ScrapHappy November 2024 — A Quick and Easy Jewelry Display Project
I have quite a collection of old costume jewelry, and over the years I have seen some lovely ideas about displaying it. People will mount these old earrings and brooches in a shadow box in the shape of a Christmas tree, or a high heeled shoe, and the best one I ever saw was in the shape of a bird of paradise with a long sweeping tail. I have always wanted to do something similar, but I wanted to be able to get to the pieces easily and remove them to wear; I didn’t want to glue the pieces in, or even stitch them.
This week I bought two styrofoam wreaths at a dollar store. The first one I wrapped first with a layer of batting scraps, and then with this long piece of crochet that had graced a sheet, and that I had painted with diluted Setacolor paints.
Wreath wrapped with a painted crocheted edging.
And then I had fun pulling out all my most glittery pieces, and clipping or pinning them to the cloth strips.
The wreath festooned with vintage jewelry pieces.
For the second one, I wrapped it in strips from a very old cream-colored wool blanket, and then added more crocheted edgings from old pillowcases. Then I placed the jewelry pieces that are in more neutral colors — ivory, Bakelite, old stone mosaics, cameos. At the top is an old teething ring/rattle.
Wreath with more understated jewelry.
I love both of these pieces. It is so nice to have the jewelry out where I can see it, instead of hidden away in a drawer. I can see myself making more of these (because, yes, I have even more jewelry!) — maybe one in plaid, with our old fishing lures hung on it, or one with old vacation souvenirs as decorations!
ScrapHappy Day, the 15th of each month, was originated by Kate and Gun, the first two names in the list below. We are always celebrating the use of scraps, even if we don’t post every single month. You can visit the others to see what scrap-happiness they have come up with this month!
Kate, Gun, Eva, Sue, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Tracy,
Jan, Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys,
Claire, Jean, Dawn, Gwen,
Sunny, Kjerstin, Sue L, Vera,
Ann, Dawn 2, Carol, Preeti,
Nóilin, Viv, Karrin, Amo, Alissa,
Tierney and Hannah
I have some of my jewelry hanging on a cork board. Pretty boring compared to your wreaths!
I could definitely use a cork board for the earrings I wear daily!
I love your wreaths… a great idea. I have quite a collection also, of several different styles. Many have been passed on from deceased relatives and friends.
Yes, it is nice to look at the pieces and remember their original owners. 🙂
Such a fun idea!!!
These wreaths are just fabulous, and how lovely for the pieces of jewellery to see the light of day and show themselves off! I’m still struggling to come up with a plan to display/store my much humbler bits so they remain both usable and untangled. You’ve inspired me to give it more thought.
Thanks, Kate! I do feel like the jewelry pieces are saying, ahh, we can breathe! 🙂
Exactly!
That’s genius. I am always looking for a way to display at fairs (I don’t keep my shinies out on a day to day basis coz of tarnishing)
Yay, Dawn, I am happy if this idea will be useful to you and your beautiful jewelry!
I can’t promise I’ll get one made, but I love the idea
Clever project.
That is a brilliant idea!
Some of the jewelry is pretty brilliant. 🙂 This way I can enjoy it without blinding my more conservative friends and neighbors.
I love these wreaths! And I’m going to have to remember them because I’ve got lots of vintage jewelry that I’ve inherited from my mom and both Grandmothers. I’m thinking I need to make one for myself.
Thanks! If you make one, let me know! I would love to see other versions.
What a great idea! And, of course, your wreaths are beautiful!
Thanks, Maddie! It is always nice to find a way to showcase some of the pretty odds and ends that seem to multiply around here. 🙂
great idea, they look wonderful and I bet you will wear the pieces more often when you can see them and pick something quickly and easily.
Thank you, Jean, I think you are right. Most of the time I never think to wear any of these, but with them out in the open, I will think to wear one on just an ordinary day. 🙂
Those look great! Did you have any problems getting the clip-on pieces to stay snug enough without pulling the fabric loose?
No, I have some dressmaker pins pinned in in various spots to hold the underlying fabric in place. I had to play around with the earrings — those with screw backs didn’t work well because they wouldn’t stay facing front, and some of the clip-ons were too loose, so I just picked the ones that worked. 🙂
The wreath you’ve created is the perfect display. I love the rainbow of colors as well. Nice!
I love the idea, your wreaths look amazing – I love the teething rattle!
What a fun wreath idea and great use of scraps!
What a fun way to show off your bling. Alas, today’s fashions don’t present many opportunities to display such treasures.
Yes, and where I live, only the chickens and dogs see me on most days, so I don’t get to wear them often. But I do wear quite a few to Christmas parties!
Pingback: Creative Juice #422 | ARHtistic License
These are wonderful decorations and I really like the way you remove your jewellery for wearing 🙂
That was fun!
Pingback: The Endeavourers’ Reveal Day — Mosaic | Deep in the Heart of Textiles