Introduction: Desk and Jewelry Organizer From Cardboard

I have been wanting a desk and jewelry organizer for a while, or at least a good looking one. I wanted a good looking one and one that has both a jewelry section and a desk section... so I decided to make one that everyone will be able to use. There are two sections with the organizer, desk and jewelry organizer, this will take up less room and will be easier to get both. With the desk organizer section you can hold scissors, pencils, pens, highlighters, glue sticks, paper clips, and paper clamps. The jewelry section can hold necklaces, earings, bracelets, headbands, rings, and other small things. If you ever get stuck look at the images because those will help you out tremendously!!

Supplies

For All

  • Cardboard (Box or Sheets used for the base of the item; can also have extra pieces of cardboard)
  • Box Cutter/Exacto Knife (either works)
  • Paper Scraps,Decorative Paper, OR Colored paper (Main part of decoration)
  • Hot Glue Gun (with glue)
  • Glue Stick (Like Elmer's®)
  • Ribbons and Jewels (Optional for decoration)
  • Duck Tape (Colorful! Add some pop!)
  • Ruler/Measuring Device
  • Pen/Pencil/Sharpie (Any works for marking the length and widths)
  • Scissors

Desk Organizer

  • Pringles Container (2 if they are the "to go" size OR 1 if it is the normal size)

Jewelry Section

  • Extra Buttons/Jewels (For Drawers)
  • Cloth
  • Gem (Optional for top of Jewelry Box)

Step 1: Creating the Base

We want to create the base that we build off of. To do this we need to cut the cardboard down into pieces to glue together. To do this you need to measure off 10.5 inches (27 centimeters; width/how long it is) and 7 inches (18 centimeters; how tall it is/length) of the cardboard for the back of the whole thing. Label this "1" in the bottom left-hand corner of the cardboard, draw a circle around the number (small).

Next, on the piece of cardboard, you just cut, measure out 5 inches (12.5 centimeters; width) on the side that you marked "1" and mark it with your writing utensil. Start your measuring tool on the far left-hand side. The smaller half will be used for the jewelry drawers, while the larger half will be used for the desk part. (image 1)

Now, cut out 2 strips of cardboard 3 inches (8 centimeters; width/horizontal) and 7 inches (18 centimeters; length/vertical) from a new piece of cardboard (not the ones you already cut), these will be used for the jewelry drawers. Label this "2" in the bottom right-hand corner of one of the cardboard pieces and label the other piece "3" in the bottom left-hand corner of the piece (doesn't matter which piece has which number), draw a circle around the numbers (small). Once you are done put this aside.

Now, cut out a piece of cardboard that is 3 inches (12.7 centimeters; length) and 10.5 inches (27 centimeters; width) from another new piece of cardboard. This will be used for the bottom of the whole item. Label this "4" in the bottom left-hand corner of the cardboard, draw a circle around the number (small).

Lastly, cut out an additional piece of cardboard that is 5 and 3/4 inches wide (14.6 centimeters; horizontal) and 2 1/2 inches length (6.35 centimeters; vertical). Put this with the others that you cut previously.

Step 2: Gluing the Base Together

We need to glue the base together in order for it to hold things. With the piece labeled "1" glue the side that has the number you drew and hot glue the width of the bottom (closest side to the number) and glue it to the "4". (Same side as the label).

Next, take the piece labeled "2" and glue it to the left-most side of the piece. This is creating a "L" shape with a back on it. Now, grab the piece labeled "3" and add glue to the side closest to the label and bottom. Then glue it to the line that you made on piece "1" in the previous step. This should make a rectangle on the left-most side and leave the right-most side alone.

Now, take the non-labeled piece of cardboard, and glue in onto the right-most side. This should be almost in line with the first wall you put up and it should be touching the right-most corner.

Step 3: Creating the Containers for the Desk Section

We need to have barriers in the desk section for it to hold things, and you being able to find your tool easier. To do this we need to cut out a cardboard piece. Cut out a piece of cardboard that is 5 and 3/4 inches wide/horizontal (14.6 centimeters) and 3 inches tall/vertical (7.6 centimeters). Label this "5" in the bottom left-hand corner of the cardboard and set aside

Now, on the piece of cardboard on the right-most side that we haven't done anything to, measure out 1 and 1/2 inches (3.8 centimeters) from the back. Draw a horizontal line (going from the piece of cardboard that will be included in the jewelry section, to the end of the piece) that you can see clearly so you know where to put your piece of cardboard labeled "5".

Next, cutting your pringles can. Draw a line in somewhat the middle of the lid. Then using a ruler, continue that line through the rest of the can until you reach the line where it started. This doesn't matter where the exact line is because if it is a little lopsided it won't ruin the beauty of the project! Label these "6" and "7", put this on the bottom somewhere (anywhere; doesn't matter these will be hidden in the end).

