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Every Girl’s Dream Jewelry Dresser

Every Girl has dreams of diamonds and pearls.  But what do you do with all that jewelry once you get it? Well, you create the perfect storage for your necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Here’s how you make dreams come true with every girl’s dream dresser.

Hey guys! It’s been a while since I posted my last post. I took a little bit of a break during the holidays and to be perfectly honest, I am still struggling mentally to get back in the grove of things. However, I’m thinking the best way to get back at it is to just to do it, get back at it. So this week I’m going to show you how to make this lovely storage caddy for your jewelry.  I’m a huge believer that where you store your jewelry should be just as stylish as you. It should be functional yes, but It should also compliment your decor and flow with your space.

If you’ve been following along for the last few months I mentioned that I am in a mentoring group, The SG Squad, led by Sandra of Sawdust Girl. I’m learning all sorts of new things and pushing myself as a woodworker to that next level.  This month we created woodworking jigs that we can use in our workshop.  I created a dado jig that would allow me to create dado joints using my palm router.  So for this project I used MDF board and dado joinery.  I wanted to test the properties of working with MDF and I wanted to test out using dado joinery.  This can be made using simple straight cuts.  Simply adjust the height of the sides and dividers to fit the back making the height 3.5″.

Materials

Tools

Dimensions and Cut List

  • 3 – 4″x16″ (Top, Bottom & Back)
  • 5 – 3.5″ x 4″ (Sides and Drawer Dividers)

Drawers

  • 4 – 3 5/8″ x 2 7/8″ ( Drawer Bottom)
  • 4 – 3 5/8″ x 3 3/8″ (Drawer Front)
  • 4 – 2 7/8″ x 2 1/8″ (Drawer Back)
  • 8 – 3 9/16″ x 2 7/16″ (Drawer Sides)
     

OK Let’s Get Dirty!

Step 1: Cut pieces to size.

I started by cutting down the MDF using the circular saw. While I used the miter saw to cut the dividers and smaller pieces, this can also to acheived using a hand saw.

Step 2: Measure and mark dado placement.

Once I had the two top and bottom pieces cut I marked out where the dado cuts would be made.  I laid the top and bottom side by side so that the joints,

once cut would match up.

  

Step 3: Route the dado joints.

Using the Dado Jig and my palm router, and a 1/4 straight router bit I cut into the MDF about a 1/4 of the way down to create a snug joint for the dividers of the jewelry dresser to sit in.

 

Step 4: Assemble the dresser portion.

So when working with MDF that is only 1/4″ thick I didn’t want to use and screws or nails.  So I used Liquid Nails.  I tried a few other glue types and brands, but found it to work the best.  And it worked great.  It just required a little patience on my part because I had to wait for the glue to dry.  Each dado was partitioned 3 11/16″ apart on the top and bottom boards.

Apply glue to the areas where the sides and dividers will rest in the dado joints.

  

Using clamps secure the top and bottom piece in place.  Set aside and allow 24 hours for it to dry.

 Step 5: Assemble drawers.

While the base dries assemble the drawers using Liquid nails starting with the bottom of the drawer.  Lastly, place the front of the drawer.  Repeat with remaining 3 drawers.  

Step 5: Place Back on the dresser.

Glue the back on the dresser. I simply placed a heavy book over it while the back dried.

Step 6. Allow glue on dresser and drawers to set for 24 hours.

Step 7. Stain legs and knobs.

I used American Chestnut by PPG for the stain.  It matched the natural tone of the MDF.

Step 8. Sand down glue spots.

Once the glue was set I sanded any excess glue marks.  You want to make sure all the smudges are sanded down, otherwise, it will show through the sealer and the MDF will appear stained. If you decide to paint the MDF this isn’t a large issue.  You just want to make sure the edges are nice and smooth.

Step 9. Seal MDF of Dresser and drawers with Mod Podge.

Once the dresser and drawers are sanded, seal with Mod Podge hardening sealer.  It helps seal the MDF from moisture and it further hardens the material.

Step 10. Decorate the drawer fronts.

 I used decorative paper to decorate the drawers.  Cut the paper down to the size of the drawer front. Apply using Mod Podge.      

Step 11: Attach legs.

Using the liquid nails attach the legs to the bottom of the dresser. 

Use a speed square to help line the legs up.

Step 12: Attach handles.

Drill a hole in the center of the drawer and screw on the knob.  I used both screws and glue when attaching the knob to ensure it stayed put. 

Step 13: Seal Dresser.

Seal the completed jewelry storage unit with Mod Podge sealer spray to protect the jewelry caddy.

 

Till Next Time, ~T.

 

 

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