Operation DIY: Jewelry Organizer

May 7, 2016 / Decorate, Create, DIY

There's nothing more annoying than digging in a drawer for your favorite necklace, only to find it wrapped up like a ball of yarn with other necklaces, your bumblebee bangle and your prized statement ring. Then you have to forget it, because you're late and you don't have a chance of untangling it in time so you feel naked all day. Meanwhile, your lovely necklace lies in the drawer, now struggling with abandonment issues on top of being tangled. Sigh.

Store bought earring trees, jewel boxes, stackable trays, yadda yadda yadda. All jewelry organizers are not created equal. Sometimes you want a solution that's just for you, by you. You know what they say… if you want jewelry storage done right, you gotta do it yourself. And the best news? You don't have to be a handyman to pull off this DIY. So, grab your supplies and get ready to kiss accessory disarray goodbye!.

You'll need:

• Picture Frame(s) – wood or upcycled wood fibers (not metal or plastic)
• Cup Hooks & Screw Eyes (sometimes called “eye hooks”)
• 2 D-Rings per Frame charge!)
• 2 Adhesive Felt or Silicone Bumpers per Frame (optional)

Helpful tools that you have around the house:

• Drill and small wood bit (the bit should be a little smaller than the threaded part of the screw eyes and cup hooks)
• Small Pliers
• Measuring Tape or Ruler
• Pencil
• Level (optional)
• Hammer
• 2 nails

Step 1: Choose Your Frame

Use one large frame or a group of frames. It is your vision! Keep it simple, or use a cluster of frames to accommodate your collection – whatever feels the most right for you!.

For the display pictured, we used a custom rustic wood picture frame.

Step 2: “X” Marks the Spot

Using your tape measure and pencil, lightly mark on the frame every 1/2" or 1," (depending on how far apart you want your jewelry to hang). We did half of the frame with 1″ spacing and the rest at 1/2". Keep your jewelry collection in mind: larger, chunkier pieces will need more space.

Be creative with your hook placement. Set them in straight lines, stagger them for a looser, more organic look. Just make sure your hooks make it easier to access and remove your jewelry. That's why we're doing this, after all.

Make another set of marks along the bottom edge of the frame. This is where you'll put the screw eyes, for hanging earrings.

Step 3: Pre-drilling Makes Perfect

Pre-drill starter holes along your penciled markings. Frame too small to get the best angle with your drill?. A ballpoint pen will work on soft wood, in a pinch.

Step 4: Twist Cup Hooks and Screw Eyes into the Pre-drilled Starter Holes

Use a pair of pliers to twist cup hooks and screw eyes in all the way. Make sure that the cup hooks are facing the front of the frame. Screw eyes should face sideways, forming an “O” when seen from the front.This gives you easy access to your earrings.

Step 5: Install Your Hanging Hardware on the Back

Use a ruler to mark where the d rings will be placed. We want your masterpiece hung evenly right? Then position them about 1/3 of the way down from the top of the frame. Make sure to place D-rings so the loop parts point toward the top of the frame. And don't worry, we finish the back of the frame with felt or silicone bumpers at the bottom corners, to prevent the frame from marking your walls or slipping.

If you chose to upcycle an old frame with existing hanging hardware you might need to remove the old hardware and install new hardware. Definitely remove the hanging wire. (It'll be visible without art filling the frame).

Step 6: Hang it.

Position the two nails in the wall level with the hardware on the frame. Drive one nail at the height you want the frame, then hang one side of the frame from that nail. Supporting the unsecured side of the frame (this is the part where having a friend to help will come in handy), mark the location for the second nail. Use a level across the top of the frame to ensure your placement is just right – with this installation, you won't be able to adjust the frame after hanging, like you can with hanging wire. Drive the second nail and finish hanging your jewelry organizer.

Step 7: Admire Your Handiwork

Arrange your jewelry by color, from longest to shortest for a waterfall effect or leave it up to chance. Then, sit back and admire your lovely, homemade jewelry display, not to mention the amazing feeling of being organized!

Step 8: #Brag A Bit

Now show us your handiwork! Share a picture of your gorgeous, new jewelry organizer on social media to be awed and coveted by your friends and family! And don't forget to include the hashtag #FramingJoy so we can find it and awe in wonderment as well!