This came to me at 2:00am

Tweet

Free standing earring/necklace display!

Tweet

Heres the ugly truth.... I hate setting up and breaking down my displays at shows. Back in the day you just needed a table and a tablecloth, nowadays....not so much. There are more and more artists and crafters signing up for shows and competition is getting fierce. And let's face it, the craft show world isn't hurting for jewelry vendors. So how do you get seen and not have lug a bunch of heavy, expensive, or elaborate displays? You go get yourself a pair(or two) of reclaimed slated bifold doors. Like these!

Tools and items required:

Drill or screw driver

Pliers

2 hinges with screws

Now I scored these wood beauties at a Habitat for Humanity salvage sale for $7 for the pair! I originally picked them up for the shop to use as a backdrop for my bigger window display but when I decided after a few months it wasn't working they sat in the hallway here in the store taunting me. I walk past them for months waiting for that "A-Ha!" moment. Finally yesterday I decided they were going to get demoted to the back storage room. As soon as a touched them "Jewelry Display!" screamed at me.... Well not really but you get the point.

Now sometimes the "obvious" eludes me. I know it and I can laugh at myself for it.  So as I stared at them again I thought "How am I going to put jewelry on this? The slats are in the wrong direction." And I gave in to defeat.

Now you have probably figured out the "obvious" solution. It took me picking them up and getting ready to move them into the back to "see" the "obvious".... The back side. 

So I removed the knobs and used stain I had on hand to cover the exposed wood under the knobs. 

 

Now I forgot to take a pic before I removed them but were 4 of these plastic thingies on the bottom. 

They were used to keep the doors in place....and also to torture me. First one popped right out.... The other 3 made me work for it. I pried 2 out using determination as my fuel. The last one broke just perfectly where I couldn't grip it with pliers, but it stuck out out enough to make it an issue.... I beat the crap out of it with a hammer and it sunk all the way in. A short temper works in my favor on occasion. 

I stood them up together and measured for hinges leaving a slight gap( less the 1/4 inch)for wiggle room for moving the hinges.

Since I am a collector(hoarder) I was lucky enough to find these in my stash. 

I've gotten old hinges from yard sales, salvage sales, thrift stores, I keep them off old projects, dumpsters outside of house renovations(with permission),.... But if all else fails check out Etsy and eBay.

I used a scrap piece of industrial strength Velcro to keep the gap consistent.... You can use whatever. FYI I thought I was sooooooo smart using that Velcro because it was sticky on both sides so it stuck in place. Industrial stuck. It was not fun to remove.

Both hinges on and stupid Velcro removed

Viola!!!

I am leaving it the color it is for now.... But imagine what you could do with it. White wash it, spray paint it, use fabric in the lower panels, paint designs on the panels......

I left the plastic bits on the top.... Because they are functional( that's a lie. There was no way I was fighting with them)

Now how to display your jewelry....

Hanging earring card-

S hook- I had a few spray painted S hooks left over from a previous project.

Or... Bent colored paper clip

Now as far as transporting it...

I played around and I found that with my earrings I can load the display up, sandwich a piece of thick fleece in between the panels for protection, and fold it up. Now it doesn't lie flat obviously, but it closed. I'm going to sew a sack to store it in for travel that way I don't loose any escaping earrings and it's easier to carry. But if couldn't sew one I'd wrap it in a sheet and secure it with ribbon. 

Just remember to not put anything on top of it while traveling or you'll bend or snap a hinge or break your jewelry. Also if you are going to keep your jewelry in there I'd store it standing up while not in use.

 

My brick and mortar store concept.... Full description

Tweet

So it occurred to me that I've been dancing around the description of my shop proposal. It's not a secret.....anymore. I did want to keep it quiet until I met with the Uptown Committee and presented it to them. Since I've done that already let me explain to you what I envision...
1. Obviously selling my handmade items. I want to be able to start selling bigger items like furniture. I'd also do a in shop discount for donated items like furniture.

2. I'll take some commissions.... But not a lot, maybe 5 items or so. They would get 30 days, then the remaining items would need to be changed out. If none of the items sell they'd need to step down and let somebody else have an opportunity. This way I can keep things fresh and new.

3. Classes in the evening! Woohoo! I want to try and have classes taught by different instructors in the evening hours a couple times a month. So if you are interested in teaching, and I get this shop, let me know! The only thing is I don't want to step on local businesses who teach quilting classes, so there won't be any of those.....unless you take it to a different level like Steampunk, Kawaii, Goth,......

4. "Stitch and Bitch" area... I can't knit or crochet but I'd like to have an area where local yarn heads can get together come in kick back and do their thing.

5. The biggest thing....... A "Teen Sew Area". I'd supply the materials and machines, they'd be able to make items to sell splitting the profits 50/50 with the shop itself. I think it's a great creative outlet, teaches them pricing and marketing, and gives them an opportunity to make some money. Now this is where I'm going to have to call out to the community and ask for donations like old sewing machines, notions, material, upcyclable material,..... These type of items get donated to the local thrift stores daily...maybe I can convince some people to bring these items to the shop....hopefully.....

So there it is, my shop concept. So wish me luck, hopefully I get approved from the Uptown Committee and I can start moving forward! If all goes well, it looks like I'd be opening in June...I hope.