Girls’ Jewelry Box Painted White with Vinyl Hearts
This girls’ jewelry box is painted crisp white outside and black inside, with a row of berry-pink vinyl hearts around the sides and a name or short phrase in black lettering across the lid. Tiny hearts tucked inside the drawers give it a little surprise. It is a good way to corral the hair clips, bracelets and necklaces that pile up on a dresser, and it makes a sweet handmade Christmas gift for a school-age girl.
Supplies
- Unfinished wooden jewelry box with drawers
- White chalky finish paint
- Black chalky finish paint
- Foam paint brushes
- Electronic cutting machine, such as a Cricut
- Permanent adhesive vinyl in a bright berry pink
- Permanent adhesive vinyl in black
- Transfer tape, or clear adhesive plastic wrap as a stand-in
- Scraper tool or an old credit card
Steps
- Paint the outside. Cover the outside of the box and the outside of every drawer with white chalky paint. Foam brushes leave a smooth finish with few brush marks. Let everything dry completely.
- Paint the inside. Brush the inside of each drawer with black chalky paint. The dark lining makes jewelry stand out, and it hides small scuffs. Set the drawers aside until fully dry.
- Cut the vinyl. Cut the wording from black vinyl and a set of hearts in several sizes from berry vinyl. Any design app or cutting software will do. Pick a short word or name that fits the width of the lid, and make one extra-small heart to sit above it.
- Transfer the lettering and hearts. Lay transfer tape over the cut design, press it down, and peel the backing away. Place the wording on the dry lid and most of the hearts on the sides. Rub firmly with a scraper so the vinyl grips the painted surface, then peel the tape away slowly. If you have no transfer tape, clear adhesive plastic wrap can do the same job.
- Add the finishing hearts. Peel the smallest heart straight from its backing and stick it just above the lid wording. Put a few of the remaining hearts inside the drawers for a hidden surprise. Use one on the back of the box with a handwritten or cut signature, so the maker’s mark stays with the gift.
Variations
Swap the colors to suit the child. Teal and gold, lavender and white, or red and green for the holidays all work well on a white base. Stars, butterflies or flowers can replace the hearts, and initials look lovely on a lid in place of a word.
For a softer look, paint the drawer interiors a pale pastel instead of black. You could also paint the drawer fronts in a second color and keep the box body white.
Plan the layout before you peel anything. Arrange the cut hearts on the box without removing their backing, check the spacing, and then apply them one at a time. Keep the vinyl away from damp paint, since wet paint will keep it from sticking. Wait until the paint is fully dry, ideally a full day, before pressing vinyl on.
Vinyl sticks best to a smooth surface, so lightly sand any rough patches on the wood before painting. If a heart bubbles, lift it gently and smooth it down again with the scraper working outward from the center.
FAQ
Can I make this without a cutting machine?
Yes. Paint hearts and letters on with a small brush and a paper stencil, or use ready-made adhesive letters and heart stickers from a craft store.
Will the vinyl peel off over time?
Permanent adhesive vinyl holds up well on a fully dry, smooth painted surface. Avoid scrubbing it with wet cloths so the edges stay flat.
