How to Find a Sweet Sixteen DJ for Your Daughter

You've just inherited your great grandmother's jewelry. Or perhaps you found an amazing deal on antique jewelry at an estate sale. Maybe you have a collection stuffed away in a drawer. Don't hide your beautiful pieces in a jewelry box or a drawer. You can enjoy them when you're not wearing them as much as you do when you are wearing them if you store them right. Get your creative juices flowing and create a unique antiques or jewelry storage display.

You don't have to be a crafting diva or break the bank for these three projects. You might have the materials you need at home. If not, most of them can be purchased at your local thrift store.

Teacups and Saucers

Vintage teacups and matching saucers make beautiful storage for antique jewelry and preparing them for that use is quick and easy. You will need 1 or 2 teacups and saucers and some epoxy or craft adhesive. Glue the teacup to the saucer and let it dry thoroughly before putting your jewelry on it. If you want to create a 2 layer display glue the second saucer to the top of the teacup and glue the second teacup on top of that saucer.

You can store earrings or rings inside the teacup and lay bracelets and brooches around on the saucer.

Vintage Wooden Hangers

Create a display for your necklaces using a vintage wooden coat hanger. You will want to find a hanger (or two if you have a large collection) that is at least 1/2 inch wide. This will allow you to screw in the c-hooks for hanging your necklaces on. You will need 10 to 12 medium sized c-hooks. Starting in the center of the hanger, make a mark on the bottom of the hanger every 3/4 to 1 inch until you reach the end. Repeat on the other side of the hanger. Use a drill to make small starter holes at each of your marks. Screw a c-hooks into each hole. Hang your necklaces on the hooks and enjoy seeing them everyday.

To add more interest to this piece hang it on a vintage drawer pull or door knob that you have screwed into the wall.

Antique Glass Bottles

Gather a collection of antique glass bottles. Choose a variety of heights, widths, and shapes. They should be at least 6 inches tall to accommodate the length of your necklaces. You can use all clear bottles or mix in some colored ones, but make sure you have a few clear ones in your collection.

Choose a few of the clear bottles to put pictures in. It will be easier to get the pictures inside the bottles if they have a 1 inch or wider opening. Select some pictures of your female ancestors. You will need one picture for each bottle you have chosen. You could also use pictures of early period actresses. Print wallet size pictures in black and white or sepia tone. You may want to print them on vellum paper for a softer appearance. Curve the pictures slightly and insert them into the bottles. They will straighten out once they are inside. Tilt the bottle around until the picture is in the position that you want it. Line up your bottles on a shelf or your dresser and drape your necklaces over the necks. If you need to add height for the necklaces to hang properly place small decorative boxes under some of the bottles.

Using vintage teacups, hangers, and bottles to display your antique jewelry is not only a clever way to store it; it's a way to create artistic displays you can enjoy every day.