Secret Compartment Purse

Materials:

cigar box
5" x 8" x 1/4" thin wooden board
brass hinges and clasp
Halcraft® assorted bead mix
Halcraft® crimp beads
Artistic Wire® 18-gauge non-tarnish silver wire
Halcraft® Tigertail stringing cord
Clearsnap® Colorbox® pigment inkpads
embossing powder
Halcraft® tiny gold glass marbles
Plaid® Royal Coat® Dimensional Magic - Clear
Making Memories® Metal Alphabet Charms
Krylon® Spray varnish
miscellaneous supplies: stickers, button or large bead, stippling brushes, rubber stamps, felt, wood glue, pencil, brush
tools: wire cutters, needle nose pliers, Dremel tool with 3/8" bit, jeweler’s saw, small screw driver, scissors, sandpaper, clamps, heat gun, ruler

1. Creating the secret compartment:
Measure the selected item (business cards, cell phone, etc.) to be stored in the purse compartment. Add 3/8 inch to each dimension for attaching the sidepieces (figure A).

2.Place the bottom of the pattern on the bottom of the cigar box, 1/2 inch from the edges and glue in place with rubber cement. Cut out an opening with a saw (figure B) and sand all the edges of the opening.

3. Pre-cut sidepieces of the compartment and glue to the bottom piece, placing edges of sidepieces onto the bottom (figure C ). Set aside to dry.

4. Place the secret compartment on the inside lower right corner of the cigar box covering the hole. On the inside of the box, glue the compartment in place (figures D and E). Use a foam piece to hold the compartment in place until the glue is dry. Drill four holes to attach the strap and clasp to the lid. Use a Dremel tool to drill a hole on the side of the box and indicate other holes that will be drilled. Attach compartment lid with hinges and clasp with a screwdriver (figure F).

5. Decorate box as desired. Stamp selected images on the outside of the box embellish with tiny glass marbles. Varnish and allow to dry.

6. String cords with beads (figure G). Attach stringing cord to the purse by inserting the end through the drilled hole on the side; attach a bead and a crimp bead to anchor (figure H). Add beads to create a strap and attach the other end of the strap.

7. Place precut felt liner in box and attach felt to the box with glue (figure I).

Pattern dimensions:

• Left: Compartment bottom pattern: 6-1/4" x 2-13/16"
  
• Right: Cigar box door cutout pattern: 6" x 2-9/16"