How to Make a Popsicle Stick Jewelry Box for Valentine's Day

Simple Valentine's Day Gift for that Special Person

Young kids rarely have big bucks to go spend on a special Valentine's Day gift for Mom or Grandma, but with this simple craft, they can please everyone for very little money. The craft is so easy that, with a little help from an adult, most any child can make it by themselves.

If you save popsicle sticks for crafts, you'll need them, but if you don't save them you can still purchase them at craft stores or some discount department stores. The sticks are available in miniature sizes to jumbo sizes, and in a variety of colors. It doesn't matter if you use the wooden sticks, or the plastic ones, as long as they are all the same size. Make one of each; they have totally different looks upon completion.

Lay one stick horizontally on a flat surface. Above it begin aligning sticks, side-by-side and butted together, until you have aligned enough to reach from one end of the horizontal stick, to the other. Brush white glue onto the aligned sticks, from top to bottom, then place the horizontal stick against the ends of the aligned sticks. Glue another stick, horizontally, to the opposite end. The arrangement should resemble a fence. The two horizontal sticks will help hold the vertical sticks in place.

If you want to make it even sturdier, glue a third stick onto the arrangement by placing one end of it at the left corner, and stretch it to the opposite corner, at the bottom right. This will form somewhat of a "z" shape on the back of the aligned sticks.

Now you have the lid of the box you'll be making. Create a handle for the lid by gluing on a stack of flat buttons, or choosing a novelty that can be glued in place. You can also use beads, soda lids, and similar items as a lid. Set the lid aside, to allow the handle to dry, while you work on the actual jewelry box.

Count how many sticks you aligned for the lid, and align that many once again, to begin forming the bottom of the box. Brush on white glue and form an "x" with additional sticks, on top of the aligned popsicle sticks. One stick will be placed from corner to corner, then you'll snap another stick in half, place each half from center to corner, to form the other part of the "x".