Allow the wash to dry thoroughly. Paint the entire inside of the box with paint that hasn't been thinned. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly. Using a crumpled brown-paper bag with no printing on it, rub all the surfaces, and wipe off any dust with a tack rag or soft cloth. Using Flair Finish and the sponge brush, cover all surfaces of the box.
Safety is very important.
Keep both hands behind the gouge blade so the knife doesn't slip. Always use a razor-sharp knife. Dull knives are more dangerous because they're more likely to slip. Always carve with the grain of the wood. If the wood begins to tear rather than cut, turn it and carve from the other direction.