Monday, June 25, 2012

What To Do, What To Do...


I had a problem that was really bugging me.  It took quite a few brainstorming sessions, but in the end, I came up with a solution.

You see, I have a serious obsession love affair with jewelry…and because of this “issue” I have accumulated a whole lot of pretty stuff.  Of course, owning a lot of pretty accessories is not an issue, but storing and organizing them is a whole different story.

This is what I was working with.



Yup, that's all my jewelry thrown into a laundry basket for easy moving.  I needed to lay it all out somewhere so I could sort, purge and organize.  Once I did...this is what I was left with.



I reallyyyy needed to come up with a system that would allow me to see everything.  My normal issue is that if I don't see it, I won't wear it.

So how the heck can I keep all this together, in a compact space, that fits behind our bedroom door?!?!?!  Hmmmmm.

At first I thought I could invest in a pretty curtain rod or towel bar {that didn't look too towel-bar-ish} for all my necklaces.  But most of what I found was 1) too wide, 2) too expensive and 3) wasn't the look I was going for.

After much searching, I finally came across the PERFECT thing!  It was....





...an old paper towel holder!!!!!!!!!  Say whaaaaaaaaaaaat?!?!?!

Yes, I know...I know.  It's not the cutest thing on the block, but I could see the potential.  All it took was a little charcoal gray paint, and BAM!  It was like this was made for my project!  {Plus, it had a built in shelf that would work perfectlyyy to hold the earring display I wanted to make.}


Once I settled on what would hold my 82374298234 necklaces, I got to work on making my earring display.  This part of my jewelry organization was the easiest.  I took an old frame that I had in our former townhouse, removed the glass and backing...painted it a pretty color...added some wire with a couple thumbtacks and a hammer...and taaa-daaaa, an earring holder!  Oh, and some felt and ribbons helped to make things interesting. 

So without further adieu, here is what I came up with.  Btw, my photography skills are HORRIBLE...I wish I could do better than snapping away with my iPhone.  Sorry for the terrible quality. :(  Le sigh....







Have you guys tackled some organizational projects lately?!?!  For less than $10, this thing rocks my world and makes getting ready THAT much easier every morning! :)

38 comments:

  1. what a great solution! i literally just took off my jewelry for the day and thought about how i need to do something with my pile of necklaces, thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. You're welcome! I'm glad you like what I came up with! :)

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  2. How cute!! I never would have guessed that it was a paper towel holder.
    I don't have much jewelry (and what I do have I forget to wear most of the time) but I always wanted to make a cute jewelry display/organizer.
    One question: Does Perny play with your necklaces? I've always been afraid to hang mine because I'm sure my cats would run off with some...

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    1. I know...it was such a random thing to use, but it worked perfectly for what I needed!

      And shockingly, he doesn't even go for it. It might have something to do with the fact that I hung it a little out of his reach...but really, he hasn't had any interest in it. {Hopefully I don't go and jinx myself haha.}

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  3. Great idea!!! I was given a jewelry armoire from my husband's grandmother and although it's wonderful and holds a bajillion items, I don't see what's in there and I'm like you that if I don't see it, I don't wear it. And although I don't have as many necklaces as you (probably close though!), I do have a lot! This is such a great idea! And I love the idea of using the ribbon to hold stud earrings. So clever!

    Speaking of jewelry, do you live by a Cato's? I had heard good things about the store for clothing (cheap, always getting new stuff in... weekly!) but hadn't gone. One day I finally had the time and was without my 3 year old daughter and so I stopped by. The clothing was cute but my new problem is that their jewelry is $4 each! And then they have clearance items... this is dangerous! I bought four pairs of earrings for what it'd cost me to buy some ugly ones at Target for. Plus, I'm pretty sure they're the same brands/styles as more expensive places because some were identical to what I've seen in other stores for four times as much.

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    1. I always dreamed of a nice, big jewelry armoire, but I just haven't been able to hunt one down on CL...and like I mentioned in my post, I like to have everything in front of me. It makes accessorizing a cinch!

      I knew I would need something to hold all of my studs {because I have a ton}, so the ribbon touch just seemed perfect!

      I have never heard of Cato's before. This definitely peaked my interest! I will have to do a google search to see if there is one near me. Thanks for the tip! :)

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  4. Gabbi I love this!!! It's so creative, and it displays all your jewelry in the cutest way!!! Your jewelry is adorable btw! Totally my style. I love that you put your studs on that ribbon. I was in the exact same boat until I found a barely used jewelry armoire on CL! All my stuff used to be in one of those plastic organizers with the 3 little drawers, and it was such a mess!! Way to go on findest such an inexpensive solution!

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    1. Thanks so much, Whitney! I'm glad you like my display andddd my jewelry! :) I always wanted a fancy pant armoire for everything, but I could never come across an inexpensive one that would work for me. At least I finally came up with something to organize all my stuff!!

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  5. Gabbi that is such a great idea! I think i might be stealing that one! It looks great!

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    1. Hi Lesley...thank you! Definitely steal this idea...I'm obsessed! :)

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  6. omg! you impress me each time...you're awesome with creativity!

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  7. That is fabulous! What a great way to show off your collection, and that little corner of the room is the perfect spot.. I feel the need to go jewelry shopping now!

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    1. Thanks Christine! Ahhhh, I'm glad I could inspire a little shopping adventure hehe.

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  8. That came out so cute! I love the two colors together.

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  9. This is amazing!! I love the colours! The ribbon for studs is genius!

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  10. first of all, that's genius with the post earrings on the ribbon. second, great eye to turn this into jewelry storage, and third, where'd you get your couch? have i asked you this before? i am looking for a gray tufted sectional that doesn't break the bank.

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    1. Thank you, thank you!! :) We got our couch from Macy's. It is the Elliot sectional and we couldn't be happier with it! We also got it on sale. {I kept my eye on it for maybe 6 - 8 months to make sure it was the lowest price offered since we had some time to wait before purchasing.} It's very comfy, holds a lot of people and is very durable. I highly recommend it...and all the online reviews for it are positive too! Good luck finding your couch! :)

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  11. This looks so pretty! What a great way to keep everything organized! You're so creative!

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  12. oooo i love this!! I have accumulated a whole bunch of necklaces too, which are currently stuffed inside one of our vanity drawers and are constantly getting tangled in one another. I now need to find an old paper towel holder because this is genius!

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    1. Thanks Lynsday! Get your hands on one...it'll work wonders for your necklaces! :)

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  13. That looks sooooooo good Gabbi! I love it! What a gorgeous collection of jewellery you have!!

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  14. I can't believe I'm late to this post! Anywho I LOVE this Gabbi! And your jewelry collection is fabulous girl :)

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  15. Oh and I just had to do a double take on your sofa. Who is by? It's beautiful!

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    1. Thank you...I loveee my sofa! It's the Elliot sectional from Macy's.

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    2. What color swatch is that? I was looking up this sofa online and the color varies from each example I see. I'm looking for the darker gray, which I believe is Vintage. Is yours Stone?

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    3. Hi Lily! No, my couch isn't stone...it's actually vintage. I hope that helps! :)

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  16. How perfect! My jewelry is a big mess. I have bought some different things to make over, but have yet to finish anything. Thanks for the motivation! Your finished project is so cute =)

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    1. You're welcome! I can't wait to see what you come up with. I love seeing people's solutions for their jewelry storage issues. :)

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  17. oooohhhh, your baubles look so pretty!
    Good jobbie!!!

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