How to Create A Music Box, Part I

Posted on November 14, 2008 - Filed Under jewelry | Leave a Comment

Everyday we are bombarded with noise. From the roar of a jet overhead to car horns honking while we sit in a traffic jam, we live in a world of noise and stress. How crucial it is, then, to find an outlet to relax our bodies and minds. For some, this might mean listening to the delicate and dreamy sounds of an inlaid music box, enjoying the notes from a gorgeous musical jewelry box, or relaxing while a small twirling ballerina spins in a ballerina music box. For others, it might mean creating their own special music box. When it comes to making a music box, there are certain considerations that need to be thought through. These are choosing a title for the music box, assessing one’s creative ability, and choosing a musical movement.

Music Box Title

Choosing a title for a music box is simple. One can use the songs that were used for the musical movement or just choose a favorite song that will go along with the music box’s theme. There is no right or wrong way for this; just choose a title that you love.

Levels of Ability

Anyone can make a music box. There are music boxes that are very simple to make, some are more challenging, and others can be quite difficult. Just choose to make one whose instructions you can easily follow based on your ability.

Decorative Accessories

This is the fun part of music box making. Many accessories can be found at craft stores such as Michael’s, Ben Franklin’s, Joann Fabrics, or your local Wal-Mart or craft store. It really doesn’t matter where the accessories come from. Just have fun with it!

Musical Movements

Musical movements can be found at craft stores as well. At times, since musical movement accessories can be difficult to find, some ceramic shops can order the accessories for you. Another important thing to consider is that different manufacturers of musical movements and accessories make their own models for producing parts. So, make sure that all parts are in good working order before putting a music box together.

Musical boxes have a way of relaxing us and causing us to dream of days long past. Whether it’s an inlaid music box, musical jewelry box, or ballerina music box, they are the perfect escape. Creating one of your own is very special as well. Why not take take some time out and begin right now?

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

Established in May of 2005, http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms d

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Creating Music Boxes, Part IV

Posted on November 11, 2008 - Filed Under jewelry | Leave a Comment

Creating inlaid music boxes, wooden jewelry boxes, musical jewelry boxes, children’s jewelry boxes, and other music boxes is an enjoyable hobby for some people. Here are seven hints to help the process go more smoothly.

Secure the Musical Movement

Use industrialized strength glue to secure musical movements into music boxes. Place a few dots of hot glue around the edges of the music movement if it is in a place where it can shift while the glue is drying.

Boxes with Pre-Drilled Holes

If one does not desire to drill holes into their music boxes, boxes can be purchased which already have holes. These are called “musical mementos boxes”. Make sure the accessories fit the holes, however.

Simple Outlining

A liner paintbrush used with thinned paint helps to make outlining more easily; make sure the paint is not too thick.

Making Perfect Dots

When needing to paint decorative dots on an inlaid music box, wooden jewelry box, or other styles of music boxes, use the end of a paintbrush (opposite the bristles). Use different brushes for a variety of sizes.

Perfect Hearts

Use the end of a paintbrush to make a heart. Make two dots next to each other with them touching at the center. Next, pull the paint down into a “V”. Fill with paint.

Correcting Mistakes

Babies’ wipes quickly and efficiently blot out mistakes. The wipes clean the paint before it is absorbed into the base coat of paint.

Sealing Difficult Surface Areas

If a musical jewelry box, children’s jewelry box, or any music box that is being created has a hard surface to coat, acrylic primer/sealer can be sued. The sealer finish is white, but it can be painted over with colored paint for the desired color.

Creating music boxes is a great hobby. Whether it is a musical jewelry box, inlaid music box, wooden jewelry box, or any style of music box, the process does not have to be difficult. Follow these seven helpful hints and be on your to making a dream music box to last a lifetime.

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

Established in May of 2005, http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms d

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How to Create A Music Box, Part II

Posted on October 18, 2008 - Filed Under jewelry | Leave a Comment

Creating beautiful music boxes such as ballerina music boxes, musical jewelry boxes, carousel music boxes, and others can be a fun activity and hobby. In addition to choosing the title for the music box, considering creative ability, and choosing decorative accessories, one must also look at the type of musical movement to use. Ones to consider are the 18-Note Key -Wind, Double Action, Magnetic Swing Arm, Electronic Miniatures, and Clear Tones.

18-Note Key-Wind

These musical movements are used frequently when music boxes are made. There are numerous song titles to choose from. In addition, to add various kinds of motion, these musical movements can be made with animation accessories.

Double-Action

The double action musical movements come with a turntable. What usually happens is the turntable rotates in one direction while three discs on top of the turntable spin figurines to and fro. This movement would be especially useful for those who love figurines.

Magnetic Swing Arm

This is a very interesting music movement; The movement rotates in a circle under the music box lid. A figurine can then be glued to a magnet and then the magnet can be placed on the lid of the music box. This causes the figurine to spin and dance because of the magnetic swing arm under the lid. Most of these musical movements come with all the needed parts.

Miniature

Miniature musical movements are 18-note key-wind musical movements without any accessory hole. They also come with a variety of song titles.

Electronic Miniature

Electronic miniatures musical movements are played by the touch of a finger. Their batteries can last up to 10,000 plays and replacement batteries are easy to find. They also come with a wide selection of song titles.

Clear Tone

The clear tone musical movements are 18-note key-wind musical movements. They housing over the top of the music box is clear so that one can look inside and clearly see all the working parts.

Creating a music box is a fun and relaxing activity. Whether it is a ballerina music box, musical jewelry box, carousel music box, or other type of music box, careful consideration to the type of musical movement used is essential to creating that perfect music box.

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

Established in May of 2005, http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms d

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