ORGANZING AND STORING YOUR JEWELRY ON A BUDGET

There are so many great shows on T.V. that focus on organizing your space and de-cluttering your home. These same principles can certainly apply to the way your jewellery is stored and organized.

The most practical place to store your jewellery is in a jewellery box. Jewellery boxes are designed to accommodate a variety of jewellery with their compartments, hooks and slits.

Depending on the type and amount of jewellery you have, you may find that a simple/basic box will best suit your needs, or you may require a more elaborate one. Sometimes even the largest jewellery cases are not big enough for some jewellery aficionados.

One of our customers always likes to joke that no jewellery box is large enough for her jewellery collection and that if she ever moved, she would need a U-Haul just for her jewellery.

Many jewellery boxes are very decorative and elegant. While it is very common to place them on your dresser, it also is the most accessible target for a would-be thief . Out of sight, out of mind is a wise idea. Try to find a good hiding place where you can keep your jewellery box. The safekeeping of your jewellery is very important and your fine jewellery should not be exposed. Your home may have never been broken into, but that doesn’t eliminate the fact that people still come into your home and can have slippery fingers.

If you do not have a jewellery case, do you find yourself placing your jewellery on or in your dresser drawer, in this or that, scattered around your home? If you answered yes, then you also risk damaging and misplacing your most treasured valuables.

With some ingenuity and creativity, you can make for yourself or give as a gift jewellery containers and stands to properly store and place jewellery. You might surprise yourself with materials you already have at home, or can purchase inexpensively from a second hand/thrift shop, or your local dollar store.
While expensive jewellery needs to be carefully hidden and kept in a safety deposit box or safe, jewellery that you wear every day, or those pieces that are not as valuable might benefit more from some of these crafty storage creations.

You can display some of your jewellery on a wall like a beautiful picture. If you have a picture frame, especially one with the original hard backing, you could add hooks to it to hang your chains and bracelets. Make sure to place the hooks at different heights.

Another solution would be to mount a cork board on a wall and also add hooks and knob.
Have fun designing the background and exterior with materials such as small seashells, rocks, twigs, sequins and glitter—express yourself, unleash your creativity and have fun!

If you find a wall mount box with drawers and shelves, perhaps an old spice rack or tools box, you could refinish it and add the necessary hardware to customize it to suit your jewellery collection. As well, if it has a small shelf, you could add a small bowl or ashtray to hold a ring or brooch. Backings for the ideas mentioned above could also include wallpaper or a mirror.

Unused drawers could easily convert into a jewellery drawer by lining it with scented drawer paper and then you could put in large deep seashells, crystal coasters or ashtrays and miniature decorative boxes to place your jewellery in.

Many jewellery stores sell soft cloth drawstring pouches for individual pieces of jewellery. You can also find small plastic mini zip-loc bags in which you can store jewellery—available in craft/dollar stores. By storing jewellery in individual bags, it will prevent your jewellery from getting scratched or rubbing against each other.

Other items that you can find within your household include tie rack hooks and key holders for chains, watches, rings and bracelets. A mug holder that has branches can have rings slipped on them.

Now if you really want a fun and challenging project, then take wire clothes hangers and untwist them at the top leaving the semi circular hook intact. Use a plier to straighten the wire stem. You can join a cluster together by either putting them into a glass vase or you can curve the base upward, secure it together with a wire so it can stand freely on its own. Hang your chains and bracelets from it. You can also shape a clothes hanger to resemble a multi-level bee hive, to hook your earrings on to. With both these ideas, you can spray paint, wrap ribbon or wool around the wires.

If you come across a vintage or decorative lamp shade that has a unique shape and design, clean it up and decorate it. Add hooks at the top for your chains, beads and bracelets. It would be a unique center piece on your dresser.

Odd pieces of foam can be cut into any shape and then with an exacto knife you can cut slits so that you can place your rings into them. A decorative box can have a piece of foam fitted in and you have an instant ring box.

A scarf or long piece of ribbon can accommodate European back earrings by pulling the earrings through and then by putting a small knot in between each earring to prevent them from rubbing against each other.

Bubble paper can be rolled up like a jelly roll and you can slide your bangle bracelets through it.
If you want to go green, then find thick and long branches, put the branches in a long vase and fill the vase with decorative rocks or glass for stability. You can display your chains and earrings on the branches.

A fun piece that I have seen for rings is a mannequin hand. You might even be able to make one from clay and decorate it.

Your jewellery can also be stored in acrylic jewellery organizers that are designed to hold specific types of jewellery. Some have a stand with a horizontal tube for bracelets and necklaces, while others are multifunctional with drawers and stands.

You know which pieces of your jewellery are irreplaceable, rare, keepsakes, favourites and valuable and should be kept out of sight. Many of these jewellery organizers can be hidden. A safety deposit box or safe are still the most secure places for storing your precious gems. For your less expensive jewellery or the pieces that you wear every day, have fun in creating some of these very practical jewellery containers and stands. Whether their sophisticated, whimsical, or classic in design, they will be functional, aesthetically attractive and will reflect your personality—as unique as your signature.

