DIY Recycled Jewelry Box

This jewelry box takes about 45 minutes start to finish, and the only supplies you need are a toilet paper roll, some cardstock, and whatever scraps you have sitting around for decoration. Completely beginner-friendly, satisfying to make, and practically free.

I went for a vintage look on mine: a little red ink stamping, a strip of burlap, some paper flowers, and a few beads. But the box is really just a canvas. Kraft paper and twine read clean and modern, washi tape is quicker, and ribbon makes it feel gift-ready in minutes. Whatever direction you go, you end up with a small lidded box that holds rings, earrings, or a pendant or two.

It doubles beautifully as a handmade gift box too. Tuck a piece of jewelry inside and you’ve done the packaging at the same time.

Recycled Jewelry Box at a Glance

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Time: 45 minutes
• Cost: Under $2 (mostly from scraps)
• Ages: 10+ (younger kids with adult help on the cutting)
• Best for: Jewelry storage, handmade gift packaging, desk decor

What You Need to Make a DIY Recycled Jewelry Box

Materials

• 1 toilet paper roll: the sturdier the better, since a thicker-walled roll holds its shape more cleanly after you cut it.
• Brown cardstock paper: for the bottom circles and the inner sizing strip. Cardstock is stiff enough to keep the base from bowing under the weight of the box.
• Craft glue: a thick PVA or white craft glue works best. Thin, watery glue can warp the cardstock before it has a chance to dry.
• Decoration materials: ink stamps, burlap, twine, paper flowers, beads, washi tape, or ribbon. Whatever you have on hand is fair game.

Tools

• Ruler and pencil: for measuring and marking the roll evenly before you cut.
• X-acto knife: gives you a cleaner, more even cut than scissors alone on the roll.
• Scissors: for trimming the cardstock circles and any decorative materials.

How to Make a DIY Recycled Jewelry Box

Step 1: Measure and Cut the Roll Into a Box Body and Lid

Decide how tall you want the box body and the lid. A good starting split is roughly two-thirds for the body and one-third for the lid, but adjust to suit what you want to store. Mark those measurements around the roll in pencil, then cut along the lines with your X-acto knife.

Score and rotate rather than pressing all the way through in one go. A patient score-and-rotate gives you much neater edges than pushing down hard, and it keeps the roll from crushing as you cut.

Step 2: Trace and Glue Cardstock Circles to Close Each End

Stand each cut section upright on the brown cardstock and trace around the opening. Cut out both circles, then apply a thin line of craft glue around the inside rim of each section and press the matching circle in to cap it. Let everything dry fully before you move on.

The closed end becomes the bottom of the body and the top of the lid. Hold each piece flat for a minute while the glue grabs so the circle doesn’t shift.

Step 3: Cut and Insert the Inner Sizing Strip

This is the step that makes the lid fit properly. Cut a long strip of brown cardstock whose width equals the combined heights of the box body and the lid. Roll it into a cylinder and glue it inside the lid, snug against the inner wall. It narrows the inner diameter just enough that the lid slides onto the box without rattling loose.

Let the glue dry completely, then test the fit before moving to decorating. If the lid feels too tight, peel back a small section of the strip at the join until it eases. If it’s too loose, glue a thin extra strip of cardstock alongside the first one to bring the diameter back up.

Step 4: Decorate the Outside to Your Style

Once the glue is fully dry and the lid fits the way you want, decorate the outside however you like. I stamped the box with red ink first to add some texture, then wrapped a strip of burlap around the body, tied a piece of twine into a bow, and added a paper flower with a small bead center for the vintage look.

A strip of washi tape around each section takes about two minutes and looks neat and tidy. Ribbon tied around the whole assembled box reads as instantly gift-ready. Go as simple or as detailed as the occasion calls for.

Tips for Your Recycled Jewelry Box

• Let the glue dry completely between Step 2 and Step 3 before testing the lid. Rushing this is the most common reason the sizing strip slips and the lid ends up too loose or too tight.
• A paper towel roll cut to size gives you a slightly wider, deeper box if you need to store taller items like a pendant on a long chain.
• For a cleaner cardstock circle, score along your traced outline with the X-acto knife before snipping. It reduces the fringe edge you sometimes get with scissors alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a paper towel roll instead of a toilet paper roll?

Yes, and it actually gives you more to work with. A paper towel roll cut into sections produces a wider, deeper box that fits bigger pieces more easily. Cut it to your desired heights the same way you would a toilet paper roll and follow the rest of the steps identically.

How do I get the lid to fit snugly without being too tight?

The inner sizing strip in Step 3 controls the fit. If the lid is too tight, peel back a small section of the strip at the overlap and re-glue with slightly less overlap. If it’s too loose, glue a thin extra strip of cardstock alongside the first one to build the diameter back up a little.

What glue works best for this project?

A thick white craft glue or PVA glue is the right choice. Thin, watery glue tends to warp the cardstock before it dries, which makes the circles buckle and the inner strip slide. Apply it in a thin, even line and give each glued section time to set before moving on.

What can I store in this recycled jewelry box?

It’s sized well for small pieces: rings, stud earrings, a pendant, or a slim bracelet. It also works as a keepsake box for tiny mementos, or as gift packaging when you want the box itself to be part of the present.

Is this craft suitable for kids?

The decorating step is great for kids of all ages. The X-acto knife cuts in Steps 1 and 3 should be handled by an adult or an older teen. Once those pieces are ready, younger kids can take over the gluing and decorating with no sharp tools involved.

More Home Decor and Recycled Crafts

• DIY Recycled Pumpkin Box
• Easy DIY Clay Jewelry Dish
• How to Make Recycled Flower Pots or Indoor Planters in 10 Minutes
• Easy Toilet Paper Roll Gnome
• DIY Frida Kahlo Paper Doll from Toilet Paper Rolls

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