Step 4: Creating the Organization Shelves for the Jewelry Section

The organizer needs something to put things in and keep them closed for some time, this is why there is going to be drawers. To create the drawers we first need to create the outline of where they are going to rest and close into. To start, cut out a new piece of cardboard that is 5 width (horizontal; 12.7 centimeters) and 7 inches length (vertical; 17.8 centimeters).

Now, to make a place where the drawers will be accessible. IN PENCIL, start by measuring out 1/2 inch (1.3 centimeters) from the top of the cardboard, make a tiny line horizontally, DO NOT create a line that goes all the way to the end of the cardboard (image 1). Measure out 1/2 inches from the left side and draw a tiny line, again DO NOT create a line that goes all the way to the end of the cardboard, if you do the project will be ruined; draw the mark in line with the mark that was measured from the top, this should create a box in the upper left-hand corner. Measure out the same distance as you just did for the left side and do it for the right side; draw the mark in line with both marks that you did previously.

Next, measure out 2 inches vertically from the lines that you just created (image 3). This will look like 2 boxes in the upper corners and 2 lines coming off of the boxes. Now connect the corners by drawing lines horizontally on the top and bottom making it into a box (image 5). To create the gap between the drawers, measure out 1/2 inch (1.3 centimeters), then make a little line horizontally at the 1/2 mark . Now do what you did in the paragraph above (image 7). The last box I made was only 1 and 1/2 inches in length because the drawers need room to open and close.

Set this aside.

Step 5: Creating the Desk Organization Section

First, grab the Pringles cans that were cut earlier. Draw a line where you want to cut them. This depends on how you want the organizer. I decided to cut mine about 1 and 1/2 inches above the cardboard divider we had just cut because I want it to be seen with the decoration that is about to be on it. I did this with both of the pringles halves.

Next, decorate them with the paper and a glue gun! Have fun with this! I also used buttons to decorate the top of the can but that is your choice and duck tape to clean off the edges a bit; these are both optional, just thought I would put it out there!

Now, grab the main organizer and the part labeled "5". Face the side that does have the label on it outwards so it is facing you and the unlabeled side is facing the inside of the cardboard. Glue the decorated pringles containers to the side that had the label, and glue the front of the can that is decorated onto the cardboard (image 1). Now glue them onto the main thing using hot glue.

Last, creating a barrier. To do this measure out 5 inches (12.7 centimeters; width) and measure out about 1/2 an inch below the pringles container edge, this will give room to show off the buttons( this depends on how high you cut your pringles container). Label this "8" in the bottom left hand corner, set aside.

Step 6: Creating the Organization Shelves: Jewelry Section

With the base of the drawers we did in step 4, cut out the boxes that we made previous (image 1). Try not to ruing the boxes because these are going to be used for the drawer base.

Next, cut out 2 pieces of cardboard that are both 4 1/2 inches wide (11.43 centimeters; horizontal) 3 inches length (7.62 centimeters; vertical). These are going to be used for the shelves.

Now, with the base cut out (the thing you cut the boxes out of), place it on the 2 walls that are glued on the base (don't glue them). Draw a line on the back piece of cardboard from the stencil that you cut out. For the middle and top boxes draw a line on the bottom cut.

After that, hot glue the shelves onto the lines you made. Glue all three sides or else the shelves will be off balance.

Meanwhile, in the middle section, draw eight boxes it doesn't matter how big each of them are, but these are were your earrings are going to be placed. When you are done with that, cut out 8 lines of cardboard that fit your lines to create dividers, (I can't give an exact measurement because it will vary between how big the boxes are). Decorate these dividers and the whole shelf, be creative and have fun!!

Afterward, in the first section (on the top) mark a line in half on the shelf, this will be for the line of the divider. Create a barrier that will go on the line using cardboard, decorate the shelving unit, and decorate the barrier.When you are done, glue the barrier onto the line.

Then, in the last section (on the bottom) mark a line in half on the shelf, this will be the line for the divider. Create a barrier that will go on the line using cardboard, decorate the shelving unit, and decorate the barrier. When you are done, glue the barrier onto the line.

Lastly, glue the drawer base to the whole section (this is the piece with the 3 boxes that are removable. Glue the section that holds the boxes NOT THE BOXES THEMSELVES.Make sure to decorate the boxes and the skeleton before gluing onto the main item!

Step 7: Finishing the Item!

First, create a piece of cardboard that is 5 inches wide (horizontal) and 2 and 1/2 inches length (vertical). This will be used for the dividers of the organizer (desk section). Decorate this and glue it on where ever you want, this will be the decider of how much room your glue sticks and scissors get.

Now, glue the piece labeled "8" to the side of the whole item. This will be the wall so things don't fall out.

Lastly, create a roof for the jewelry section of it. Create and glue a piece of cardboard that is 4 and 3/4 inches wide and 3 and 1/4 inches length. Decorate this. Create and glue a piece of cardboard that is 2 and 3/4 inches wide and 2 and 1/4 inches length. Glue onto the very front of the desk organizer to allow it to hold things.