The idea for this article came from a good friend, Keirsten. She makes beautiful jewelry and sells it in her ArtFire shop. In the very, er, special way that she has, she requested that I do an article on recycled, repurposed, and upcycled jewelry displays. I’m certainly not one to turn down a fan!

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has noticed that jewelry seems to be the majority of the handmade world. I’m pretty sure that if you went to some kind of event (craft show, art fair, etc.) where you had to display your jewelry, tossing all your stuff into your harvest green 1970’s Tupperware dish would not be a very effective way to display your pieces. So this seemed to me to be something that would hold large appeal for a large amount of people. Otherwise I wouldn’t have done it, no matter what Keirsten said!

I was afraid that it would be a little difficult to find ideas on this front, but when I started my research I was pleasantly surprised with the wealth of information. The more ideas I found, the more I thought of my own (mainly because I’m a genius). So here’s a collection of things I’ve found and things I thought of all by my lonesome.

At Naughty Secretary Club, you can find a whole bunch of ideas. One of my favorites from this page is the suitcase display. Just take an old suitcase and stretch ribbon across the two sides, and voila, display and transport! I’m picturing one of the old plastic, uniquely colored Samsonites…She’s also got picture examples of a belt display, using high heels to hang necklaces, and how to make an old record into an earring holder.

One of the ideas I found that I loved the most was at Justatish Designs. She shows how old shutters can be used as a really, really awesome display.

I love drawer pulls and cabinet knobs. They’re shiny and pretty. How much more could you want? At Laughing Daisies, there’s a step-by-step guide on making a really cute display using a cutlery tray and knobs or pulls. This guide suggests using scrapbook paper, but you could also use wallpaper, paint, or fabric to back your display.

Another one of my favorites is found at GreenSpace Goods. They used a decorative post with hooks to hang necklaces on. This could be a really rustic looking piece if you found just the right old wooden piece! They’ve also included an example on how to use an old spice rack to display your jewelry.

For those of you who really want something simple that you’re sure to have lying around, you can find a few cardboard display ideas at Jewelry Display Ideas and Home Jewelry Business Success Tips. One is just a simple covered cardboard rectangle stand and one includes a pattern that you can use to cut a neck shaped display. I was thinking it would be cool to use the pocket part of some old jeans or pants to stretch across the cardboard. Then you could hang your items from the edge of the pocket.

A lot of places had ideas on how to use old picture frames to display jewelry, but my favorite was at Centsational Girl. She gives a step-by-step guide and uses extras like hooks and fabric to spice up a common design. Instead of using screening for the middle, you could stretch ribbon across the frame and attach it on the back, use lace in place of screen, or run necklace chains across the frame. For a more rustic look, find some older nails and hammer them into the side instead of the hooks.

Now for my undeniably wonderful ideas; drum roll please. I was thinking that you could use a lamp shade to hang earrings on. You could sit it on a plain pole or use an actual lamp. The light behind the jewelry would look incredible!

If you have any cool, older, hardback books, you can stand those up and hang earrings off the top. If you want to hang bracelets or necklaces, find some of those mini S-hooks and attach one end to the book and the other to your jewelry.

You can always use any kind of bucket, glass, vase, candle holder, or something like an old watering can to hang things on. Find something that matches your jewelry’s style. For a more natural look, go outside and find some twigs. Then get a vase or glass and fill it with sand, rocks, or marbles. Stick the twigs into the vase to make a little mini jewelry tree. If you have an old stereo that doesn’t work, use the speakers to hang earrings on. Bamboo shades and placemats also make a great place to display your items.

There seems to be jewelry displaying potential in just about everything! Be creative, be kind to the environment, and save some money! There are no losers here.

Necklace Holder Photograph Courtesy of:  Laughing Daises
Earring Frame Photograph Courtesy of:  Centsational Girl