Repurpose This: Wooden Pencil Box

I must be in a lazy hibernation mode this week. Both the Somewhat Weekly Recipe and today’s Repurpose This challenge are really easy. What the heck, we all deserve to get a little almost-instant gratification once in a while.

Here is the pencil box I have.  It is carved wood, and the top part slides across to give access. It’s a bit rough, so the edges may need to be sanded a bit to make movement easier.

Retro wooden pencil box, looking for a new home (photo courtesy of Beyond Back Creek)

To my half-caffeinated brain this morning, the most obvious use would be to use it as a pencil case.  Does anyone use pencils anymore?

With the holidays approaching, it would make a lovely keepsake gift box.  Especially if you were to fill it with a pendant and earring set of fused glass jewelry from Angel’s Share Studio! (hint, hint)

Here are some other ideas I found on the wonderful web:

Sparky and Marie has a great little tutorial on transforming this tea box into a decorative storage container. While the dimensions are different, the procedure would certainly be similar.

Here’s the tea box before…(photo courtesy of Sparky and Marie)

This very similar pencil box was for sale on Etsy a while back.  It looks like it’s got a little decorative scribing and some paint or decals added to jazz it up.  Super-cute!

Vintage wooden pencil case, all dolled up. (photo courtesy of Ink Links)

There’s no rules with repurposing…so no reason you couldn’t split the pencil box into two components.  Try the bottom half as a windowsill planter for succulents, cacti, or those mysterious “air plants”.

This box is a little deeper than a pencil case, but it’s great inspiration! (photo courtesy of Andrew’s Reclaimed)

What about painting the top with blackboard paint, adding a magnet to the back, and using it as a mini-memo board on the fridge or a filing cabinet?

It’s available for giveaway to someone with a bright idea, or through FreeCycle.

What are your ideas for using this little treasure?  Let’s brainstorm!