Hiya, Magi:

Lately I've been trying to be more organised in transporting props to shows, a task made more difficult by having a couple of different gig rigs. The key, it seems to me, was packing props in individual boxes with labels indicating contents.

I've read other posts recommending Rubbermaid products, clear plastic shoeboxes, and etc., and while these ideas are swell for storage, I needed something that would look right in my show, complementing my performance and fitting my character. Plastic boxes just seemed a little too sterile.

The solution? Cigar boxes. These little gems are wooden (even the paper covered ones are made of plywood, not cardboard), they're varied in size and fit a majority of the props I'm storing/transporting (the idea is to introduce the prop during the show, unpacking it as needed - thus the need for something with a little character), and...I got 3 or 4 dozen of them for FREE.

And, it looks like I picked up a gig while I was chatting with the manager

Leland

Thanks for the info and congrats on the gig. Never thought of cigar boxes but they do have character. I just passed up some old ones at a yard sale today too.

Great idea. Thanks Leland!

Mark.

Around here...the cigar stores (and I'm not a smoker of anything) have realized the possible profits to be made from the nice, cedar and cedar-lined cigar boxes, and now they're selling them for upwards of $5-$10 each, depending upon size, type and style. I have quite a few, they do come in handy.

Steve

Some cigar boxes not only look good but also made beautifully.

I keep my bizarre and mental props a cigar box from a country club.

Another container I used was made from a fairly large, used book.
Removed the pages; made a thin 4 sided wood box the size and thickness of the pages, painted that off white and glued it inside the book covers.
I lost this years ago but the title had the word 'Underground' in it which I thought was appropriate.

I love the cigar box idea. I look in thrift shops for nice (but inexpensive, 1-2 dollars, boxes) including cigar boxes.

For those interested but don't have an outlet for them:

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/prodD......ar+boxes

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/prodD......mp;cat=3

Thanks for those links -- I just ordered some

Thanks for the links too - great cigar boxes and very good buys too.

Thanks for the links.

You are all very welcome. Glad to be of service to my brethren. And their cigar deals are pretty good too! :0)

Doug (I love a good Kuba Kuba)

D Byrd, my wife is gonna kill you

Seriously, great idea!

My kids quit using a box that held wooden blocks. It has a sliding plastic top, but the rest is wood. Works well for some small props.

I happen upon all sorts of "free" cases though. Little pouches from toys/jewelry, an "art box" that is really a metal briefcase and holds about 6 decks of cards... But my favorite is a plastic index card holder with a snap front. It holds 2 poker decks perfectly!

I received my shipment of cigar boxes... and I'm absolutely thrilled with them! I ordered 10 of the standard assortment of boxes at $1 each, and 10 of the assorted wooden boxes at $2 each. The wooden boxes are especially beautiful! It's amazing these can be produced so inexpensively.

I've been storing all my effects in cigar boxes for years now....One thing you can do is get some contact paper, and make your own covers for the box....I use a label maker, and put a label on each box...ie, Card decks, Coins, Misc., etc...

If you need some cigar boxes, you can drop by Michael's craft stores and buy some nice wooden ones for $3 a box.

I picked up a few with slide tops - I like them. The cover doesn't open if the box tilts.

As a kid I use to store bunches of electronic parts in cigar boxes.
Sometimes even building projects in em.

But it’s been a few years and I never thought about storing my
growing collection in these.

Nice links too D Byrd. Who would have guessed you could by empty cases.

I store a lot of magic in clear pencil boxes and clear shoe boxes. That way, I can see at a glance what I have, without necessarily having to open it. I also have a clear utility box, with dividers, in my closeup case.

Now.. If only my Sword Basket would fit in a cigar case.