Quick Craft: Easy Art / Jewelry Display!

John and I are in the final stage of our bedroom redo: the dreaded "knick-knack" stage. Don't get me wrong, I love creating little table top vignettes -  they just take me forever and an ice age to do. I have to switch things out, stare for a few minutes, try a few different things, shift them all an inch to the right, go fetch that bowl from the closet I remember packing up last Christmas, stare a few more minutes, try another combination, and then go to ask John for his opinion -  only to find him passed out on the couch, snoring.

It's a process.

Anyway, I decided my nightstand needed a picture frame, and I found the perfect one stashed in my closet:

It still had the $2.99 price tag on it. Gotta love Old Time Pottery.

Trouble was, I couldn't find anything in my art stash that would work. I wanted something simple and dramatic, but with a minimum of color.

So instead, I did this:

That's one of the largest "statement" necklaces I own, and it's one of my new absolute favorites. (It's by Friston, the steampunk jewelry genius.) I'm always a fan of getting jewelry out where you can see it more, so this is perfect for me!

And the best part? It's ridiculously easy to do. RIDICULOUSLY, I say. You'll be finished in 20 minutes, tops, using stuff you probably already have at home.

You'll need a table top frame with a smaller inset on the back, like this:

You'll also need a pretty necklace - preferably on the larger side, a small piece of black velvet or felt, and a utility knife.

Open up your frame, remove the glass and backer board, and then center your necklace on the board:

(Are you distracted by my necklace's steamy goodness? ME, TOO.)

 

Put the chain where you like, and then mark those spots with pencil or a bit of chalk.

Now, using your utility knife, cut a tiny slit at each of your marks for the chain to rest in. (The slits will hold your necklace in place and keep it from slipping down.) If your chain is thicker, like mine, then you'll have to carve larger divots, like so:

Next cut out a square of fabric the same size as your backer board. Black velvet is ideal, but since I didn't have any I used black felt. You could use any fabric, though, so go nuts with it!

Now glue your fabric down (spray adhesive is perfect, if you have it), and you're ready to rock n' roll!

Pop that pretty necklace in place, and stand back to admire your new art!

Hang on - that one's a little blurry.

Better!

And there you get ANOTHER peek at our antiqued mirrors. Eh? EH? So sparkly, you guys. Spaaaaarkly. Oh, and those blue gems on the silver candle stick are another necklace. And the silver flower is a pin. Told ya I like getting my jewelry out!

Getting back to your frame: for the excess chain hanging out the back, just loop that around the frame's easel, so it doesn't drag. You could also tape it up, I suppose, but that would make it harder to remove when you want to wear it. So don't. :)

[Update: Amelia in the comments has an even better idea: tape a small plastic jewelry bag to the easel, and stick the excess chain in that! Think I'm going to do that, Amelia - thanks!]

Now, who wants to fill an entire wall with small fancy frames filled with all your favorite jewelry? Anyone? Or just me?