Sweet Fabric [Search results for MP3 music box] 

I'm so pleased with my MP3 music box. I do love the wind up, plinky plunky version but this is something quite special, I think.

The Story
Someone contacted me via the website to ask if it would be possible to have a music box which played The Cure. I did a bit of research & found nothing. Then another person asked if they could have an original piece of music added to a music box.

I got to thinking & originally purchsed one of those "record your own" greeting cards. It wasn't at all satisfactory. The quality was terrible and you could only record about 20 seconds.

Then I wondered about making a little pocket for an iPod or MP3 player. There is also a speaker below the "false floor" of the music box. The wiring is all hidden in the lining and both the speaker and iPod/MP3 can be used outside the music box. The only element that is fixed is the wiring.

I did manage to break one speaker trying to force it into my standard size music box. The final version is 800g tinned tomato size.

So...a couple of casualties, much swearing & back to the drawing board moments, but I'm thrilled with the end result.

I'm also grateful to people who ask questions & push a bit.

Finally, the MP3 music boxes are reaching the point where I am totally happy with them.

I had a flash of brilliance (or maybe not - you decide) on the run a couple of weeks ago. I thought it would be lovely to read a favourite story and save the MP3 file onto the player. I took this idea one step further & have recorded the letter I wrote to the big girl the week after she was born.

I wasn't really sure about it but I gave it to her & when I came back to check on her I noticed her now 12 year old eyes were filled with tears. She absolutely loved it! I think this is a "treasure forever" kind of thing & only wish that I had the idea when the smalls were born. I would have written a letter every year & by now she would have 13 letters to listen to.

Maybe I'll write a little retrospective for each of them...

I'm wondering if you guys can help me out with the whole music box caper?

If you were to buy a music box would you prefer:

a) Traditional wind up
b) MP3 music box with MP3 player & speaker
OR
c) MP3 music box with speaker (& wire) only. This would only be an option if you already owned a shuffle or pebble sized MP3 player.

Thanks in advance.

I've finally managed a little shop update.

I've pushed myself beyond my normal "warehouse" comfort zone & actually put a few of the music boxes up in the shop.

I've been making quite a few online purchases lately & keep checking in on a few of my super favourite girls in the hope that they might announce a shop update & allow me a little piece of their crafty action.

Today, I've taken the lead from the wonderful "storefront" girls I've been buying from & I'm hoping the aforementioned might follow.

There is a selection of tradional windup music boxes & MP3 ready versions too.

Music Box Shop

The fabric used for this music box is by Melbourne fabric designer Lara Cameron.

Have a wonderful weekend.

I'm working on a little music box shop update but I want to make sure that the pictures tell the story.

Do you see the speaker below the "floor" of the music box?

Why I think these are good...

Music and/or stories have been excellent sleep cues for my smalls.

I like the idea of using a "superseded" piece of technology in a new way.

I'm proud of the fact that the speaker & the MP3 player can be used outside the music box.

Happy weekend.

in progress.

I found that my cheat sheet wasn't that helpful. I've re-written now & the making is getting faster.

Loving this fabric made up as a music box.