Project brain In my quest for a new jewelry box, I’ve found myself wandering down a do-it-myself bypath and have gotten into the state of “project brain”, which is characterized by the strong desire to make something in particular, a preoccupation with ways and means, and much research-related activity. Also it is symptomized by a rash of internet links. →[More:]

In my googling for a desirable ready-made jewelry box, I discovered the existence of wall-mounted, cupboard-style jewelry boxes. The concept immediately struck me as very practical. The jewelry stored in such a box is readily visible and accessible, and the box has ample capacity. But I didn’t like any of the specific wall-mounted boxes available for sale – they were too plain, not to mention too expensive at around $200.

Enter the thought, “Why don’t I just make one?”

Acquiring the box itself will be the most difficult part of this project. My father is a very talented and accomplished woodworker and when I asked him about it he said he would make me a box, and I know he’d make me a perfectly lovely one, but…. it would take him so long. He’s hampered by a physical disability. He’s also the ultimate process-oriented person who fusses endlessly over the design before he even touches saw to wood, and who has umpteen projects on the go at all times. I don’t really want to wait a year or more.

I’m not a woodworker myself and any cupboard I slapped together myself from precut wood from Home Depot would be too roughly made to look right. This leaves me with trying to find a ready-made small cupboard that I could buy and retrofit. I’ve been keeping an eye out for second hand cupboards at Value Village and such places. I figure I'm sure to see something that will do sooner or later.

Once I got the box I’d line it with fabric and install hooks and a ring bed, so that the inside of the box will be similar to this one. I’m used to working with fabric, so that shouldn’t be too hard.

Then I thought about the outside look of the box. First I thought I’d paint an image on the outside — perhaps imitating an Art Nouveau work of art, since I’m trying to give Swan’s End an Art Nouveau feel. The thought of the hours and hours of work involved in replicating anything more than a simple image is disheartening, so decoupage seemed like a better idea. Perhaps I could buy a small art poster and just use that.

This led me to Google Art Nouveau artwork for an appropriate image. My bedroom is done in pale peach, warm red, cream, and gray-green, so I was looking for something in that colour scheme.

I love this Alphonse Mucha image, but it does seem like a little “much”, somehow. It's too voluptuous an image. I don't want the jewelry box to be the focal point of the whole bedroom.

This Mucha image of a woman sitting in a crescent is maybe more suitable.

This Beardsley print is simple and striking.

This "Tree of Life" image by Gustav Klimt is not my favourite of those here just on the basis of its looks, but I'm thinking it might be the best fit for my purposes. It's detailed enough to be interesting but subtle enough not to dominate the room. And it lends itself to being cropped, which may well be necessary.