by Inside The Chrysalis

Created on: April 17, 2009   Last Updated: April 20, 2009

A few years ago while visiting a street fair, I saw numerous stands selling cigar box purses adorned with funky patterns and wooden handles. The price tag was a little steep, so I decided to try my hand at making them at home. It turns out making cigar box purses is fun, inexpensive and very easy. All you need is a cigar box, fabric, spray adhesive, hot glue gun, cording, wire, and funky beads for the handle.

The first step is finding the right cigar box. They come in surprisingly varied sizes, so you'll want to make sure it is functional to your specific needs. These boxes can be obtained online at an auction website, at your local cigar shop or at a second-hand store. To get rid of the cigar scent, keep the boxes in a garage or outside with the lid opened for a few days. If the scent is still strong, apply a odor-eliminating spray or add a fresh sachet of lavender.

When you get your cigar box home, you'll want to cut a piece of your favorite fabric to size. Typically, only one side is decorated on a cigar box which helps to make it look professional and interesting. When that's done, apply a coating of spray adhesive and attach the fabric. In place of fabric, you can hand-paint a scene on your box. If you want to show off family members, glue pictures treated with acrylic onto the face of your cigar box. Perhaps you are a fan of a certain brand of jeans, rip off the pocket, adhere it to the box and glue gemstones to it. Use your creative muscle during this step.

While your fabric is drying, select a piece of cording to glue around the border of the fabric. Imagine a cherry wood cigar box with burgundy silk fabric and black-braided cording to frame it in. The possibilities are endless, and can really make an impression. Now you're ready for the handle. There are a few different ways to do this. The simplest way is to get a heavy-gauge wire and string beads on it in an arch. This part is my favorite because you can use a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Pearls are an elegant choice for a handle. Round beads, crystals or even sea glass can be whimsical options. Drill two small holes at the top of your cigar box. Make sure the handle is the desired length and attach the two ends of the wire together inside the cigar box.

Your cigar box is now complete and probably only took an hour to assemble. With these supplies on hand, you'll want to make more cigar box purses. They make great gifts, are useful for storing greeting cards or pictures and can add a decorative flair to a bookshelf.

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