Okay, so I got this idea rolling around in my head for a while. Needed to put some effort into something real, something tangible. Decided to call this little venture my ‘made with love harlow’ project, just for myself, you know?
The plan was to make a small keepsake box. Something simple, handmade. You know, the kind of thing that feels nice to hold.
First step was figuring out the design. Didn’t need blueprints or anything complicated. Just grabbed a pencil and paper, sketched out some basic box shapes. Thought about the size – not too big, not too small. Something that could sit on a shelf or desk.
Next, materials. Headed down to the local hardware place. Picked up some nice-looking wood, I think it was pine. Cheap and cheerful, easy enough to work with. Already had some wood glue and basic tools back home. Oh, and sandpaper. Knew I’d need plenty of that. And some varnish for the end.
Getting Started: Cutting and Building
Alright, back in the garage. Measuring the wood pieces carefully. They always say measure twice, cut once. Probably measured three times just to be safe. Used my old hand saw. Took a bit of effort to get the cuts straight, not gonna lie. Those corners needed to line up reasonably well.
Once all the pieces were cut – the four sides, the bottom, the lid pieces – it was time for assembly. Applied glue to the edges, fitted them together. Used some clamps to hold everything tight while the glue set. You gotta be patient here, let it dry properly. Wiped off the excess glue that squeezed out.
Sanding… and more sanding.
The next day, the basic box shape was solid. But it felt rough to the touch. So, the sanding began. Started with a coarser grit paper to smooth out the major bumps and saw marks. Then moved to medium, then fine grit. Spent a good while on this. Arms got tired, dust got everywhere. But this step is key, makes it feel nice and smooth.
Adding the Personal Touch
Wanted to add a little something extra, make it less plain. Had an old wood-burning tool packed away. Decided to try a very simple design on the lid. Just a small, stylized initial ‘H’. Practiced on a scrap piece of wood first, thankfully! Took it slow, burned the initial onto the lid. Gave it a nice, personal touch.
Then came the finishing. Used a clear varnish. Brushed on the first coat, nice and even. Let it dry completely. The instructions said to wait hours, so I did. Then a very light sanding with super-fine sandpaper, just to smooth it out. Wiped off the dust. Applied a second coat. Let that dry. I think I did three coats in total. Really made the wood grain pop and gave it a protective layer.
- Measure wood panels.
- Cut them out (takes patience with hand tools!).
Glue the box together, clamp it tight. Wait for it to dry.
Sand everything smooth (start coarse, go fine). Lots of sanding.
Add a detail if you want (I used wood burning).
Apply multiple coats of varnish or finish, sanding lightly in between.
As a final step, I decided to line the inside. Had some leftover dark blue felt. Measured the inside bottom and sides, cut the felt pieces, and carefully glued them in place. It just makes the inside look finished and soft.
All Done
And that was that. Stepped back, looked at the finished box. It wasn’t machine perfect, you could see the little quirks from being handmade. But it felt solid, looked nice. There’s just something satisfying about making something yourself, with your own hands. Took time, took effort, but felt worth it. Put a bit of care into it, you know? That’s what matters.
