This paper art jewellery cabinet is an original creation.
About ten years ago I saw a gorgeous wall-mounted jewellery cabinet online, while I was searching for a new duvet cover. It really grabbed my attention: the colours, the design, the size…it was perfect! Except that it cost hundreds of dollars. So I decided I would make my own, out of paper. I created an origami design and began work on it right away.
Unfortunately, the project soon fell by the wayside as work commitments took precedence. And then we started a family, and I just never finished it.
But, behold, I did eventually finish it! A year ago I dug it out of storage, and I am ready to share this gorgeous DIY origami paper art jewellery cabinet with you.
Expert tips
This project was a really long one, and not just because it sat unfinished for a number of years. It wasn’t technically hard, just very time consuming because of the number of small petals. You don’t have to make such an ambitiously-sized cabinet though. Try making a small one, or just a piece of art for your wall. Or you can try placing the art piece on a mini-stand. And what about a gorgeous greeting card that is semi-3D? The possibilities are endless!
I used Tant origami paper for all the coloured pieces in this DIY origami paper art jewellery cabinet, and Japanese momi paper for everything that is off-white. The Tant paper is a little thick, making it a bit harder to fold, but the colours are just so rich I didn’t mind. You can choose another kind of paper you like though. To find momi paper, try visiting a specialty paper store if you live in a large enough urban centre. If you don’t, you can also find it at specialty stores online, or simply use any foldable white-toned paper that you like. To make your project really stand out, try using black for all the background petals and a lighter palette for the coloured petals.
I used white craft glue in this project. If you want to get fancy, you can definitely use a spray adhesive when you are mounting the momi paper sheet (or your choice of paper) onto the canvas. It will be faster, but I try to avoid buying aerosol spray cans whenever I can for environmental reasons.
Paper art jewellery cabinet supplies
• Tant origami paper, 100 colour package • Japanese momi paper, off-white • scissors or paper cutter • 2 painting canvases, any size • white craft glue • brass hinges • brass hook and eye latch • brass hooks • twine • pencil • ruler
Paper art jewellery cabinet instructions
Step 1
These steps picture a small jewellery cabinet, but can be adapted for any size frame. Begin with the canvas size you prefer. Cut a piece of momi paper that is 2 or 3 inches larger than the canvas. Glue the canvas to the momi paper. You will need to make two of these for a jewellery cabinet. If you just want a piece of wall art, once will suffice.
Step 2
Fold the flaps of the momi paper in, gluing as you go, and cutting away excess paper as if you are wrapping a present.
Step 3
Finish folding in the momi paper flaps and gluing them down.
Step 4
Cut a piece of momi paper to be the same size as the inner side of the canvas frame.
Step 5
Glue the rectangle of paper to the inner side of the canvas frame.
Step 6
This is what the canvas frame should look like after covering with momi paper.
Step 7
For the large flower petals, cut 3 inch squares from Tant paper. You need 11 squares for one flower.
Step 8
For the white petals, cut 2 inch squares from momi paper. For the small petals, cut 1.5 inch squares. The number needed will depend on the size of the canvas frame.
Step 9
For the large petals, start by folding a 3 inch square of paper in half diagonally.
Step 10
Open the square and fold the outer edges into the middle diagonal.
Step 11
Fold the remaining flap in to form a triangle.
Step 12
Fold the unit in half with the flap you just folded up on the outside.
Step 13
Fold the bottom edge up.
Step 14
Open the petal.
Step 15
Shape the petal by gently reverse folding.
Step 16
Apply some white glue inside the bottom flap of the petal.
Step 17
Apply glue on the outside of the bottom flap of the petal.
Step 18
Glue the petal onto the momi-paper covered frame.
Step 19
Add a second petal, butting it right up next to the first one.
Step 20
Glue on 11 petals in total, each right up against the other, to make a large flower.
Step 21
To make the inner petal for the large flower, fold a petal with the 2 inch size momi paper. At the back, fold up the bottom flap, and at the side, push in the side flap.
Step 22
Apply glue to the back of the inner petal.
Step 23
Glue on the inner petal to the middle of the large flower.
Step 24
Fold as many of the small petals as you like, and glue them on in a design that you like.
Step 25
Here is a second design idea for the small petals.
Step 26
Fold the 2 inch white momi paper petals and glue them on in the space left on the canvas.
Step 27
Here is a second option with the white petals.
Step 28
Now use screwdriver to add hinges and attach the front and back frames. Also add hooks and twine for earring lines or for bracelets & necklaces. Add a hook & eye closure so the cabinet can be latched.
Step 29
The jewellery cabinet shut, with the hinges added.
Step 30
The hook & eye closure latched.
Step 31
Add 4 D-hooks on the back with a screwdriver, so that the cabinet can be mounted to a wall.
Step 32
The finished jewellery cabinet. You can scale up these instructions to make a bigger version if you like!
