This week’s project comes from Tim in CA who writes:
This jewelry armoire was a graduation gift for my niece. It is made out of Bubinga, Birds Eye Maple veneer (door panels), figured maple veneer (top), and Birds Eye maple (drawer fronts). Each drawer is dovetailed and the bottom drawer has a hidden compartment accessible from the back. The base is from a David Marks project Open Bookcase. The finish is Seal-A-Cell with several coats of Gel Stain on top. I was in way over my head on this project which means I got to learn many new things.
26 Responses to “Jewelry Armoire – Project of the Week”
Outstanding Tim! What a neat and detailed project that will definitely end up being a family heirloom. Well executed details and a fine contrast with the dark and light woods. Your niece will be blown away! Well done Tim.
One question for ya. How long did it take from start to finish to build such a project? Thanks!
David
Someone has way too much jewelry! But seriously, great project.. If you were really in over your head, the final product certainly doesn’t show it. Bubinga and maple seems to be the hot ticket these days (I feel like another project on this web site featued the same materials I just can’t remember what it was….).
Holy smokes! That thing in gorgeous. But I would hate to be the man that has to fill that for her. Do you know how many tools you could buy instead :-) Great job!!!
Wow! That is beautiful! Are all the drawers lined like the first few or are the larger ones for storage?
You might have been over your head, but it came out looking real nice. I’m sure your niece will cherish it forever.
Excellent job!
LOL @ Gatorbait… a true intimidation piece for a boyfriend/husband!
Tim… that is an heirloom piece… just gorgeous!
Does the felt have an adhesive backing? I’ll be need to add some in the future…. anyone have a recommendation on where to buy?
-Charles
Thanks for all the nice words. To answer some questions… the felt is peel and stick. Rockler sells it as Self Adhesive Velvet. It comes in 12″ widths but only 24″ lengths. I wish they’d make longer lengths ( I couldn’t find any but that doesn’t mean you can’t get it somewhere). Only the top five drawers, the doors, and the upper box are lined.
I worked on it over a period of four+ months and delivered it in late June. I had to re-work some of the parts and built many test pieces. Like most projects it seems like it takes a couple hundred hours to build the first one and much less to build the second. I did build a prototype of sorts to work out the dimensions. I also extrapolated the dimensions of the legs from the David Marks project.
There’s plenty of room for other girl stuff than jewelry, but this way she doesn’t have to cram things together. I didn’t know what a jewelry armoire was when she asked. I had to do some Googling and figure out the essential elements (i.e. drawers, necklace storage, mirror, etc.).
Lastly many thanks to Marc Spagnuolo for all you are doing.
I am making a jewelry armoir myself and i am having a horrible time finding “necklace hooks” would you mind telling me what you used and where you got them?
Nice work. I understand the project is delivered, but never saw the reply to Bill Lashinsky’s inquiry of where to obtain the hardware, especially the necklace hooks. We are having the same problem. My Dad is building a natural oak armoire for my daughter. Looking forward to your reply. Thanks.
I just used brass cup hooks. They screw into a solid board that I glued behind the front (felted) panel.
I would love to get a copy of the plans for this jewery armoire. Do you know how I may get a hold of the plans? I just love the combination of wood used! Great job!
I see many like that in the internet, but this is the best one
amazing !
Nice, Want to build a jewlry box /armoire Good inspiration for me to try.
Thanks
Loxanne… sorry I haven’t replied earlier. I just viewed this again. I don’t have any plans, but it wouldn’t be too hard to figure out. Essentially it is just a box with a face frame (front and back) like a kitchen cabinet. The rest is just door and drawer construction. Re the base, if you follow the link to David Marks’ project page you can see how he built it and you should be able to work out the curves and other dimensions. He doesn’t have any plans for this project but he does supply the dimensions of the stock. From that you can get what you need.
Some things I’d do different include: I would look in to using a 1/8″ mirror instead of 1/4″. I think 1/4″ mirror glass is 3.5 pounds per square foot or something like that, so the top I made was heavy. I would also look in to using Soss hinges for the lid. You are in luck as Marc has a great video on the Soss hinges that he used for his Gadget Station. Anyway, you need some way to hold the lid up. The hardware I used is difficult to line up and I think the Soss hinges will stop at 110 degrees or so which would be perfect.
Hope this helps. Good luck… show pictures when you’re done.
Wow! This is a great piece. I’m just getting started with wood working projects. I’m glad I found this site. Inspiring piece.
I was just wondering if you had the dimensions or drawing for this project because i have been looking to make my wife to be a jewerly chest for a long time and this is exactly what ive been looking for. I wanna do something very similar to this but with my own little twist so if you could and you have them it would be great, but if not no big deal because this chest is insane!..Keep doing what your doing im a huge fan
how can I get a copy of the blue prints so my son can make this beautiful item for me?????
Please reply asap.
Sue
dear sue, although i was not the creator of this master piece i am working on one of my own sort of based off this with a different bottom piece and a few of my own touches here and there, but if you would like i can send you the dimensions that i have so far and have your son work from there on finalizing them
Bobby, if you still have or even completed the project I to would be interested in some dimensions to get me started in the right direction on mine. Thanks again
dear scott
You are more than welcome to email me a diplacid004@gmail.com and we will go from there
Nice Armoire!! I too am in the process of designing 2 of them for Christmas presents and found hooks at http://www.dlawlesshardware.com/bagof25jebox.html which I am going to order. They are aluminum, with a brass coating and just the right size.
This is truly a beautiful piece! I have been looking for something unique to build for my wife. If anyone has come with some rough plans with dimensions I would be forever grateful. Also my wife would like to lock the drawers – any suggestions? I assume a simple lock for each drawer would be the easiest.
you can email me I have currently designed and built one of my own and if you need help i can give you a few ideas and numbers for dimensions. As far as locks on the drawers you can do a few things…email me and i can try to explain them as well as possible
my email is diplacid004@gmail.com
Hi, I am currently in the process of making a Jewelry Armoire for my wife and was wondering if I could get the specs on this or something similar. Pretty new to woodworking and would really appreciate some ideas and help. If possible send anything that will help to piaso47@yahoo.com. Thanks!
hello everyone…I have been receiving alot of messages regarding the jewelry armoire i have made. I have made plans for it so they can be sold if you would like to purchase them please email e at diplacid004@gmail.com
beautiful project! inspired my own version of it for my wife’s xmas present thanks for posting