Apparently I am a jewelry hoarder…I have an inordinate amount of colorful necklaces and earrings for just about every outfit (and then some!). To me, a great necklace and pair of earrings are like the cherry on top of a sundae of an ensemble.
If you remember, I’ve already found a way to wrangle in my necklaces using about $10 worth of supplies.
It was my mission this past weekend to do the same thing with my vast earring collection.
After a quick trip downtown to a thrift shop, I came away with all I needed:
- An old (but rust-free) window screen – $2.00
- A back-less wooden frame – $2.00
I also went out to Lowe’s and picked up a $20.00 staple gun, but I don’t really count that as part of the total for this project since it can be used for many many projects down the road…Let’s just say I used about a $1.00′s worth of that cost on this project.
My mom’s going to be jealous when she sees this – I bought the kind where you push on the FRONT of the gun to fire the staple. I think she’s had the same issues that I have with the old kind where you push on the back to fire the staple out the front end. It’s frustrating having to try not to rear the staple gun back too far when you fire it so that the staple actually catches on the material.
You can borrow it any time, mom 
First thing I did was my always-scientific manner of getting measurements – i.e. stab the screen with scissors somewhere to start the cutting and then hold the frame up to the screen, eyeball it and start cutting out a rectangle about the size of the frame.
But, hey – It worked!
Granted, I had to do some trimming when I got the piece of screen out and placed inside the back of my frame…But it was pretty simple to cut it to fit perfectly. I found that you can even get super straight cuts just by following the line of tiny squares in the wire mesh.
Oh, and make sure you clean your wire mesh with alcohol before actually adhering it to the frame…Whether you bought a used or new screen, it’s good to give it a thorough wipe/pat down to keep your jewelry nice and sterile. Just look at all the gunk that came off on the paper towel!
After getting the screen cut to fit and all clean, I loaded my staple gun and gleefully shot a staple into the frame.
Alas, this happened…
(sorry the picture is so blurry…I was upset)
The force of the staple snapped the wood of the frame (which was pretty old…) and the staple didn’t even go all the way in!
So on to Plan B (which I didn’t really have since I was counting on my sparkly, new, state-of-the-art staple gun). When all else fails, use hot glue!
Out came my mini hot glue gun:
I should probably upgrade sometime soon to a regular size hot glue gun, but I’ve had this mini version for YEARS. Other then going through glue sticks quickly because they ARE in fact “mini”, its fabulous and gets the job done!
Happily, this new (unplanned) plan worked like a charm
I lifted the edge of the screen mesh, put a line of glue down on the backing lip of the frame and pushed the mesh down into the too-warm-for fingertips glue using a fork.
I also put a line of hot glue on top of the mesh that had been glued from beneath just to make sure it was really stuck. Yummy glue sandwich!
Sure, it’s not pretty from the back! But it looks clean from the front – So I am satisfied. And I trust that the hot glue is strong enough to last through use. All it needs to be able to hold is a feathery-light collection of beaded and metal earrings after all. Mini hot glue gun comes to the rescue yet again!
So up to the master bathroom we went! I decided to move the necklace-holding frame to the longer wall so that the two can be a pair. Miraculously, the frames were the EXACT same size – Still blows me away that that happened. It wasn’t intentional, but definitely a happy mistake.
So here they are together – One happy bling-y couple.
Not so sure about the black hanging wire seen through the wire mesh though…I may switch it out for clear fishing line. Or I might just drill through the frame and screw it into the wall. Don’t really like the fact that I am going to constantly have to straighten it when I move the earrings around. I’ll keep you posted!
UPDATE: I finally fixed the black wire and wobbling issue – Check out my solution here!
Some more details:
And in case you were wondering, this is about 1/8 of my full collection…It will be quite full when all is said and done. May need to make another framed organizer!
It’s amazing what $5.00 (and a little trial and error) can get you
ANOTHER UPDATE (as of 7/29/11): Here’s the other 7/8 of my collection after I finished the big move!!
I love how you can get pretty wall art just by hanging your earrings in plain view
Hope you enjoyed!
That’s a smart idea to use a window screen! Gotta add that to my list of things to look out for when I am thrift store shopping
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Glad you like it! You kind of have to hunt for them, but if you find one it’s GREAT to work with. And thanks for making your way over to our blog as well
I enjoyed yours!
