Compact Disc Jewel Cube Display Case

A fun way to display artwork, photos, drawings, digital prints, literary musings, mixed media creations, or whatever you like using four easily rearranged CD cases!

Jewel Cube Display Cases require no tools or adhesives and look great when strewn about the home. The cost to create one depends on what you'd like to place within the display areas or whether or not you'll be buying new jewel cases - I made all my cubes for free!

I had the idea for this project while experimenting with a stack of empty jewel cases - just trying to see if they could fit together in some way because I wanted to use them rather than toss 'em out. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised that they'd snap together so perfectly into a cube shape with only a few simple steps.

• Inner dimension of each display area is approximately 5.25 by 4.5 by .25 inches (135mm by 115mm by 6mm).

Step 1: Separating Jewel Case Pieces

Separate the three jewel case pieces and set aside the center CD holder.

• A relaxed approach is best when separating the pieces so as not to snap anything off and render your case useless.

Comments

[Aly]

I found your instructions via craftgossip.com

This is a great idea. I am having trouble following your directions though. You do mention 4 jewel cases but it is kind of buried in your intro. I think there is a way to have your first page or step one be just supplies needed.

Also, sometimes you say square and sometimes cube. When you say corner, do you mean edge?

A cube has 6 faces, 12 edges, and 8 corners. Is this cube open at both ends? Does each case front and back form a face of the open cube?

I see you posted this awhile ago so you might not see my questions. I will figure it out. Thanks for the idea!

[orquidea]

This is very cool! Maybe I can make a lamp from this idea...

[rightkeyrepair]

Fantastic!

[ruler challenged]

Thanks for the instructions, I have a bunch of cases and couldn't think of how to use them, now I do. I will place photos in mine and have a nice display. Keep the ideas coming.

[Harkle]

This is made of so much win - seriously! Thanks for sharing.

[louiedog67]

This is great! I made one of them earlier today and was inspired to use the resulting cube as (ironically enough) a cd storage box. Check it out at my blog..

http://louiedog67.blogspot.com/2009/01/so-this-is-in-its-early-stages.html

Thanks so much for the great technique!!

[stampez]

This is such a NEAT project. Thank you so much for sharing the directions and great step by step directions. I made one and posted it on my blog - to use as a Christmas Card holder. You can see it here: http://stampez.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/08/cd-jewel-case-box.html

[ctt489]

I've tried this for hours. You must have magical cd/dvd jewel cases. There is no way this can work without tape or glueing the 90degree pieces together. It doesn't work for me and I'm frustrated

[totemic]

Hmmm... You're the first I know of to have a problem, but I'll try to shed some additional light on steps where someone might make a wrong turn - hopefully that'll help you out: Probably the most important stage is getting the jewel case cover flipped around correctly. To do this, make sure the case you've just opened is laying flat (without having removed the cover, but just after removing the inside piece that holds the CD). With your opened case laying flat, carefully take the cover off and flip it over from top to bottom without connecting it to the bottom piece. After that lift it up as though you're closing the case, but only go halfway so the cover is pointing straight up. Connect the cover to the back of the case in that position - it should sort of lock into place and form an upright "L" shape. You'll need to do that 4 times with four of cases that are the same type. When you have your four "L" shaped piece constructed set two of them next to each other as seen in step 3. The cases will lock together because you're basically just matching the cover up with the back just like you do when closing a case in its normal position. If they're a little loose it will be corrected with the last L-shaped case because they'll be pressing against each other. The "hinges" from the case cover help provide a tight connection because when put into their new position it's difficult to bend them outward - placing them all together creates a tension that passes from one corner of the cube to another giving the cube its rigidity. The only really tricky part is setting in the last case because you have to sneak in through the last open corner of your cube. Once it's in position it should snap together securely and form a pretty solid cube - I have a bunch of these made months ago and they're still as solid as the day they were made. You may want to try building a cube without placing any artwork in it to get the hang of it first - it realy is a simple process, but at certain points you have to approach it with a little finesse. I hope this helps! :)

[ctt489]

Thanks so much for the details, it helped. I won't say what I did or didn't do in the first place. One problem still remains and that is one side is not as sung. I noticed that one side is a 2cd case but ironically that's not the one giving me a problem. Thanks again...great little box.

[shyrell]

A great idea! Just a few more instructions please for people like me who didn't realize at first the it would take 4 cases. (Duh! to me.) ;-)

[totemic]

Hi Shyrell, I mention at the beginning that it takes four cases - many people (including myself) tend to skim through instructions and miss things. I'll think about where to mention the need for 4 cases again and add it sometime soon.

[islander_circe]

No gluing or tools required - that has to be the easiest construction that I've seen to date. Will definitely make some of these. I love the artwork you have displayed in your cases. Where did you get these from? Are they your own work? Either way, they make miniature works of art of a storage item.

[totemic]

The artwork is my own - I'm primarily an ink artist, but I love the surprising images one can get just playing around in Photoshop. I'm glad you like the jewel cube - I was amazed they'd go together so easily and had to share the idea. If you create something with the cubes please post a photo as I'd love to see it!

[Surreal]

This is an awesome idea! I'm gonna try making a base and lid for it out of chopsticks/skewers, in a square slightly bigger than the face size. I was thinking of either lashing together the skewers like a bamboo placemat (or gluing together a row of square edged chopsticks) and then gluing 4 chopsticks in a square on the inside of these mats to make it sit snug into the square opening (if that makes any sense!). I'll glue the bottom "lid" to the base of the CD cases using a glue gun, or something. How's that sound? I'll try and do it this weekend and upload photos. Let me know if you have any suggestions! Im gonna make it as a present for a friend, and fill it with small bags of gummy bears!

[Surreal]

Just to update, I did make one. I bought a pair of bamboo sushi rolling mats, cut them into the same square as the CD box footprint and sewed them together at the corners. I then made the CD box as normal, and then attached the CD box to the bamboo base by threading a strong length of wool through the holes in the CD cases (where the tabs stick inwards to place the inlay leaflet). Unfortunately I already gave the present to my friend, but I will try and get photos when I can. :)

[totemic]

Surreal , Your creation sounds really cool and I'd love to see it - maybe you could make an instructable for your enhanced cube so others could make one too. :)

[jpfaraco]

This is so simple I can't believe it.. Just love these jewel case projects !

[ghicken]

I recently found a cube similar to this one with about 20 year old photos in it.

[iraqniphobia]

Oh man, this, plus a lamp like http://www.instructables.com/id/shoji-style-table-lamp/

or another simple lamp like that would look pretty nice.

[totemic]

That would be cool - maybe with some colored CD cases (I may have to try that!) A friend of mine also suggested drilling holes in the inner post and placing Christmas lights in each hole which would look like colored blinking stars.