Introduction: Hanging Cardboard Jewelry Frame!

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Perfect for hanging and storing studs and dangle earrings because the frame is hinged. You can easily access the backs!

I wanted something simple yet pretty that could easily hold earrings and necklaces. This project takes about an hour, and can be customized in dozens of ways. The way I've done it is very basic.

Plus, you might just have all the materials around your house! Hooray!

(And thanks to Jace for taking pretty late night finished product pictures for me!)

Step 1: What You Need:

  • a large piece of cardboard, single ply
  • a utility knife with a new blade
  • a quilting ruler or something similar
  • a cutting mat or a thicker piece of cardboard to cut on
  • some scrap cotton fabric - I used an unbleached muslin
  • a pen for marking
  • scissors for cutting fabric
  • Fabri-tac glue or something similar - anything that dries fast and can bond paper and fabric!

OPTIONAL: paint or decoupage supplies to finish the frame! I used spray paint because I had some left over from previous projects. :D

Step 2: Cut Your Box and Cut Out the Main Frame.

Try to cut along a side seam of the box so that you can lay it flat and open it up completely.

You need a large, flat, non creased piece of cardboard for this, so go for the middle of the box. You can cut so that the "ribbing" is horizontal or vertical in the piece. I did both ways and found horizontal to be much easier to work with!

Figure out which side you like the most, and then place that side facing down. You'll be marking and cutting on the ugly side!

Cut out a piece that's 13 inches wide and 17 inches high.

Step 3: Cut the Inner Frame Flap.

Now, measure two inches in from all edges so that the lines form another rectangle.

You're going to cut the two sides and bottom of this - leave the top lines intact. This will act as a hinge!

After this is done, cut 1/8 inch away from the surrounding cardboard on the three sides. This way, the cardboard won't be rubbing together and can be easily lifted out to retrieve earrings with backs!



Step 4: Cut Out the Hole for the Fabric and Score Hinge!

Within your hinged piece, measure one inch in from every edge and mark so that it forms a smaller rectangle. Cut all four sides of this so that there is a large hole in the middle.

Save the piece you remove for the next step and perhaps painting!

After the middle piece is removed, lightly score the line at the top on both side so that it can swing out.

Step 5: Create the Hooks.

On the bottom of the frame, make a mark in the middle at 6 1/2 inches and 1/2 inch from the flap bottom. Then make marks to the left and right of the middle 1 1/2 inches apart. Draw a straight line under these marks an inch from the very bottom of the frame.

Draw two lines from each dot to the straight line to form little triangles.

Very lightly score at the bottom of the triangles so that they bend outward.

These might take a little extra time and effort to shape correctly if the ribbing is vertical, so go slow. :D

Step 6: Cut Out the Top Hinged Frame Piece.

Your fabric will be part of a glue and cardboard sandwich to keep in place and taut.

Take the piece you just removed from the middle of the flap, and place it onto another part of the box. Draw all the way around it.

Now, take your ruler and add one inch to all the outside edges.

Cut this out so that you have a one inch wide frame that matches the bottom hinged one.

Step 7: Cut the Fabric to Size.

Again, take the rectangle you removed from the flap - place it on top of the fabric.

Draw all around it a 1/2 inch away from the edge. Cut this out and get ready to glue. :)

(Also try to clean up those edges! And iron if it's wrinkly!)

Step 8: Stretch and Glue the Fabric to the Bottom Hinged Frame.

Make sure the right side is facing you at this point!

Place the fabric over the frame to get an idea of the correct placement.

Put a dot of glue in one corner and let it dry - it should only take 15 seconds or less, really.

Then, pulling the fabric taut, work around the frame in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion, gluing in small sections. Make sure that each time you glue you also hold the fabric in place to let it dry correctly. The last side will be tricky, so I'd suggest doing it all at once.

Hold it up and apply a good line of glue, and the stretch the fabric and press it into place. This will give you a nice clean finish.

Step 9: Glue the Top Frame On.

Once everything's set nice and firm on the bottom layer, glue on the top frame.

Do this as quickly as you can. I ran a line of glue all the way around, and then pressed the top into place and lined it up. Then just hold it down for a few seconds.

Check to see that everything is stable, and then you can begin decorating it if you'd like!

(The first picture is the frame I did for this instructable, the second one is the prototype that worked out so well I had to hang it too!)

Step 10: Painting, Decoupaging, Etc. and Hanging!

If you do choose to paint, make sure that you place the middle of the frame back over the fabric and then paint. This keeps things nice and neat!

If you're decoupaging, this isn't as much of an issue. Just be careful of the hooks and the hinge - don't layer too much on!

I used some picture hanging strips to put these on the wall over my dresser. I'm really happy with how they turned out. But I think I might need more earrings now.

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