We wear jewelry to add color and style to our look. So, why not display it like artwork? It solves the issue of pieces getting tangled together and lost in the shuffle. It sure makes things easier when picking out what jewelry to wear for the day. (And with the holidays right around the corner, it makes a great, personal gift for the jewelry lover in your life!)
A display frame serves as a great alternative to the traditional jewelry box or tree and is really quite simple to put together once you have the frame and sheet metal. You can find inexpensive frames at thrift stores like Goodwill. Only a few other supplies are necessary to complete this D.I.Y. jewelry display frame.
SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED:
> large wooden frame, 11″ x 14″ (or any size you wish)
> Martha Stewart antique-effect paint medium (optional)
> perforated sheet metal (available at Home Depot in a variety of patterns & finishes)
> scissors (sturdy enough to cut sheet metal)
> cup hooks, 5/8″
> drill & drill bit (for cup hooks)
> strong bonding glue (GOOP works great)
Before, all my jewelry hung on a jewelry tree, which quickly got cluttered, leaving some pieces hidden & then forgotten about — out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, this DIY is the perfect solution. Now, I can display my jewelry in a variety of ways – and it doubles as wall art that is also functional.
(1) Start by removing the glass and backing from the frame
(2) Brush on a few coats of paint until you reach desired look — I used three coats
(3) Using strong scissors, cut the sheet metal down to size — use the frame insert as a guide to measure as you cut (or you can trace the proper size before cutting)
(4) If you want hooks to hang necklaces, it helps to use a drill to get the cup hooks in without splitting the wood
Depending on the frame, you may be able to use the fasteners on the frame to hold the sheet metal in place. In this case, the fasteners were part of the frame backing, so I used glue to keep the sheet metal in place. You may also use tape, staples…whatever works, just as long as it’s not visible from the front.
(5) Apply GOOP adhesive along the back ledge of the frame. I used a toothpick to spread it into the corners because this glue is very thick
(6) Lay your cut sheet metal into place and with your fingers (with gloves on) lightly push the metal down along the back ledge to ensure it lays flat and the glue adheres to all edges – allow at least an hour to dry completely
DONE!
This simple and easy project can be altered to suit just about anyone, of any age — and used for different purposes other than jewelry. With options of different paint colors and frame sizes, let your imagination run wild!
