Before & After, DIY Tutorials, Office Dressing Room, Storage & Organization, Thrifting, Upcycling, Trash Picking

The Window Frame Jewelry Display: New, Improved Design!

In January 2011 I blogged about making a DIY window frame  jewelry display. It was featured on some blogs, like Brooklyn Limestone and Apartment Therapy, but I had no idea that it would basically go viral on Pinterest.  I’ll admit it was pretty neat to be someone who inspired a DIY project trend, rather than a follower, for once. 🙂

So for the last 1.5 years I’ve used my window frame jewelry display, and I’ve loved it.  But in using it I found ways I wanted to tweak the design.

I was given the perfect opportunity to make a “new and improved” frame after our wedding, using the frame that we turned into an escort card display piece.

Window Frame Escort Card Display

Window Frame Escort Card Display for Rustic Beach Wedding

(Please note that part of this was done before the wedding, to turn it into an escort card display.  All I had to do to convert it was remove the little nails from the burlap-covered boards.  I’m writing it here as a full tutorial.)

Rustic Window Frame Jewelry Display

New & Improved Window Frame Jewelry Display Tutorial:

  1. Clean, sand, and paint the frame.
  2. Cut thin plywood boards to fit each window pane space.  (Don’t have power tools?  Foam core board from the craft store could also work if you were gentle with it during the installation.)
  3. Wrap each board in burlap, stapling it to the backs of the boards to keep it in place.
  4. Pop the boards into the frame, gluing the edges or stapling the backs to the frame to hold them in place.
  5. Hammer in two picture hanging loops to the top back corners of the frame so that you can hang it on the wall when you’re done.
  6. Plan out where the knobs should go, then drill holes and screw the knobs into place, adding a little glue to the holes for extra hold.
  7. Plan out which window panes will hold necklaces, then screw white cup hooks into the tops of those window pane spaces.  This is tedious.  It helps if you drill pilot holes using a very tiny drill bit.Necklace Hanging Storage Window Frame Jewelry Display

Congrats, you’re ready to hang your new window frame jewelry display!  Make sure the hooks you install on the wall are strong enough to support the weight.  (I like Ook hooks.)

My necklaces hang perfectly from the cup hooks and old knobs, and the loop earrings hang easily from the burlap.

Hang Earrings From Burlap Window Frame Jewelry Display

But I also wanted to store my earrings with backs, the ones that can’t be looped over the burlap.  I added a Command Clear Container to the middle bottom of the frame.  The clear plastic design blends really well. Inside the container are all my other earrings, organized into little clear plastic containers from The Container Store.

Window Frame Jewelry Storage Command Clear Container

Here are the improvements I made from Version 1:

The earrings hang on burlap instead of wire mesh screening.  Installing the wire mesh screening was the most obnoxious part of the first frame project, and it wasn’t that pretty, either.

Instead of adding dowels down the sides to hold extra bracelets and necklaces, I only used coordinating drawer pulls and glass wine corks. (for real!)  This offers a much cleaner look.  I would like to add a few more near the bottom, but I’m waiting until I find hardware that coordinates well.

Window Frame Jewelry Display with Knobs

I’m absolutely in love with this version of the jewelry storage window frame.  It’s not only useful, it’s a memento from our wedding that has a story behind it – from the beginning of my relationship with Ryan, when he first shook his head at me as I carried it home from the neighbor’s trash.

This version of the jewelry display frame is definitely around for the long haul.  And I’m loving how it looks with the new curtains in my office.  Thanks, by the way, for all the furniture layout suggestions last week. This side is good to go, but I’m going to try some of those suggestions for my desk layout next week.

Window Frame Jewelry Display Upcycle DIY

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16 Comments

  • Reply Jenn@A Home in the Making at 2:49 pm

    What a lovely update! I really like the burlap — alot and the lace is such a sweet touch! 🙂

  • Reply Window Frame Jewelry Display {Tutorial} | The Borrowed Abode: Apartment and small space decorating tips for renters and homeowners. at 9:16 am

    […] Update:  Like this project?  Then you’ll definitely want to check out my new-and-improved version here! […]

  • Reply Michelle at 9:58 pm

    I love how you’ve re-invented this window frame several times now. And now I’m on the hunt for that command strip container.

  • Reply Check It Out & Win: New Command Clear Adhesive Organizers | The Borrowed Abode: Adventures in decorating a rental home. at 8:11 am

    […] attached the shallow, wide trough to the bottom of my new jewelry organizer window frame, where it now corrals all my earrings that don’t have […]

  • Reply Wholesale bows for hair, wholesale tutus, fairy wings, hair clips at 11:02 am

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  • Reply Lori at 1:28 pm

    I absolutely LOVE what you’ve done with the design!! So much so that ( not being able to find an old window frame) I took a hammer and beat an old palle apart to make one…. Ok- 2!
    Not being able to find a small amount of burlap and not wanting to find storage for the leftover roll I went to the dollar store to seek inspiration. I bought foam board and
    ( drumroll please) mesh laundry bags!!! They come in all colors and are easy to cut ,glue and staple!!!
    Thank you once again for your creativity!!
    Lori N

    • Reply Jane at 11:10 am

      Hi Lori – Thanks so much! That sounds like you created a totally awesome one. And I love the idea for the mesh laundry bags!!

  • Reply Window Turned Jewelry Storage and Display at 1:39 pm

    […] did a second take on this! For a more rustic look check out this design! Of course, she gives us a how to as well. Thanks […]

  • Reply My Office / Dressing Room: Finished!!The Borrowed Abode | The Borrowed Abode at 8:39 am

    […] that I had to fight for in the clearance section of Pier One (years ago) and then of course my window frame jewelry display, which continues to be one of the most useful items I ever […]

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    […] Window frame jewelry display […]

  • Reply ROSE woy at 1:34 pm

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS!
    If you hot glue a piece of lace hanging down (behind and along the bottom of the frame from side to side) you won’t need a plastic container for your post earrings. Just put posts through the lace. Looks beautiful also and works great!

    • Reply Jane at 8:23 pm

      That’s a great idea, thanks!

  • Reply Practical and Pleasing Jewelry Display at 8:30 pm

    […] Do you have trouble finding the blue earrings that go with that amazing blue dress? Jane from the Borrowed Abode, shares her practical, versatile, and economical jewelry […]

  • Reply 15 Creative Ways to Use Old Windows in Your Home - Messy Makes Perfect at 1:11 pm

    […] shows us how to create a functional jewelry holder out of an old window over on The Borrowed Abode. Equipped with knobs and hooks, this jewelry holder […]

  • Reply 37 Creative Ways To Make Things From Old Windows - Diy at 3:06 pm

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