If you are looking for cigar boxes, I have found that my local cigar shop sells these boxes very cheep. If that doesn't work for you there are some online sources.
To keep the natural wood finish choose a cigar box that doesn't have the
label burnt in. sometimes when it is lightly burnt in, it can be sanded out.
If not then you will have to fill it with wood putty, sand and paint it.
I have done some painted boxes to and they come out nice also. Remove all
the paper labels and sand lightly then spray it with a coat of polyurethane.
After it is dry you can stamp it with Brilliance ink and paint it with
Lumiere's if you wish. When it is completely dry spray several more coats
of polyurethane allowing to dry between coats.
The lining was pretty simple. First measure all the sided of the inside of the box. Cut fabric that will fit the inside
of the bottom of the box section. Spray it with spray glue and stick them in place. You will also
need to make a "V" of fabric for the "fold out" section. To do this measure the width you want it to open and the length
of the lid. Then make the width of the "V" an inch wider than you wish it to open and make the length of the "V" a
couple of inches longer than the length of the box. Hem the top of the "V" then fold the "V" in half and press. Sew as
close to the fold as possible (see pic 1.). Glue this to face to the inside of the purse as you see in the picture of the
completed cigar box purse with the extra length folding to the inside where the hinge joins, that way as you close the
purse it will fold to the inside and not get caught in the box. The next step will cover the glue lines and the following
step will cover the "tails" of the "V" that is folded to the inside. Now cut poster board long enough to go around the
sides and top inside the box but not the bottom side (as you see in Picture 3). Cover it with fabric folding the raw edges
to the back and securing with glue. Glue the fabric covered poster board in place so that the box sides on the inside is
finished but not the sides which is now the bottom of the purse. Cut a piece of card stock (it bends easier than
the poster board) the width of both the lid and bottom of the cigar box (the uncovered side). Score it so that it will
bend easily where the hinge is and cover it also with fabric. Glue the bottom in over the "tails" of the "V" section
and also against the inside lid finishing the lining.
