She's Crafty...

I have so many papers to grade, and so many poems to critique, but my more hands-on creative side is in high swing and I couldn't step away from all these projects I've been dreaming up. The first is an earring holder.



I stained a plain wooden frame (size depends on your "dangley" earring collection. You can use a pencil and ruler to easily mark the distance between wires and I used the smallest sized eyelet screws at Lowe's that I could find.



Some of my earrings are very heavy so I used picture hanging wire but I wanted it too be thin so I suggest no wire thicker than a 12 pound weight limit. To create holes for the screws use a thin tipped nail and hammer to press a place keeping hole over your pencil marks. I suggest waiting until you've stained your frame to darkest coat, but if you're using a soft wood, making a hole first to make sure it's not so thin it splits is a good idea.



After screwing in your eyelets, secure the wire by putting tight and twisting it back over itself. I didn't mind if my wire showed since I chose a rustic color stain and a metallic wire, but if you're concerned about visibility simply cut the wire longer than you intend to use, and wrap it tight near the eyelet, when secured cut off the extra write.



This is so you can manipulate it easier when wrapping. If you cut it too short it's harder to secure a tight wrap. Make sure the stain is set, then hang! It acts as a sort of functional art. Jewelry is beautiful and I often feel I can't see what I own when it's all thrown in a drawer or jewelry box. My next project is a necklace holder so stay tuned ;)