DIY jewelry holder ~ my take

I wrote a few weeks ago about my need for a jewelry solution in my bedroom. I needed it up out of the reach of my niece and nephew and DIY, cheap and unique. I looked online for inspiration and found some cute ideas, but none of them fit quite right for my space and needs. I was at Ikea a little while ago and found a necklace solution. I bought a simple white over the door coat hook, hung it on my closet door and hung all of my necklaces on it. They are out of reach of the kids and displayed so I can actually see all of them!

Then I continued to look for a way to display earrings, rings and bracelets. I like the look of the burlap picture frames, but you can't really hang those on the wall and still easily access all of your earrings. Then I saw a picture of an earring holder using a length of small chain and 2 pins and thought that was cute. I wanted to use materials that I already had if that was possible.

Then inspiration struck! I cut 2 strips of burlap that I already had along with one strip of lace that I had and only bought the silver thumb tacks. They were $1.99 at Michaels. I love the mixture of lace, burlap, and metal! Here are some pictures of the process:

I chose "Delight" because it comes from my favorite Bible verse at the moment. Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." That is something I'm clinging to at the moment!


And finally the bracelet and ring dilemma. Without a better solution at the moment I took a silver bowl that I bought a while back from Salvation Army and put it on my small table below the earrings and spread out my rings and bracelets and other miscellaneous things in it. For now it works and I am loving the way it all came together!

Myths about DIY

I found this list of myths about DIY wedding decor here and I can relate to some of them. Recently, I was talking to my mom about what kind of a wedding I would want to have. I told her that I wanted something that wasn't expensive or overly fancy. That's just not me. I want a cheap wedding and a more expensive honeymoon. She wasn't exactly thrilled about my inclination toward DIY weddings or my use of the word "cheap". I don't mean I want a cheap looking wedding, I just want the wedding to ultimately be cheap! There is a difference!

So here are the myths I found:
 

Myth #1: Handmade Is Poor Quality
Above and beyond all other things I hear about handmade/DIY weddings, I hear “Handmade is poor quality” the most — and it kills me!
While there are varying degrees of skill and quality control in the crafting world, most artisans and crafters take great pride in their work and put forth their best efforts for their customers.
The diversity of handmade products available to consumers is truly astounding. A creative couple can find nearly any wedding-related item in a plethora of styles available nowhere else in the handmade community. Etsy is a testament to that!
Handmade goods are (often) far superior to mass-produced, machine milled items in both quality and style. Not only is the handmade item getting personal attention and care, it’s the direct result of someone’s skill and craftsmanship. That’s not something a machine can ever give you.


Myth #2: D.I.Y. Equals Disaster
This is, oddly, one of the most common myths I hear from prospective DIYers. This one usually comes courtesy of some of the more fear-mongering wedding industry people who try to dissuade do-it-yourselfers. This myth is a favorite of mine to dispel.
Usually accompanied with stories of tragic consequences (death, physical harm, eternal embarrassment) of handmade weddings gone wrong, the DIY doomsayers maintain that crafty couples are incapable of creating a fun, fabulous wedding without professional intervention.
The fact is that anyone can have a happy, harmonious handcrafted wedding. Pro help is wonderful when a couple has the need, the budget, and can find the right vendor but it’s not an absolute necessity to pull of a fabulous wedding day.
To be fair, DIY isn’t for everyone and, yes, problems may indeed arise. However, the possibility of problems does not a disaster make. (Remember: even professionals make mistakes.)


Myth #3: Handmade Is For Low Budget Brides or Tacky, Tacky, Tacky
With nightmares of favors wrapped in endless balls of tulle, garishly outdated 1990’s décor, and an abundance of doe-eyed children tchotchkes, some couples have expectations that handmade/DIY is well, tacky.
The face of the DIY/handmade wedding has changed dramatically in the last few years. Once relegated to those that had lower-than-national-average budgets, handmade has gained tremendous momentum in all budget ranges. At DIYBride.com, I’ve worked with couples with less than $5,000 to some in the $40,000 – $60,000 range in the last few years. And none were anywhere near tacky.
As more DIY projects are shared in our crafty communities and as couples strive for more individuality, handmade objects are more accepted and appreciated as part of the wedding experience. DIY/handmade weddings are now stylish, unique, fun, and totally representative of the couple.


Myth #4: D.I.Y./Handmade Is Always Less Expensive
One of the biggest myths about going DIY or handmade is that’ll be less expensive than off-the-shelf and pre-packaged options. Not true!
While couples can save big bucks by buying through indie artists or making things themselves, that’s not always the case.
The adage “you get what you pay for” is pretty accurate. You want quality? Be prepared to pay for it. Time and effort, tools and supplies, and skill and expertise all cost money whether you DIY or hire a pro.

Money and Design

Let's be honest, I'm a recent post-grad in an entry level job of a dying industry, so I don't have a lot of money to spend on design! It's sad for me sometimes to walk through a store and see things I fall in love with until I see the price tag. Then I walk away sad and want to curl up in a corner and cry!! So I am going to keep a running list of the things I buy and what I paid for them to see if I can decorate a room, bathroom and living room.

What I have so far:
I am taking my bed from my parents' house
I have sheets and pillows
A night stand
Desk and chair
Small TV for bedroom
Mirrors
etc.

Things I have bought:
Couch $100 (my parents actually bought it for me from one of their friends)
Comforter set $130 (originally $420 from Kohl's!!)
Decorative pillow $17
Vintage mailbox $25
Mustard yellow chair $25
Clock $4
Wicker Milk Crate Basket $20
Fabric to make 2 pillows $12
Vanity $50 (donated by my parents)
Kitchen chair $10
Shutters $10

It's not impossible to decorate on a small budget, it's just more difficult. I love searching for thrifty, strange things in some interesting places! Design on a limited budget takes more patience and time! Are you willing to accept the challenge?