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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FLIPPING. OUT!!! Love this! Tell your 30-day participant that they are a genius! Will totally be keeping an eye open for a jewelry armoire now! (And also, I know what to do with the knife blocks that I, too, always feel creative around, but never know what to do!) Really, really loving the ideas this week! <3
ARRRRGGGGG!!!!!! I could KICK myself! Hard! Right in the butt!!! I JUST sold a standing jewelry box with legs at my garage sale. “Oh, I already have one for my jewelry, I don’t really need another one.” Then, I pulled up your email project and got hit by a bolt of regret lightning! I didn’t HAVE to use it for jewelry, I could have used it for SOMETHING else! Duh! Since it’s gone, I can now think of a hundred thousand things I could have used it for. I guess from now on I refuse to be pressured to “get rid of that junk” in our shed. SMH!!!
I love your ideas and the wonderful things you find at the thrift store!
Really nice!!
What a very clever idea and I just love the color. I have a jewelry organizer and I think I will do this since I no longer plan to use it for my jewelry. Thanks for sharing.
I love this! What a great idea! I’ll be checking local thrift stores/Goodwills for something like this. I want to have something this to hold all my tools, nuts, bolts, nails, dog supplies, cleaning stuff, etc. and this would be perfect! I had been eyeing apiece from Ikea for that purpose, but it’s over $100. If I could find and old jewelry armour for a decent price, it would be perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Serena, thank you for posting this particular DIY! [and what adorable boys! Good little “guards that they are!”] The way you stenciled the drawer is brilliant. The whole thing turned out so pretty! Love the blingy knobs, too. When I first saw the photo I thought you’d used wallpaper.
Did you clean the wood in any way before you painted? Or sand it?
I’ve had a vintage sewing machine [sans machine] sitting in my living room for a few months waiting for me to have the confidence to tackle my first furniture project. How to redo the drawer pulls has really been bugging me. AMACO Rub ‘n Buff Wax Metallic Finish, Antique Gold will be the PERFECT answer to beginning that part of it all. Wish I had the car today to go get that. But, today is paperwork day. UGH. So, I purposefully did not keep the car.
Love your blog, your ideas and your lack of fear! You’ll have me creating very soon. For me, it’s like the old R.Simmons exercise videos that I have – I gotta DO the work, not just watch it. LOL
I absolutely love this! Heading to ReStore now for mine now!!! haha!!! Great colors too:)
Hey Serena!
Great find and great work once again. Your creativity is up there with the best of them! Very nice touch with the stencil and great color combo!
This is completely brilliant and now I am on the hunt!!! Clever, Clever gal
I have a lot of both. It would be hard to choose. Jewelry or crafts supplies. Tough decision.