Learn how to make a fancy necklace display for showcasing your jewelry creations at craft fairs, vendor fairs, or at home.

Step 1: The Template

Print out the template onto an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. Cut it out and trace it onto thin cabinet grade plywood, cardboard, or other thin sturdy material. You could even use plexiglass if you want a transparent display.

Step 2: Cut It Out

Cut the template out and trace the design onto the plywood, then cut it out using a scroll saw. Super easy and super fast.

Step 3: Paint

Once you have cut your pieces out of plywood, lightly sand the edges. Now you can start painting, start with the edges and then paint the front. (wait to paint the back, I will explain in a later step) Let dry.
Sand with very fine sandpaper, I used 220 grit, and wipe clean.
Now brush on your final coat.
Note: I used Behr porch and floor paint because it was on hand and because I wanted my necklace displays to match my studio, but you can use whatever you have, including cheap acrylic craft paint.

Step 4: Details

After you second coat of paint has dried you can glue some wood appliques to the front. I used Beacon's 3-in-1 craft adhesive and it works great, and it dries fast so I didn't have to wait before painting over the appliques. Which is the next thing you need to do. Brush a coat of paint over the appliques and let dry. You can do a second coat if you feel it's necessary, but you don't have to sand between.

Step 5: Making a Base...

For my base I wanted something with character and I found it in this old wooden spool. It's been sitting around doing nothing for many years so I decided i would rather put it to good use.

First cut the top off straight across with a hand saw so that you are able to get a good angle cut.

Second, hold your display board up to the spool and decide what angle you want the board to set and mark the spool with a pencil.

Now you will cut the angle with the hand saw and hold your display board up to it in a dry run to make sure you like the angle you have cut.

And the last step is to glue the spool to the back of the board (this is why you have waited to pain the back, so the glue can get a good strong bond, after the glue dries you can paint the back)
I used E-6000 jewelry adhesive, mainly because it's what I had on hand and because it's a good strong glue that will glue almost anything. I also propped the spool so that it would lay flat on the board until the glue dried. You can also tape it in place with masking tape until it dries.

Step 6: Distressed Aged Paint Technique...

Now that your display board is glued to the stand you can add character by adding some paint layers.

1. Dry brush some white streaks gently from the top of the board to the bottom, this give a nice weathered effect. Let dry completely.
2. Now mix some brown acrylic paint with water to make a "stain". Brush all over your board and quickly wipe away with a damp cloth. This leaves the darker paint in the crevices and details of your appliques and tones down the brighter colors in your previous paint layers.
Let dry.
You can now brush on a layer of sealant, or spray on some sealant or just leave it as is and a paint chip here or there will only enhance the effect.