Baya

www.eternalfinejewels.rubylane.com

www.artisanjewelshop.com

Creative and Innovative Ways to Gift Wrap Jewelry

Who doesn't love receiving jewellery as a gift? However, if you are the giver and not receiver, I have some suggestions for gift wrapping jewellery that are fun and quite unique, and will certainly put smiles on every one's face.

If you are giving a brooch or pin, attach it to a sweater or scarf. The person receiving it will be so pleasantly surprised to see that they are receiving this beautiful e.g. sweater and then be even more surprised by the complimenting pin.

Why not slip a ring on a pair of gloves. Perhaps the gloves are a part of a hat/scarf set.

If you know someone's favorite brand of wine or champagne, empty the content into another empty bottle, attach a ribbon to a ring or earring, lower it into the bottle and tie the ribbon around the outside of the bottle and wrap it up. When they open it, up, they will be pleasantly surprised--then go fill up your wine/champagne glasses with the reserved drink and have a toast to celebrate.

Coffee lovers will enjoy this one. Empty a canister of coffee beans, slip the jewellery piece in there--make sure the jewellery is in something and refill. Give a complimenting coffee mug with it. This certainly gives a whole new meaning to the expression "coffee never tasted so good"

Take an empty papertowel roll, place the jewellery item in, and place confetti inside and I guarantee there will be a burst of confetti when it is opened.

If you are giving clothing, why not conceal the jewellery item in one of the pockets.

A beautiful plant or fresh cut flowers can conceal jewellery, either by wrapping it within the plant, or actually attaching it to a petal or leaf.

Fill an ice bucket with confetti and place jewellery in it.

For the sweet tooth, slip a ring on a rolled candy and place in a stocking with other candies so it blends in.

You can also slip a piece of jewellery onto a Christmas ornament as a natural part of the tree's decoration, or slip it on to the tree branch directly.

If giving a stuffed animal, add the jewellery to the "Teddy".

This season, let your imagination run wild and have fun coming up with your own creative ideas for wrapping that special piece of jewelry.

Precautions to Take With Your Pearl Jewelry

Your first pearl jewelry, perhaps you received it as a child, or as a young woman, but they have been the building block for your future pearl collection. If you received a pair of pearl stud earrings, you might have added a pearl necklace, bracelet or even a ring over the years. You want them to look as new as the day you first got them.

Maintaining and looking after your pearl jewelry is really quite simple:

• When applying certain sprays, i.e. perfume, hairspray, deodorants—wait for a few minutes before putting on your jewelry. As an example, if you applied perfume and then put your pearl necklace on and the perfume was not completely dry, the iridescence, luster and color of the pearl could be altered and would become dull and lifeless overtime.
• It is highly advised to have your pearl strand restrung every 1-2 years and to have knots between your pearls. If your stand breaks, your pearls will not be scattered all over and by having a knot in between each pearl bead, they avoid scratching against each other.
• It’s best to keep them clean by placing them in mild soapy water and then letting them dry on a towel. If you wear your pearls frequently, wipe them with a soft damp cloth to avoid any kind of chemical build-up.

Any questions, please email me at anytime.

Baya :)

How To Care For Cameo Jewelry

Cameos, which truly are miniature works of art because of their incredible master craftsmanship, are very fragile. They are prone to cracking and discoloration from age, dryness or elements; they must be carefully cared for and stored.

You should dust your cameos every few months with a soft cloth or soft brush. If dust is accumulated over time, it can cause your cameo to get scratched. When dusting your cameo, pay close attention to the deep ridges where dust can accumulate. After dusting it, you can rinse it with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

Once a year, apply a little mineral oil lightly with a cotton swab to the front and back of your SHELL cameo and leave it on for several hours before wiping if off. The mineral oil helps prevent discoloration, change of color and prevents it from becoming dry or cracked.

Any questions, I am a mouse click away :)

How to Care For Your Marcasite Jewelry

The beauty of marcasite stones, which were very popular during the Victorian era, is their grey to almost black color as well as their sparkle and flash in light. Today, you often see marcasites in vintage-inspired jewelry as well as authentic antique/vintage pieces.

Popular combinations for marcasite are hematite and mother mother-of-pearl set in silver or white gold because of their appealing combination.

Since marcasite is commonly set with jeweler’s glue or cement, they should not get wet in order to prevent the stone from getting loose. Remove all marcasite jewelry before engaging in any activity that involves water (shower, bath, washing your hands, swimming, etc.). As well, avoid cleaning marcasite jewelry with any chemical jewelry cleaners, ultrasonic cleaner and steam.

Use a dry soft cloth to clean it. If it is necessary to use a damp cloth, then wipe it gently and dry with an absorbent cloth and leave the jewelry item out for a few hours to guarantee that it is thoroughly dry.

Any questions, please email me at your convenience.

Best to all,
Baya