DIY Jewelry Organization

Another craft to share-- and this time, it actually serves a purpose. For about the last 6 months my collection of jewelry has been strewn in and around the area of Boyfriend's desk, which is probably fairly annoying for him and means that I never actually wear any of it because I can't find anything. Time to change that!

Originally, I wanted to make a large picture-frame jewelry display like this, but I couldn't find a frame that I liked, and doing projects that involve wire-mesh is difficult when you don't have a hardware store nearby (or a car). Plus, as has been mentioned previously, I am really impatient.

So I proceeded using materials that I had on hand.

Cost: $5.60 (3 wooden craft picture frames for $1/each, 2 packages of "cup hooks" for $1.30/each)

Rating: Excellent. I am kind of obsessed with these.

Comments: I actually already had these frames for some unknown past project that never materialized. The "cup hooks" were really cheap (each package had 6) and they worked fabulously. I covered the frames with some origami paper using ModPodge, then screwed the hooks in. I attached them to the wall using Command Strips (I am increasingly becoming a fan of these guys, especially after reading this blog...girl uses 'em for everything.)

Materials:

Finished product:

 

On my wall: 

And with my jewelry!

Salt Dough Jewelry

Hello craftsters!

Over the holidays my friend Lindsey and I decided to release some of our pent up craftiness. Result? Salt dough. I'm sure some of you may have made a variation of this sometime in your summer camp pasts. Unfortunately I don't actually have a link to a website, as the pin I used as inspiration on Pinterest links to a random blog with no mention of salt dough. Such is life.

Here's the recipe we used:

"salt dough - 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, cold water. Mix until has consistency of play dough. bake at 250 for 2 hours, then cool and paint."

And here is a sample of what I made:

I realized after taking this photo that it's a little difficult to tell what the bracelet is, so here is my debut as a hand/arm model:

Salt Dough Jewelry

Cost: Free (we had all the necessary ingredients, and I have a LOT of random jewelry making supplies)

Rating: Pretty good

Comments: With some practice, I feel like you could make some pretty cool stuff with this. Our first attempt turned out fairly decently, but we definitely ended up with good amount of really ugly unidentifiable pieces. My first tip would be to cut this recipe at least in half (maybe more). We had SO MUCH salt dough. It was ridiculous. Also, make sure you add the water VERY slowly and keep the mixture fairly dry (like the instructions say, similar to Play Dough... which is pretty dry and grainy if you haven't had a Play Dough experience in a while). If you add too much water it'll be sticky and unmanageable. Last tip: the dough rises a bit while baking, so make all holes a little larger than you think you need or they will all close up.

Overall, I think this has potential, and could probably work to make fingerprints/paw prints/other prints crafts.