Get Organized: Repurpose an Old Jewelry Box into a DIY Craft Organizer
One of my readers gave me this genius idea for what to do with old jewelry boxes! Imagine my excitement when I walked into my favorite thrift store about 6 months ago and saw this jewelry armoire sitting there in all its glory….with NO PRICE TAG. It really was a magical moment. I couldn’t believe no one else had swooped it up. I knew this jewelry armoire makeover would be phenomenol!
BEFORE
I told my boys to stay there and guard it with their life, while I ran to find someone to get a price quote. I was expecting at least $40.00……
–GASP!!!
But, seriously, only $12.50??!!! When the lady told me, I worked reeeeeaaaallly hard to keep my face straight to hide my excitement and surprise. I would have paid probably 3 times that! (But they didn’t need to know that, LOL). Clearly they didn’t see the value in it that I saw, or else they would have marked it higher.
They probably had no idea that I could turn it such a pretty painted jewelry box, something so lovely!
AFTER!
But I bet you didn’t realize that repurposed jewelry armoires are perfect for small crafting supplies! You name it: washers, beads, screws, nails–all those small DIY materials you’re not sure where else to stash.
I had bought the jewelry armoire with the intention to sell it. It had sat in my garage for 6 months, which is actually a minute amount of time compared to some of my wait-listed furniture, like this wingback chair makeover I am working on which sat in the garage for four years! LOL
At first I used this HomeRight paint sprayer
to spray on Annie Sloan French Linen, but I am in LOVE with Annie Sloan Provence and really wanted something more bright and cheery. And if the condition of this can doesn’t convey how I abuse the heck out of some Provence, then I don’t know how else I could explain to you how much I love this color. LOL
(…FYI, yes, you can use Annie Sloan chalk paint in a paint sprayer. See my video tutorial on how to use chalk paint in the HomeRight Finish Max Pro
).
The Hardware
I had painted the small knobs white, but now I would need to change them back to gold. I just used Rub ‘n Buff Wax Metallic Finish
, which is my favorite way to change hardware in a snap. It just rubs on so easily!
Related: 5 Ways to Use Rub n’ Buff!
I also had to add my own knobs for the sides that pull out. The original knobs were broken off or lost. I love how fancy these knobs look!
The Stencil
This stencil is the same stencil I used on my folding table makeover that I did for my laundry room makeover. It’s my favorite French Floral Damask stencil. LOVE this stencil so much.
For this project, I removed all the drawers and laid them down straight together, then placed the stencil over them.
SHOP: Click here to buy this stencil using my affiliate link.
It’s Okay to Steal Borrow Ideas!
I can’t take credit for this genius idea of using an old jewelry box for crafting supplies. As I mentioned, one of my Thrift Diving 30-Day Room Makeover challengers posted in our closed Facebook group about sticking her screws and stuff in her jewelry box since she’s not a “give-me-jewelry” type of gal (just like me–I couldn’t care less about jewelry!!!).
The light bulb went off since I knew I was hoarding this baby in the garage. I knew there was no way that my spare jewelry collection deserved a piece like this. But–oh yes!!!–my crafting and DIY supplies could! 🙂 Organization, here I come!
So I stole borrowed her idea and turned this old jewelry box armoire into DIY craft storage in my basement!
It can easily hold 12 paint brushes there on the left. 🙂
The little compartments are perfect for storing nails and furniture tacks and stuff. I found myself wandering from place to place, looking for supplies to fill it up with!
You can see how it looks in my pretty office basement makeover!
BEFORE
AFTER!
Solid wood, too! And all that storage space and hooks!!
BEFORE
AFTER!
BEFORE
AFTER!
So what do you think?? 🙂
I know….some naysayers out there may think that I “ruined” all that beautiful wood. But it was dated wood. And the truth is that when a piece is sitting in a thrift store, neglected, a little bit of DIY and paint can bring it back to life for so many years to come for the next owner!
Anyhow, do you have some great ideas for other uses for jewelry armoires? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think of my repurposed jewelry armoire!
