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Cigar Box Purse

By JoAnne Hoffman
Scrampin’ Love Bug
Beginner’s Scrampin Team Designer

Supplies:
Wood Cigar Box
Mod Podge (Plaid)
Foam Brush or Paint brush
Polyurethane Sealer
Decorative Papers (Unknown)
Metal Charms
Basic Tools: Ruler, pencil
Tack Rag
Embellishments
Wire
Beads

Instructions:

1.      To keep the natural wood finish, choose a cigar box that doesn't have the label burnt in.  

2.      Remove all the paper labels, sand lightly, and remove dust particles with a tack rag. Spray surface lightly with a coat of polyurethane sealer and allow to dry thoroughly. 

3.     Apply Mod Podge to the cigar box with a sponge brush allowing it to become tacky. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the decorative paper and adhere to box.  Smooth out the paper with your fingers or a rubber squeegee so there are no trapped air bubbles when it dries. 

4.      If you choose to line the inside of your purse, measure each side of the inside of the box so that it will fit the inside of the bottom of the box section.  Apply Mod Podge to the fabric lining and smooth out the fabric in place. You may choose to make a "V" of fabric for a "fold out" section. To do this, measure the width you want it to open and the length of the lid. Next make the width of the "V" an inch wider than you wish it to open and make the length of the "V" a couple of inches longer than the length of the box. Hem the top of the "V" by hand or machine and fold the "V" in half and press. 

5.      Glue this to face to the inside of the purse with the extra length folding to the inside where the hinge joins. 

6.      You are ready to place your attachments to the box using Mod Podge and a foam brush.  Use whatever elements you like to go with the theme of your box such as stamped or paper images, stickers, and embellishments.   

7.      To make a handle, screw two eye rings into the top of the box. String wire through one end and wrap it around itself several times leaving a tail.  

8.      Place your first bead on the wire and slip the tail into the bead. Cut off the excess tail. Continue adding beads until you feel the handle is long enough. Put the other end of the wire through the other eye ring and wrap the wire around itself several times. Next, run the end back through the last bead and snip off.  

9.      Most cigar boxes will come with a latch, but if you don't like it or it doesn't have one, you can buy them at your local craft store in the wood section.  

Make a cigar box purse and share your creation with us; we would love to see your work.  Hope you found this helpful and for any questions, please ask away!

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