I needed a quick and easy solution to get my ever growing earring collection under control and up on the wall where's I can sees 'em! I didn't even remember I had all these earrings! They've been hidden in jewelry boxes, the boxes they came in, in a travel jewelry case I found that I never emptied after a trip! Obviously, I'm in need of a little organization, but until I can buy one of these suckers (we need a new dresser first) this was my solution using things I just had around the house.
What you'll need:
- Some embroidery hoops of various sizes
- lace or other open weave fabric
- scissors
- craft or fabric glue
- fabric stiffening spray- I used a brand called "stiffen stuff" from a craft store
Place the fabric in the embroidery hoops where you'd like it and pull taught. I spent some time deciding how I wanted the designs to lay inside the hoop...
Once they're how you'd like them and pulled tight on all sides, spray the fabric thoroughly with the stiffening spray and let dry (this stuff took about an hour.)
Once dry, the fabric should feel more stiff like a window screen- this step is the trick to making these easy to get your earrings in and out of and keeping them tight through the years.
Cut the fabric around the hoops with a 1/4" or so border- as you can see, it really doesn't have to be neat. Place glue all around the inside edge and fold the fabric down tight- craft glue worked great on the wood hoop and I used a stronger fabric-specific glue on the plastic hoops.
And once the glue dries, you're in business! Add earrings, bang some nails in the wall and you're done. Easy peasy pretty organization.
I need to make one more big hoop to hold my BIG earrings (yes, I still have more!) but these have been working out pretty darn well so far. And I've been wearing earrings more often because of them too!
Now, what to do about all my necklaces... how do you ladies keep your jewelry organized?
Geez! It is easy.
Posted by: Purple Deer | Jul 20, 2011 at 09:40 AM
Love these - just posted my recycled antique flour sifter earring holder the other day but I love this too!
Posted by: Debbie @ Bridalhood | Jul 20, 2011 at 09:43 AM
Stiffening spray! Of course! What a great idea!
Posted by: Adventures in Dressmaking | Jul 20, 2011 at 09:56 AM
This is such a great idea, and so easy! I never would have thought of the stiffening spray. Brilliant!
Posted by: Stacey | Jul 20, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Wow...can I have all pf your earrings plz? Haha. So pretty!
Posted by: sally | Jul 20, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Looks great! I did this to store my earrings a couple of years ago, except I just used doilies. Instead of stiffening spray I just pulled the lace really tight, and I didn't glue anything so it wasn't permanent. It worked really well and was totally sturdy without any glue or starch. I didn't want to cut the doilies so I just pinned them in the back. The only reason I stopped using mine was because my cats decided it was fun to pull the earrings out and play with them. Watch out for pesky cats!
Posted by: Rachel | Jul 20, 2011 at 10:10 AM
I bought small, pretty hooks at the hardware store and nailed them into the wall in a staggered pattern above my dresser. I hang my necklaces from those. So easy, cheap, and aesthetically pleasing :) Unfortunately, they are overflowing and necklaces keep falling behind my dresser!
Posted by: erin | Jul 20, 2011 at 11:04 AM
These turned out so perfect! Love! My parents gave me a giant jewelry box for Christmas, but the only thing it doesn't have is a good place for dangly earrings - might have to do this! :)
Posted by: Trude | Jul 20, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Just lovely - i wanted a printer drawer too but instead of buy a finished one from Bluebirdheaven - i got the drawer and did it up myself (http://toxiedesigns.tumblr.com/post/7517271373/my-birthday-gift). Another great idea is to use old picture frames stretched with lace/fabric.
Posted by: ToxieDesigns | Jul 20, 2011 at 01:01 PM
WOW!! Too cool! It's so AWESOME that there are people like you out there that think up the, "How come I never thought of that," stuff of life!! Without your brilliant ideas I'd be one big hot mess!! Going to try to get out this weekend, hopefully I'll be able to get some hoops and give this a try!!
Thanks!!
Posted by: ByYourSide2009 | Jul 20, 2011 at 02:11 PM
so fabulous! such a great idea to use the stiffy glue, now i know what i'm getting next time i'm at joanns!
Posted by: michael ann | Jul 20, 2011 at 05:48 PM
what a fantastic project! i have a hot pink plastic embroidery hoop that would be perfect for this!!
Posted by: Andrea | Jul 20, 2011 at 07:12 PM
Great idea! i hang all my necklaces on a key holder, looks great anf fits heaps.
Posted by: Juliet | Jul 20, 2011 at 08:22 PM
This is such a genius idea! Boyfriend and I are looking for a new place and I'm looking for ideas on how to store my things like this [you know, to keep them boy friendly ie not in a pile on the dresser] and this is GENIUS!
logging away.
x Di
www.icefloe.blogspot.com
Posted by: Dianne | Jul 21, 2011 at 03:36 AM
SUCH a good idea! Too bad I don't wear earrings, haha. I've enjoyed reading a few of your commenter's ideas for displaying/storing necklaces but would love to hear more...so if you come up with anything snazzy please share in another post! :)
-Lisa
Posted by: bein good to me | Jul 21, 2011 at 01:10 PM
I have made these just as wall art, but gosh i just need to break down and make some as earring holders...even though i have something for my earrings already. but this sure is great...i would never have though to spray it with stiffening spray. thanks for that tip.
Posted by: monica | Jul 22, 2011 at 12:00 AM
YAY! So glad you all like it, thanks for the awesome comments!! :)
Posted by: Miss Modish | Jul 22, 2011 at 08:32 AM
Fabulous idea! I have some issues with organization and a lack of space. Your idea addresses both issues. I'm so glad I found your blog. Thanks!
Posted by: Handcrafted jewelry | Jul 22, 2011 at 07:12 PM
Cute! I see fabric stiffener is the key.
Posted by: Jeanee | Jul 29, 2011 at 09:20 PM
Awesome idea. Am onto it stat!
Posted by: Sharon @ Pandamoanium | Aug 04, 2011 at 06:22 AM
Thanks for sharing this great idea! I've posted it on my blog, The Handmade Experiment. http://wp.me/pkcUM-Of Feel free to grab a button if you want to share the link love. Have a great week and I'm glad you had a good birthday!
Emily
Posted by: Emily Maruna | Aug 08, 2011 at 10:14 AM
I am so glad i found your blog. This is just what I need! For necklaces, I bought random vintage frames at the thrift store and nailed thin nails to the inner top edge to hang them from.
Posted by: Jenna | Oct 17, 2011 at 01:44 AM
Oh wow I love this! thank you, just what i needed for my studded earrings!(keeps me from miss placing them!) :)
Posted by: -R.O.L | Nov 13, 2011 at 05:24 AM
I know it's not crafty, but I use a belt hangar to hold my necklaces. It works great since most of mine are pretty long.
Posted by: Stacey | Apr 09, 2012 at 08:44 PM
I bought some inexpensive shelves at Michael's. Painted them multi-colored and then painted black animal print on them (zebra, leopard, and giraffe). Once they're dry, I screwed in some small cup hooks to the bottom of the shelf to hang necklaces on. You can also lay over-sized bracelets and other pieces of jewelry on top of the shelves!
Posted by: Christina | Jun 26, 2012 at 11:47 PM
Oh!!! me encanta la idea... te han quedado super originales y muy vintage!
gracias
karumina
Posted by: Karumina Carmina | Jul 03, 2012 at 09:58 AM
these are just too beautiful! great idea and the materials just make them so pretty :) love it
please also have a look at my idea for diy earring holder: http://whatscraftdoc.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/diy-earrings-holder.html
:)
Posted by: Barbara | Apr 21, 2013 at 03:00 AM