the fabric. Fold the end pieces of fabric over the balsa wood and trim the fabric so it lies flat on the wood. Spread super glue on the wood to fasten the fabric tightly to the wood. Repeat the process with the long flaps of fabric, trimming to make sure the fabric is flat, then glue it to the balsa wood. Make sure there are no creases or overlaps in the fabric.

Turn over the velvet-covered balsa wood so the seams are facing down. Apply a coat of super glue to the inside bottom of the keepsake box and lay the velvet-covered panel inside the box, pushing down to get a good seal over all bottom surfaces of the velvet panel.