I already owned a fair number of gifted and thrifted brooches, but that didn’t stop me from going on a bit of a brooch-buying spree a few months back. (NO JUDGING.) And as soon as I had spent the dough and collected the goods, I realized that my little ceramic box was not going to work for brooch storage any longer. So I did this:
“What the heck is that?” I hear you asking. THAT, dear friends, is the belt from a tunic that looked absolutely dreadful when worn with the tunic. I’ve put two finishing nails into my bedroom wall, hung the belt from its rings, and pinned my brooches to it. You can see that I’ve put them two abreast to maximize my space on the belt!
My original thought was to use a grossgrain ribbon, and I think that could work for a smaller collection or one comprised mainly of fabric and cloth brooches. But if you’ve got quite a few pieces and they’re heavy, a cloth belt with a stitched buckle will support everything far better.
Here’s the long view:
Why did I do this instead of just buying a larger box? Because it helps me tremendously to SEE my accessories when I am planning outfits. A scarf, belt, or necklace can spark inspiration all by itself … but not if it’s buried at the bottom of a pile or drawer. This method allows me to see all of my brooches at once, and has already proven helpful.
Would you ever try this type of display?
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{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
i often display my jewellery by hanging it on the wall (on wall tacs or nails) rather than keeping it hidden in a box – in a simply decorated room it can look amazing. But i hadn't thought about the brooch/belt idea.. i am going to see if i have an old belt too!! so simple but beautiful.
Very cool!
I think that is a great idea. I forget to wear my jewelery because I don't see it. And I have a belt like that in my give-away pile looking for job!
What an absolutely brilliant idea!!! I tend to forget about pieces I own if I can't see them. I keep my jewelry in a hanging thing with clear plastic pockets on both sides. (It hangs on the closet rack, very easy to see and get to.)
That's a wonderful idea.
This is very clever!
Thanks – this is a wonderful idea. I'm off to find a suitable belt.
Sal, that is so cute. Yes I would definitely try it now that I have seen it. My husband is helping me hang my belts on my inside cupboard door and I agree it really does help to see what you have. I have always liked country kitchens for the same reason. This is sort of like a country closet.
Oh yes, I agree with the need to see or one forgets … I am gaining ideas from looking at your storage ideas.
I would totally try this!!! I love it. I keep my brooches on an antique pin cushion.
The belt is a great idea I'd wear mine more often if I saw them…. But I'd like to know what you have under your bangles?? A paper towel thingy?? A candle stick??
downthegardenpath: Yep, it's a paper towel rack! Better images right here.
Love it! I'm a visual organizer, too, and I was thinking of doing something similar with all of my earrings as well — smaller grommets applied to thin fabric, wide enough for two or three pairs of earrings to be arranged. I'll affix to a painted wooden slat so that the backs of the earrings don't hit the wall: I'll send pictures after I move and install. Thanks, as always, for your virtual brainstorming and suggestions!
Sal,
Great idea! Thanks for the clarification and for including the old post – I hadn't started reading you at that point. I may have to work my way through your archives.
I organize my brooches in a similar manner. I bought one of those over-the-door purse holders which consists of a heavy fabric attached to the top and bottom of the door, with plastic hooks to hang purses on. I took off the purse hooks, and pined the brooches onto the fabric. I love being able to see them all at once too! Plus, this method gives me plenty of room to expand my collection
I love it, and do the same thing. I hang brooches and hair clips from belts, necklaces from hooks, my fox stole hangs on my wall as "art". I even hang all of my tights on a next to one another on a hanger.
YES. That's brilliant!
Absolutely!
If I can't see something it's chances of getting worn are slim.
I'm more a necklace person so I have a cork board with push pins and necklaces hung up there. It's right at eye level so minimal effort is required for me to find what I need.
Without JUDGING I'm gonna say that the green flower broach is something else. Have we seen that?
RoseAG: Hahahaha, nope the green one is a new-to-me brooch I picked up at a vintage fair in Chicago last month.
Oh wow great idea! I love brooches! I have a very similar one to your white flower with stem!
Natalie
http://twoprepsinapod.blogspot.com
I love it! I would most definitely try it out for broaches. I already use grosgrain ribbon for hair clips.
I just recently pinned all my brooches onto a seldom-used winter scarf, which hangs on the pants hanger with my other scarves.
I do this with all my jewellery and even hair clips. Except I have a pegboard with ribbons pinned on in rows.
My necklaces are on a necklace tree from IKEA but everything else is on the board, for the same reason – I can see it, so I don't forget what's there!
It's regular satin ribbon, and it's fine so far but will probably need to be replaced at some point (grosgrain is a better idea!). It's not very long, and my brooches aren't super heavy. It works better than any other organisation I've tried.
I absolutely love this, but I'm afraid I wouldn't have the patience to pin back every pin after I've used it. I just throw everything on top of my dresser and only bother putting it back to its proper place long after a mountain of accessories has been formed.
Such a good idea!! Mine still fit all laid out in my jewelry box, but the collection is forever growing, so I may have to do this soon!
According to Real Simple mag, this means you're right-brained… or combo left and right (me, me! Don't try to define me to one side of my brain!)
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/tips-techniques/organizing-for-your-personality-00000000034690/index.html
not the most ground-breaking article, but interesting to think about.
I think I'm a combo, my jewelry is in a box, that I can close up when I want to feel uncluttered. And everything has a certain compartment to sit or hang in. But it's one of those large boxes that opens up so I can then see all my earrings in display in one place, or all my necklaces in one place, etc..
I love the idea, since I never remember to wear my kind of eccentric pieces, all tucked away in their boxes. But all hung up, they always feel kind of cluttered & busy to me.
And as a recovering pack-rat, I seek zen, un-cluttered surfaces! I don't HAVE them, mind, but I seek them!
oh that's just adorable! What a great idea!
That's a great idea! I hang all my belts and scarves on the inside of my closet doors, this would fit nicely on the door as well. Now, to collect more brooches…
Try it? I’ve done it – lol! Though I didn't use a belt.
What a great idea! Being able to see stuff is key for me.
Hi again, i have tried it out and it looks great. I have an old flowery belt that was a bit 'loud' to wear but it works perfectly for this. I have been making bunting today to decorate the hall for a friends wedding and have been decorating it with buttons and broaches just to add that sparkle!