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How to make gorgeous DIY agate jewelry boxes

It’s always a great day when I get to combine my love for shopping with a great DIY project that is a complete “make it for less.”  Today, I got to be a special guest at the Macy’s Fashion Week Front Row event and help a ton of people make these gorgeous agate keepsake boxes. The blue is my favorite.

It’s always a great day when I get to combine my love for shopping with a great DIY project that is a complete “make it for less.”  Today, I got to be a special guest at the Macy’s Fashion Week Front Row event and help a ton of people make these gorgeous agate keepsake boxes. The blue is my favorite.

They’re easy and fun and look expensive and they actually are really expensive on Etsy but mine were FREE today. In case you missed my make-n-take, here’s how we made them and where you can get your supplies. (May have affiliate links) My friend Sabrina first taught me how to make these so I was thrilled to put my own twist on them and share with my new friends at Macy’s! You can really customize these to make them have your own signature touch. I show three versions above: one with a glossy finish, one that was weathered, and one with decorative doodles on it.

Let’s get started!

What you need: (click images for additional details)

Unfinished boxes, any size. We used these from Discount School Supply that are sold in lots of 12 (think Christmas gifts!), but you can get an unfinished box at any craft store or on Amazon.com.

Wood stain or paint. I used Rustoleum’s wood stain. If you like a more contemporary look, I recommend using paint for a more uniform look.

Agates. I ordered these in bulk but you can get a smaller quantity from Amazon.

Sparkly nail polish. I got a sparkly one from Five Below for just a couple bucks (and I use it all the time on my nails too) and it’s awesome. You could also use metallic paint like this.

Strong, fast drying glue. I recommend E6000.

Optional:

    • Sandpaper
    • Decorative paper or fabric
    • Glue stick
    • ModPodge
  • Metallic sharpies. We used both of these:

Here’s what you do:

  1. Stain or paint your box. It took a LONG while to do all 60 of these, but yours will go MUCH quicker!
  1. IF you like the weathered look, grab your sandpaper and rough up all the edges. Don’t be gentle, really get after it. If you like a more contemporary look, skip this step.
  2. IF you want a glossy finish, cover your box with ModPodge and let dry. If you don’t, skip this step.
  3. IF you’d like to add a custom doodle to your box, take your sharpies and get after it! I did small dots and arrows on the box with the pink agate above.
  4. IF you’d like the inside of your box to be lined, use your glue stick to paste down a piece of decorative foiled paper or fabric. Velvet would be a nice, elegant touch.
  5. Paint the edges of your agate with the sparkly nail polish (or other metallic paint) and let dry. The advantage of nail polish is that it dries so quickly.
  6. Glue your agate to the top of the box with the E6000 and let dry.

You’re DONE!

If you made a box with me today, I’d love to see it! Pleeeeaaaaaase post it to social media and tag me @MommyUpgrade (@tperot on IG) or #MUAgateBox!

THANK YOU Macy’s for having me today! It was a blast!

1 Comment

  1. I love the simple look of these boxes.I really like the crystals you put on top. I know my daughter would love these. I would love to make some for her, but I am not a crafty person at all. I am hopeless when it comes to that kind of stuff. I am just going to look around and see if I can find something similar at a store.

    Reply

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