If you have a steampunk crafty business, or perhaps an old-timey aesthetic, your booth should convey the feeling of your products. This is something I feel that I do quite well and I am quite proud of. Many people stop by my booth just to look at the curiosities inside. This is the last in a series of 3 blog posts on how to recreate 3 of my newest displays for yourselves! Too see Style No. 1, click here & Style No. 2, click here. For Style No. 3, read on!

Style No. 3

What You'll Need: 4 boxes (1 large and 3 small); 4 screws; drill & screwdriver; Murphy's Oil; medium-large cup hooks, as many as preferred; awl; 3 c-clamps; photo; shoe horn; decorative hook (mine's actually part of an old naval navigation piece); and decorative metal bracket

A Note on Where to Find Boxes: Flea Markets; Garage Sales; Antique Malls; and ReStores (which benefit Habitat for Humanity)--Look for sewing machine drawers & old produce crates especially. Avoid any boxes with mold, badly split sections of wood, or water damage. They will not be as structurally sound and may break with minor hammering.

Instructions:

Clean your boxes with soap and water (be careful not to soak your boxes). Shine them with a little bit of Murphy's Oil. Let dry completely.
Place your sewing drawers (or small boxes), hook/navigation piece and metal bracket where you'd like them. Mark with pencil where you need to screw your metal bracket in place. Also, mark the corners of your sewing drawers so if you choose for it to be removable you can place it back in the same spot. (I would suggest making your drawer removable because when you transport these kinds of displays, they can shift and it is much easier to adjust a c-clamp than having to re-screw the box on location).
The Box that you want the hook/navigation piece on: Make starter holes where you've marked using your awl (for softer woods) or your drill (for harder/thicker woods). Then screw your hook/navigation piece in place. Set aside.
The Box that you want the decorative metal bracket in: Repeat step 3.
Clamp your sewing drawers in place using your c-clamps.
Make starter holes for your cup hooks and then screw your cup hooks in place to hang your jewelry off of.
Place your shoe horn in the bottom box (optional).
Place the photo in your bottom box (optional).
Hang your product proudly inside!

DIY Steampunk Jewelry Display, Style No. 2

April 3, 2013D-I-Y-Samantha ExtanceComment

If you have a steampunk crafty business, or perhaps an old-timey aesthetic, your booth should convey the feeling of your products. This is something I feel that I do quite well and I am quite proud of. Many people stop by my booth just to look at the curiosities inside. This is the second in a series of 3 blog posts on how to recreate 3 of my newest displays for yourselves! Too see Style No. 1, click here. For Style No. 2, read on!

Style No. 2

What You'll Need: 2 boxes (1 large and 1 small); 2 screws; drill & screwdriver; Murphy's Oil; medium-large cup hooks, as many as preferred; awl; c-clamp; and decorative metal bracket

Instructions:

Clean your boxes with soap and water (be careful not to soak your boxes). Shine them with a little bit of Murphy's Oil. Let dry completely.
Place your sewing drawer (or small box) and metal bracket where you'd like them. Mark with pencil where you need to screw your metal bracket in place. Also, mark the corner of your sewing drawer so if you choose for it to be removable you can place it back in the same spot. (I would suggest making your drawer removable because when you transport these kinds of displays, they can shift and it is much easier to adjust a c-clamp than having to re-screw the box on location).
Clamp your sewing drawer to your large box with your c-clamp.
Next, make starter holes in your large box for your screws. If your box is oak or another hard wood use a drill rather than your awl. And vice versa for a more pliant or less sturdy wood.
Affix your metal bracket to your large box with your screws.
Last, make starter holes on your display where you'd like to place your cup hooks. Screw your cup hooks in.
Hang your jewelry with pride!

DIY Steampunk Drawer Displays, Style No. 1

March 29, 2013D-I-Y-Samantha Extance1 Comment

If you have a steampunk crafty business, or perhaps an old-timey aesthetic, your booth should help convey the feeling of your products. This is something I feel that I do quite well and I am quite proud of. Many people stop by my booth just to look at the curiosities inside. In my next 3 blog posts, I will be sharing 3 of my newest displays with instructions & tips on how to recreate them for yourselves! Here's no. 1.

