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Two-Tier Plywood Jewelry Box

A small hinged jewelry box built entirely from 1/2" plywood, with a shallow lid tray sitting on a deeper base.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L	Material	✓
Top/bottom panels	2	1/2" × 5" × 8 3/8"	1/2" plywood	☐
Bottom box front/back	2	1/2" × 3 1/2" × 9 3/8"	1/2" plywood	☐
Bottom box sides	2	1/2" × 3 1/2" × 5"	1/2" plywood	☐
Top box sides	2	1/2" × 2" × 5"	1/2" plywood	☐
Top box front/back	2	1/2" × 2" × 9 3/8"	1/2" plywood	☐

Item	Qty	✓
1/2" plywood, partial sheet One sheet yields several boxes; buy a full sheet even for one.	1 sheet	☐
Pocket hole screws, 3/4" (micro)	16 each	☐
Jewelry box hinges and latch	1 set	☐
Small mirror (optional)	1 each	☐
Wood filler	1 each	☐
Edge banding	1 roll	☐
Brad nails, 1"	1 box	☐
Paint or stain	4 oz	☐
Satin ribbon, 1/2" (optional pull-tab)	1 yard	☐

Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.

1. Cut all the pieces
Tools: Circular Saw. Materials: 1/2" plywood, partial sheet
Cut every plywood piece for both the top (lid) box and the bottom box per the cut list.
2. Drill the pocket holes
Tools: Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 1/2" plywood, partial sheet
Drill two pocket holes along each side of the top and bottom panels using a micro jig sized for 1/2" stock — a standard jig is set up for thicker material and will blow through a panel this thin.
3. Assemble both boxes
Tools: Brad Nailer, Drill / Driver. Materials: 1/2" plywood, partial sheet, Pocket hole screws, 3/4" (micro), Brad nails, 1"
Attach the four side pieces to the bottom panel with pocket screws to build the bottom box, reinforcing with brad nails if needed. Build the top (lid) box the same way.
4. Band the edges
Tools: Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Edge banding
Iron edge banding onto every exposed plywood edge, trim the overhang with a utility knife, and sand it flush.
5. Fill, sand, and finish
Tools: Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Wood filler, Paint or stain
Fill any tear-out or exposed pocket holes with wood filler, sand smooth, then paint or stain both boxes.
6. Hinge and finish out
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Jewelry box hinges and latch, Small mirror (optional), Satin ribbon, 1/2" (optional pull-tab)
Attach the hinges and latch to join the lid box to the base. Optionally glue in a small mirror and a ribbon pull-tab.