One of the best ideas for me has been to find old odd pieces of China such as saucers or smaller bowls. I love to shop at flea markets and antique shops and have found some really wonderful pieces to use for my jewelry. Instead of just dropping pieces into the dishes you choose, try using large vintage buttons to fasten your earrings into. This will keep your earrings and their backs together along with making it easy to locate the pair when you get ready to wear them.

If vintage accessories don’t really fit with your décor, try using other types of dishes such as FiestaWare or other colorful pottery. Discount stores or even Target usually have many types of pottery at reasonable prices. Olive dishes are long and thin and make a quirky and space saving option for earrings.

Hang necklaces and bracelets from hooks mounted on the wall. Instead of regular and boring hooks, use vintage or more modern drawer pulls found in hardware stores. If you don’t want to mount the hangers on your wall, make one to stand on your dresser top. Start with a wooden picture frame - paint it the color of your choice and let it dry completely. Then embellish the frame with ribbon, lace, or any additions that match your decor. Measure and trim plastic needlepoint canvas to fit on the back of the frame and glue into place. You can also use another very loose weave fabric. Attach chosen hooks to the sides and/or top of the frame to hang necklaces and bracelets from. Attach pierced earrings directly through the plastic canvas or fabric.
For a really low maintenance idea, get a three tiered standing plate rack. Use each level to separate your pieces into categories that make it easy to find and wear them.

These are just a few ideas to get you started getting your jewelry organized. Being creative is so much more fun than your plain Jane jewelry box!

Got any ideas of your own to add? Please share them in your comments!!

Even though the thermometer is still hovering around 98-100 degrees in my little corner of the world, I’m thinking about what the next season holds for jewelry. My sources tell me that fall and winter jewelry will be big and bold, full of sterling silver, and bracelets are all the rage!

Color this fall will be creative and combinations of color in handcrafted pieces will go far in complementing the fashions you’ll be wearing this fall. Purples, blues, and browns will be big this coming fall season. Pantone is the bottom line on color and here is what they say about the upcoming season: “Complex and exotic describe the intriguingly unusual and inviting color palette for fall ’07. The traditional neutral shades expected for autumn have been replaced this season with rich, nuanced hues, offering more opportunity for creativity with interesting and unexpected color combinations.” Take a look at the Pantone Fall Color Forecast.

This Amethyst and Olive Jade ID Style Bracelet found in my Etsy shop is an example of interesting color combinations that will be perfect for fall.

Be on the lookout for all kinds of trendy, fashion-friendly handcrafted jewelry but always be true to yourself. If bold and chunky is the trend but that’s not really you, find something more classically styled in the colors of the season. Don’t dispair if you can’t find what you want right off the rack or on your favorite website. Never disregard the special order option you almost always have with handcrafted jewelry. Contact us if you want to discuss a custom design!

Enjoy the quest to find the perfect new fall and winter pieces for you!!!

I am very happy to be one of the shops open for business on Etsy. To buy from any shop on the Etsy site, you’ll need to sign up for an account. That account gives you the ability move from shop to shop and also write your opinions in the forums if you want to.

One of the shops on Etsy I really love is Kreative KarryAlls. Heather takes coordinating ribbons and sturdy fabric to create her wonderful bags. Visit Heather’s shop at Kreative KarryAlls.

I have a brown and pink sling bag from Kreative KarryAlls that I just love!! It’s the perfect size for me - not too big or small - and all my stuff fits just the way I want it to. Here’s a picture.

To get things off on the right foot, I thought I’d let you all know that TCS shipping policy has changed. Any purchase through our website or Ruby Lane will be shipped at no extra charge - US or international. I’m in the process of changing the shipping policy on Etsy to free shipping. In the meantime, if you purchase something on Etsy, shipping charges will be refunded. Hopefully, the changes to Etsy listings will be complete in the next week or so.

I’m looking forward to sharing interesting tips and news through my blog. I hope you’ll enjoy reading and gain some good info in the process.

Kelly