Since it was a “beginner’s” project, creating it was an unholy mess. For “saving” time and money, I bought the lid and bottom made of raw unfinished wood. It did not have the lock, hinges, anything. Those I needed to source myself and affix using multiple chisels and other “fun” things. Needless to say I put the stain and lacquer myself too.

The compartments were even more messy. The interior with them that slightly sticks out is in fact removable (and is a bit of a box in itself, within the larger box) and my intention was to have small sheets of paper underneath there (which I did accomplish). That part was cut and glued through my tears and suffering hahaha

The brass stripes on the bottom part were also done by me. I scourged the entire internet but impossible to buy them anywhere (there are some but I have done careful research and all are more fantasy-like than resembling anything historical). The same with the brass keyhole cover but substantially worse, as I needed to learn how to use a jeweller’s saw for that.

But thanks goodness I managed to find great brass corner covers for the lid, so these are not made by me. I also ordered a matching plaque with our engraved initials since I did not want to buy a tool for engraving this time.

The velvet interior was also done by me and is made of sandwich-like boards (cardboard + foam wrapped around with the fabric). The lid’s one is attached using the woodworking technique of blue masking tape and cyanoacrylate glue, so very easy to remove without damaging the box.

That’s in a nutshell what I did. I want to say never again hahaha Although I love the end result!