Hey, don’t know if anyone has mentioned this, but you don’t need to buy an old screen window. You can buy rolls of screen at home improvement stores [like Home Depot], and it’s really, really cheap. I’ve made a few of these over the years and they’re great! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome!! Had never thought if that. Thanks for saving us all some trouble and money!
instead of using the wire, I would suggest mounting a couple of picture frame hook to the top of the frame. Then you don’t have to screw it into the wall–and then you wouldn’t see the wire. You can find them pretty cheap at a hardware store! I think I actually bought mine at a dollar store!
Awesome! Thanks for the tip!!
Great idea using the window screen.
I used ActivWire Mesh from the local hobby store but I think your idea is better.
Thanks!
Well thanks! Glad you like it =)
This is such a cute idea! I have to admit though… I found myself paying more attention to your actual earrings on the frame (and clever captions lol) than the project itself! You have the cutest earrings! Where do you shop?? (The dangle beads ones on the top are my favorite hehe)
Haha, you’re so sweet! I looovvvveeee to shop for earrings at Forever 21. They are so cheap, super whimsical and cute! I also get a lot of them from New York & Company – They have great sales. Glad you like them!
I just made some of these in assorted sizes and I painted the frames in fun colors. I used a roll of screen from the hardware store and painted white swirls all over it with acrylic paint. I use them as a jewelry display at Craft Shows. They are light weight and easy to travel with all loaded up with earrings and such. I LOVE how they look….shabby chic!
What a fun idea! I love the idea of painting them
I love these. I’ve been working on some for an upcoming craft shows for my jewelry too! So excited. You can also put some pretty wallpaper or paper on a backing board and place it behind the frame – then put the glass handles on there. It looks decorative and is very useful.
Great tip! I love the idea to use pretty wallpaper =) Thanks for sharing and for stopping by!
Hi, I am one of your readers that joined the bandwagon after you guys got featured. Just want to say, I am trying my best to re-decorate my room after ten years (?) of living in it and IDK why only now am I making the room feel mine. I love a lot of your ideas, and really really wanted to try them. For accessories, I hang them in 2 metal wire grids joint by those metal wire cord things you use to keep wire tidy. I am also making use of a small portion of my wall to hang frames of my works, portions of written stories or art-pieces, and well, that’s abt the most I could afford it being a teeny meeny room.
I’m so glad that you found us!!! I definitely agree that getting a room to be JUST RIGHT takes time…Sounds like you are doing an excellent job and making the most of your space, time and money! Keep up the good work =)
Thank you! I learnt to like my room after the re-decoration that started from waking up and shifting the furniture around (only the two bookshelves and wardrobe didn’t get the push… the bed, the study-table-cum-shelve, second table and the cabinet all suffered) Because I can’t wait for my friends to come to my house any minute longer to start moving things around. Still, things are messy here, with my organisation skills sorely in lack. Will work hard on it though.
Isn’t it amazing how just moving some furniture around can change an entire room??! And love the “free” price tag…Good luck with your organization – You’ll feel SO good when you’re done!
This is awesome! I’m planning on doing this probably this week, but I’m just curious, what did you do with all of your stud earrings? I have about a 50/50 ratio of studs/dangly earrings so I don’t want to leave all the studs in a plain jewelry box after making a cute little organizer for the dangly ones!
Thanks! Glad you like it =) I actually keep all of the studs in a little wooden box with drawers that I bought at a craft shop and then painted in my favorite shade of green – I adore it! Each drawer is color-themed of course
You can glimpse this stud keeper in this post: http://dreamgreendiy.com/2011/12/07/dream-green-bathroom-revealed/
Fantastic! I HAVE to make this soon!!!! I’m thinking of combining your necklace and earring idea somehow….but this is WAY better than buying one of those goofy little metal ones to sit on a desk
Glad that you like it! Send us a picture if you find a way to combine them!! I know readers would love to see that. Thanks!
omg. i am in love with every single one of your earrings. lol, but i love the project; i’ll be on it when i pick up my tips from work
much happiness, alysha
Aww thank you! Definitely try it out – So easy and really affordable =)
What an imagination you have! So crafty and inexpensive too! I’m definitely going thrift shopping soon to look for just those items. This will help me a great deal. I will have to let you know how it turns out. Ciao! Peyaloni
I’m so glad you liked the post and project! Please DO let me know how it turns out =)
How did you make the one for the necklaces?
Find out here: http://dreamgreendiy.com/2011/03/29/diy-framed-necklace-organizer/ – Thanks for your interest!
Great tutorial for earrings display. Gonna make one for my next fair.
Awesome! Thanks!!