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Krazy Kool
I’m keeping an eye out from now on for one of those. Going to put it in my shop for my smaller tools and airbrush.
Thanks !!!
Ooooh, airbrush. Tell me more about this airbrush. Is this for painting furniture? What airbrush do you have?
Like I’ve said before, Serena, you find the best deals. And this turned out so beautiful! Love the color combination with the stenciling!
Thank you much, Gail!
I love it too. Girl you amaze me on your projects. I couldn’t believe you paid on $12.50 for the piece. Now I going to be looking around for jewerly box and try out this project. GREAT JOB !!
Hey there, Glenna! I know, the price was UNREAL. My dining room table also cost $12! HA! I tend to find a lot of stuff for under $15. It’s so wonderful. LOL
OMG, Serena, this is amazing, I really like.
I never heard about chalk paint spray,Thanks for sharing your project with us.
The color is so pretty (take care with you hand when you painting),jijiji.
You get me a lot of idea because I have, one jewelry box that look so boring , so I will doing something with my.
Sorry about my spelling , everyone
Well, it’s not chalk spray paint, it’s using chalk paint IN a paint sprayer. It can be done, and the finish is very smooth and nice. No worries on the spelling!! We totally understand :).
So beautiful and what a wonderful idea! So much prettier than the original and so useful!
Thank you, Kim! Yeah, I’m glad to find these little drawers to stash stuff, especially away from prying toddler fingers :).
I love it could use one for art journaling supplies. When I can get a house will be doing projects like these hopefully soon. My completed project last week was a halloween collage on canvass and it was fun. Have a great day love your projects.
Nice work on the collage. I love weekend crafting! What is art journaling?
Wow, love this idea and the way you refinished it. What a great up cycle idea. Btw, tge color is gorgeous.
Thank you, Shelly. It’s my favorite color from the chalk paint line!
OMG Serena! I am so jealous!!! I have been looking for one of those. Never would have thought of using it as a craft organizer. That the the prettiest toolbox I ever saw.
Same here, Connie! I’m so glad my ears perfected up when I saw the idea! It’s amazing how thinking outside the box really makes like that much more interesting! 🙂
On top of having adorable children you are pure genius, Lady! I like how your mind works. Your stencil job matched perfectly from drawer to drawer, an all around excellent job. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. I think this one was worth the wait.
Debra, that’s what I like to believe–that the pieces are holding out until the moment strikes, to make it “work.” If I forced it, I would probably ruin each piece. LOL! Thank you for the compliments on my babies! They are quite sweet!
OH. EM. GEEEE!!! This might be my favorite thing you’ve done, yet!! I LOVE this! I WANT this! I NEED this!!!
Thank you so much, Kathy! LOL How am I ever going to top this then? LOL Ooooh, the pressure, the PRESSURE!! 😉
I could not agree with you more! I L-O-V-E this and want it so bad!
Right now, I am forced to use designer Pampers wet wipes containers for my craft storage…but I do have the cutest little chalky lilac shelving unit that has a cute little garden scene painted gate on it that I use to hold a couple of my glass vases and I have three recycled Glad trash bag boxes in it to hold all my glues :o) I am hoping to find some little wicker or sea grass baskets for it though.
I use 3 duct taped cereal boxes to hold my scrapbooking papers and wrapped the whole thing in gift wrap.
Great things to hold little things are those take out side dish containers from Kentucky Fried Chicken. They are great for tiny brads, push pins, paper clips, etc…
I use an empty glass spice jar to hold my pearls.
I made another wrapped box to hold 3 of the mailer boxes (that are small) to hold the greeting cards I make.
LOL, I am so glad I just caught what I was about to post,lol instead of saying boxes I had typed boxers, LMAO, just imagine it, Recycled trash bag boxers, lol :oD
Sorry, If I offended someone one with my humor, but I just lost my Dear Sweet Father-in-law Pa Bear (Don Roth) the 23rd. I sorely needed to laugh. And God helped me to do just that through a simple typing error, Laughing is the best medicine and it is free. May you be at rest, Pa Bear (Bear-Bear) :'( {{{{hugz}}}}