For a very long time, I kept my jewelry in a box that I’d picked up at some garage sale somewhere. It wasn’t a plain box, it was a jewelry box that was made for just that purpose, and I thought it was rather pretty. I’d toss everything in there and while it did a fine job of containing my jewelry, there was a problem.

You see, I’d route through it to find certain pieces and quickly it would devolve into a messy pile of rings, bracelets, and necklaces. It could take me forever just to find a mate to the earrings I wanted to wear. I spent a lot of unnecessary time detangling the chaos. And, because my jewelry was all hidden away, I’d also forget I owned some pieces. For years.

It finally became clear that it was time to ditch the jewelry box and try something different. If you’re like me, take a look at the ideas that follow and see if there isn’t one that strikes your fancy for, well, your fancies.

Empty Frame Hanging Necklace Holder

 

This project is really simple. You’ll need an old picture frame—preferably a bit larger, say 2’X3’ or so—some spray paint, 3 or 4 ½”-thick tree branches (or you could substitute dowel rods from the hardware store, but I like the homey look of the branches), course sandpaper, some ¾” nails, and a hammer.

First you’ll want to spray paint your frame. Choose a color that matches well with the room you’ll be hanging it in. After the paint dries, sandpaper areas around the edge to give your frame an antique-y look. Lie the frame down so that the back is exposed. Measure your branches so that they fit inside the back grooves of the frame, they should fit inside rather snugly and the ends shouldn’t be visible from the front.

Carefully nail through branches and into the frame, but be careful that the nail doesn’t go all the way through. You might need to repeat this a few times to keep the branches secure. You’ll want to put three or four across evenly spaced down the frame. It looks great as a display over a dresser or vanity. You can loop your necklaces around or add hanging hooks to dangle them from and for your other jewelry, try miscellaneous antique bowls and plates of bowls beneath the frame to keep them organized.

Knick-Knack Shadow Box

Garage sales and craft shops alike are teeming with shadow boxes. You know, those wooden boxes with a multitude of cubbies that people hang on their wall to display knick-knacks. Well, they also make great displays for your jewelry.

When you run across one of ample size that you like, snag it. Spray paint it a color that really pops with your other furnishings. You’ll want to also invest in some small hooks and eye screws.

After you’ve painted your box, attach a row of hooks along the bottom edge. You’ll be able to hang your necklaces along the bottom. Inside each of the cubbies, attach either two of the eye screws to hang earrings or else a hook if you want to hang bracelets. Once you have it up on your wall, the cubbies work well for storing rings as well.

Hanging Branch Necklace Rod

The final idea is the simplest of all. Simply find a branch that is twisty, but that will hang flush to the wall. Cut a piece of thin wire that is just a few inches longer than your branch. Wrap one end of the wire tightly along one end of the branch. You might want to use a pair of pliers to make certain you get it coiled nice and tight.

Repeat process on the other end so that you have a wire with a bit of slack to hang your branch on the wall. Hang some hooks like these over it and you’ve got yourself a rustic looking necklace rod. It looks great paired with a mishmash of wooden bowl beneath it for your other baubles.

Adria Saracino is a marketer, freelancer, and blogger. She writes for My Love Wedding Ring, which has an epic selection of sapphire rings. When not freelancing or obsessively pinning items for her apartment, you can find her writing about style on her personal fashion blog, The Emerald Closet.