The other day I got to wondering, how do you guys store your jewelry? I picked up a ceramic egg crate from The Container Store about five years ago and it has served as my “jewelry box” ever since. It’s perfect for containing my limited collection (I’m all about earrings, but I generally never have more than a dozen in rotation) and the finish works perfectly with my love of all things white and ceramic.
What you’re actually seeing above is my “night table” of sorts. Since we flanked the bed with two curtained wardrobes from Ikea, we each use one of the concealed shelves to house a few things that we typically grab before we hit the hay. Which explains that white ceramic bowl on the left. It’s actually just a bowl from the kitchen that I repurposed to store my contact case, face lotion, and lip gloss at arm’s reach. It’s kinda funny when you think that both of these handy storage items are really meant for the kitchen.
And you may wonder where my engagement ring and wedding ring go before bed, well, John and I actually sleep, shower, paint, and do everything else with ’em on. In fact, John’s ring hasn’t left his hand since I slipped it on at our wedding a year and a half ago (!) and mine only comes off about twice a year for an inspection at the jewelry store (to make sure nothing’s loose from all that constant wear). Is that weird? We know we’re definitely in the minority here (based on the strange looks we get from friends and family when we mention this fact), but we’re wondering if there are others like us out there. Come out of the woodwork fellow perma-ring-wearers and make us feel less strange!
But back to the jewelry storage subject at hand. Here’s how John’s sister Emily stores hers. She’s the lucky owner of a fabulous pull-out drawer with space for her extensive collection of baubles and bling (she also chose Ikea wardrobes for her master bedroom, but she opted for super modern frosted glass doors instead of curtains):
Are you green with envy? Cause I am. Would it not be amazing to be have so much space to store your stuff? Although I’m sure John’s thanking his lucky stars that I only have a little egg crate to keep my jewelry buying habit at bay. Now it’s your turn- tell us all about how you store your gems and jewels. From wooden boxes to cool display trees (like this one or this one from Urban Outfitters) we’d love to hear what works for you.
Check out a great DIY hanging jewelry box project here on Newlywedisms by Bryn.
Update: We’re not the only ones who love a white ceramic egg crate as a jewelry organizer! Our friends at Better Homes & Gardens featured this idea in their April 2009 issue.
Megan in Denver says
The egg crates are no longer on the Anthro website — but I did find the (in white and turquoise) on a recent trip to the actual brick and mortar store. They’re great!
YoungHouseLove says
So glad you were able to hunt one down!
xo,
s
Lynn Daniels says
I decided to hang a corkboard in the back of my walk-in closet and just tapped a few nails into it- angled upwards- and now all my necklaces, bracelets, rings, and hang-able (is that a word?) earrings are perfectly hanging where I can see them but they don’t look cluttered. You could actually add some sort of basket underneath for stud earrings and stuff I am sure. Hmm.maybe thats what I will do next..ha!
Nicolette Kersh says
I cut a peg board to fit in an unused frame I had lying around the house. I thought the frame was a good idea so it wouldn’t look like it was meant for a garage or workspace. I hang my necklaces and bracelets on the hooks which I can move around to accomodate my ever changing collection of jewelry. It is fun to see your jewelry on display instead of hidden in a jewelry box.
Jessica says
I know this post is older but I had to comment! I think it’s so sweet that you always wear your rings. I can’t say that I always wear mine, but more often than most. I sleep and shower in it as well. My mom works at a hospital and told me about an 80 year old patient who needed to be prepped for surgery and she absolutely refused to take off her ring. She said it has never been off her finger since the day she was married. How sweet!
Amanda says
Love the egg crate idea. I couldn’t agree more with only keeping a few pieces in rotation. It makes decisions much easier, and it’s exciting to pull out the “old” stuff again!
Barbara Bell says
Loved your egg crate jewelry box…have used your image (and credited your site) on my blog posting today:
http://tinyurl.com/3kkpnrc
Barbara Bell says
I loved your post re: the use of the ceramic egg crate, and I posted your pic, with attribution to your site. Love, love, love the use of the egg crate!
http://barbarabellphotography.blogspot.com/2011/04/chickens-and-sense-of-community.html
cjw says
Definitely NOT a permawearer of the rings! I’m usually wearing my wedding set when I’m out of the house, but if I’m staying in I’ll either put it on or not put it on depending on what I’m doing. I don’t sleep in it or shower in it, and I frequently take it off for household activities (like cleaning, manual labor, cooking) or going to the gym. It’s pretty big with lots of little diamonds (I’m a lucky girl!) so it’s not worth the risk to me.
My husband…poor husband. We’ve been married six weeks and he already lost (and found) his ring…but not before I ordered him a new one! Good thing titanium is super inexpensive. The ring bugs him to wear, especially when engaging in athletic activities, but he’s trying!
Reuse says
I love it! I have something similar for my jewelery but it’s not nearly as nice looking as this. A fabric background would big a big improvement over the natural cork on mine I think, and I love the ribbons across and throughout. Great reuse of materials.
Gabi says
I married in 1995 and my wedding ring has never ever left my finger…it’s been where my husband put it 16 years ago! I think that’s quite romantic!!
Ashleigh says
I love the egg crate idea! Also, when I was married I never took off my ring for three years, I even wore it to work in the food industry. When I stopped wearing it, it took me a long time to get used to my finger being so naked. You’re not weird!
Connie@Connie Nikiforoff Designs says
Just saw this egg carton idea on an old Knock Off Decor post. I did this several years ago too! I have an old piano bench at the foot of our bed with a lid that opens. One morning I woke up and thought “Hmmmm…I think egg cartons will fit perfectly in there and the whole bench inside can be my jewelry box!” My Dad loved the idea and so did my hubby ;-)
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo,
s
Faith Harris says
I really like your ring (not to sound like a creeper!). Where did you buy it from?
YoungHouseLove says
John got me my engagement ring from NYC (they have a diamond district there full of amazing things). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Annie says
Hi!
Where did you get the blue ceramic flower?
Best,
Annie
YoungHouseLove says
That was from HomeGoods!
xo
s
Jackie says
I’m a perma-ring-wearer. Mostly, it’s becuase my engagement ring is a smidge too tight when my hands swell, so I have difficulty getting it off or back on, but I like wearing it all the time. After almost 6 years, I had to take my engagement ring in for a week to get a prong replaced and it felt very strange to only be wearing my wedding band. My husband, on the other hand, takes his off for everything. Sometimes I think the ringholder wears it more than him!
Tyra says
I realize this is a crazy old post but I was reading back some and see you never take your rings off! I am the same. My mom has never taken her wedding ring off (38years) and while I will take my outer band and engagement ring off for cleaning I never take off my back band (the one my hubs actually put on my finger). It’s not weird and you are not alone :)
Mitchell says
I want the jewelry organizer Emily has. I was google-ing for something like this organizer which led me to your blog. And was surprised that IKEA has a pull-out organizer drawer like this. Would you please find out from Emily the model of this wardrobe drawer, pleeeeaasssee???
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, it’s from Ikea. I think it’s called a Pax wardrobe and that is a pax jewelry system. Hope it helps!
xo
s