UPCYCLE: Jewelry Hanger

Let's see. Where do I begin with this story. This is more of an unintentional upcycle. 

I wanted a jewelry hanger for a while. I have a rather large jewelry box, but some earrings and necklaces are just too pretty to hide. Also, I tend to forget about some of the jewelry I own, and keeping some of it out helps remember me to use all it. Maybe that doesn't make sense to you and you think I am crazy, or you totally understand and do the same thing.

Originally, I had a plan to make one out of a radiator cover (like the one below). I would still be pursuing this design if this other idea hadn't had fallen into my lap.

What is this other idea, you say?  An ironing board. Yes, I know, weird. Let me explain.
Since we have a tiny apartment, I use a miniature, tabletop ironing board. However, I rarely use it on a table, and just set it up on the floor. The ironing board was just hanging out on the floor, minding its own business, when Tom (my husband) someone who will remain unnamed stepped on it. This left it bent and warped, causing it to no longer be able to live out its life long purpose of being an ironing board.

Being the crafty person I am, I took the cover off of the ironing board, before throwing it away, to keep as a pattern incase I want to make my own someday. When I removed it, I found this....(see below)...

...and I thought, huh, bet I could hang earrings on this! I did want to enhance it some how so it looked a tad less like an ironing board, but I really didn't mind the fact that it looked like one. My first idea was to paint a trendy arrow on it, but eventually I decided on a geometric herringbone pattern. Which, in retrospect, was a very good idea because the arrow probably would't have shown up that well. 

I started off by taping the pattern I wanted, starting with just one side. To make things easy, I taped along the pattern in the metal. This made all my lines exactly the same width.

Then, I got out my favorite miniature sponge roller, and some bright green paint (left over from painting my dressers).

 I painted all the way down putting on an even coat, while staying in the lines. Before the paint dried, I peeled off the tape.

I wanted to reuse the tape for the next side, so I just stuck it to the side of my table and let it hang off. Then, I let the paint dry completely. 

I placed the same tape in the herringbone pattern opposite of the first side, and painted.

I peeled the tape off, and was left with this awesome pattern. It was at this point that I was glad I decided not to do the arrow, because it wouldn't have shown up. The herringbone pattern barely shows up as it is. 

I also added this little set of hooks. I found these in the home-organization section at Fred Meyer (you could probably find them at Target or Walmart for all you non-west coasters). It was intended for hanging keys, but I thought it would work perfect for necklaces. It also added a little pizazz. I had to use a drill to open the holes a little more, and attached it to the ironing board with nuts and bolts.

I rearranged my room a bit for the perfect spot to hang it up. I added a couple of 'S' hooks at the top to hang some of my longer necklaces.

Just incase any of you were wondering about the other doo-dads on my dresser...here are some detail pics.

The Hand: given to me by my sister, Beth. Usually has more rings on it, but I just haven't been into rings lately. Holds a bracelet, from my sister Michelle, with my monogram on it, a keychain that belonged to my grandmother (Woo woo), and a vintage sweater clip my mom got me for when we searching for brooches. The double bowl dish I got from GoodWill for for a $1. I keep smaller stud earrings in this. The pitcher belonged to my great grandmother. I like to keep it somewhere I'll see it everyday. 

On the other side: The tony dress form was my moms. She was getting rid of it, so I inherited it. I keep my more delicate necklaces on it. I got both the silver tray ($1) and dish ($3) from GoodWill. Score! I keep other small items here (like bobby pins, hair clips, safety pins, etc). The angel was given to me from a dear friend, Alicia. It daily reminds me of one of my favorite verses: 

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Philippians 2:14-16

Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

Laterbug, Caiterbug.