How to Upcycle Charity Shop Picture Frames into Stunning Jewellery Organisers
There’s something deeply satisfying about turning a dusty old picture frame into something genuinely useful. And if you’ve ever found yourself with earrings scattered across your dresser or necklaces tangled in a drawer, this project is going to feel like a revelation. Upcycling charity shop picture frames into jewellery organisers is one of those crafts that looks impressive but is actually dead simple. Promise.
Why Picture Frames Work Brilliantly for Jewellery Storage
Think about it. A frame already has depth, structure, and a backing. It’s basically begging to become something more than a vessel for your nan’s holiday photo from 1987. The glass comes out, you add some mesh or fabric, and suddenly you’ve got a wall-mounted organiser that keeps everything visible and tangle-free. No more fishing around in a jewellery box wondering where that one earring went.
Charity shops are absolutely goldmines for this. You’ll find ornate gilded frames, chunky wooden ones, sleek modern styles — often for a couple of quid. The slightly battered ones are actually perfect because you can paint them, distress them further, or just embrace the shabby chic look. Who doesn’t love saving something from landfill while solving a practical problem?
What You’ll Need to Get Started
The materials list is refreshingly short. Grab your charity shop frame, some chicken wire or metal mesh (hardware shops sell this by the metre), a staple gun or strong adhesive, and wire cutters. That’s the basics. If you want to hang earrings, mesh is perfect. For necklaces and bracelets, you might add some small hooks along the bottom edge instead.
Feeling fancy? Pick up some spray paint, ribbon, or decorative paper to line the backing. But honestly, keeping it simple works beautifully too. Sometimes the frame does all the talking on its own. Our Crafts & Hobbies ebooks have loads of inspiration for customising projects like this if you want to take things further.
Step-by-Step: Turning That Frame into an Organiser
First, remove the glass and backing from your frame. Set the glass aside for another project — or recycle it carefully. Cut your mesh slightly larger than the frame opening, then stretch it tight across the back and secure it with staples or heavy-duty glue. Trim any excess wire, being careful of sharp edges.
For stud earrings, the mesh holes work perfectly. Hook earrings can dangle through too. Want to hang necklaces? Screw in some small cup hooks along the inside bottom edge of the frame. Space them evenly and you’ve got instant organisation that actually looks good enough to display.
The whole thing takes maybe thirty minutes. And the result? A functional piece that’s also genuinely decorative. Pop it on your bedroom wall and you’ll wonder why you ever kept jewellery any other way.
Making It Your Own
This is where it gets fun. Paint the frame to match your room. Wrap ribbon around the edges. Line the backing with fabric so your jewellery pops against a colourful background. You could even create a series of smaller frames for different jewellery types — one for earrings, one for bracelets, another for rings.
If crafting’s your thing, browsing our full catalogue might spark even more ideas. We’ve got plenty of titles covering everything from basic upcycling to more ambitious home projects.
A Small Project with Big Satisfaction
There’s real joy in making something practical with your own hands. This project costs almost nothing, takes minimal time, and solves an actual everyday annoyance. Plus, you’re giving new life to something that might otherwise end up in a skip. What’s not to love?
So next time you’re wandering past a charity shop, pop in and hunt for a frame that speaks to you. Your tangled jewellery drawer will thank you. And if you’re after more crafty inspiration, the Calibre Books catalogue has plenty to keep your hands busy and your mind creative.
Browse related titles in our catalogue: Crafts & Hobbies — all available as instant downloads at Calibre Books.