Display No. 1:

What You'll Need: 2 boxes (1 large and 1 small); 2 nails; hammer; Murphy's Oil; 3 medium-large cup hooks, or more if preferred; 1 large spring; modge podge; paintbrush; scissors; awl; map tissue paper (or regular paper) cut to fit the bottom of your box; twine; and a metal filigree globe (this can be substituted for anything else you'd like or can find that fits your box that you can hang jewelry from)

Instructions:

Clean your boxes thoroughly with soap & water (though do not soak the box) and shine up with a little Murphy's Oil. Let dry completely.
Affix your small box on the top of your large box with your 2 nails. Hammer the nails in the bottom of the small box. Next, cut a piece of your map tissue paper to fit the bottom of your box. Apply a generous layer of modge podge to the bottom of the small box and then place the map tissue paper over it. Apply another layer of modge podge and let dry, approx. 15-20 mins. (Side note, map tissue paper, which you can find at Barnes & Noble BookStores in their gift wrap section, looks more antique when modge podged into your box than regular map paper).
Next, cut a piece (or pieces if your large box is divided like mine) of map tissue papers to fit the bottom of your large box. Apply a generous layer of modge podge to the bottom of the box. Place the map tissue paper to the bottom of the box and then modge podge on top of it. Let dry, approx. 15-20 mins.
Next, place your spring where you want it to hang in your box. Mark 2 spots with your pencil (where your cup hooks will go). Using your awl, create 2 starter holes over your pencil marks.
Screw your cup hooks in place. Hang your spring from the cup hooks.
Place your metal filigree globe in the box. Figure out where you would like it to hang. Mark it with pencil and create a starter hole with your awl. Next, cut the length of twine you need. Attach the twine to your filigree globe.
Screw your cup hook in place. Hang your filigree globe.
(Optional) Screw in more cup hooks for additional places to hang your jewelry. Remember to first create starter holes before screwing in the cup hooks so that you do not split the wood.
Display your amazing product!

D.I.Y. Antique Printer Drawer Jewelry Display

March 28, 2012D-I-Y-Samantha Extance1 Comment

I am obsessed with antique printer drawers! They are perfect for displaying jewelry as well as other small bits and bobs you might collect and wish to show off. On Etsy there are several sellers who have upcycled printer drawers for the purpose of jewelry display. Most sellers' prices are steep but of course this depends entirely on the condition of the drawers and the amount of work that converting them requires. I bought all 4 of my drawers for $100 at a local antique shop (each drawer came with a complete set of letterpress letters, numerical signs, punctuation & symbols). If you're local to Tulsa, you should drop by Sidedoor Antiques (located on Harvard Avenue between 15th and 21st street). Be sure to tell William I said hello!

Once you have found your drawer, then comes the hard part--cleaning, decorating, and fitting your drawer with cup hooks. This D.I.Y. is broken down into 3 parts. (Believe me, you won't get it all done in 1 day!).

Part One: Cleaning Your Drawer

This part is the most time consuming. The older your drawer, the chances are the dirtier it is (after all--they do contain letterpress parts that were frequently used and slathered with ink).

Cleaning Supplies:

Method All-Purpose Disposable Wipes (Normally I would not suggest disposable anything, if you're like me you use rags for cleaning made from old socks and worn out clothing; however, cleaning each of the drawer's cubbies takes up a ton of rags (more than I had) and I did not want to just spread around dirt and ink--so just this once, use some wipes. Also with wipes, you do not run the risk of over-saturating your drawer with water.)
Vacuum cleaner
Razor blade
Wood polish & rag

Steps:

1) Using your vacuum cleaner, suck any loose dirt, dust, or lint from each cubby.

2) Once you are done, use a razor blade to scrape out the paper lining underneath each individual cubby. If your drawer does not have paper lining, then you can skip this step. If yours does, you should remove it. Each of my drawers had moldy paper lining because it had been wet at some time and not thoroughly dried out. If your drawer does have mold, please take care to cover your mouth and nose with a mask and wear gloves to protect yourself.

3) Once you've scraped away the paper lining, vacuum out the paper. Tweezers can be useful if you have paper that is stuck underneath the wood dividing the cubbies.

4) Wipe each individual cubby with a disposable wipe. Make sure to clean all four sides and the bottom of the drawer's cubby. Also wipe down the sides, bottom, and back of the drawer.

5) After your drawer has dried a bit, wipe down each cubby and the drawer's back and sides with wood polish.

Part Two: Decorating Your Drawer

These are just a couple of suggestions on how to decorate your drawer! Have fun with it!

1) Paint the cubbies with chalkboard paint (or any other kind of paint you like). Two of mine are chalkboard painted (another obsession)--I have fun writing little messages in each of the cubbies.

2) Line each cubby with cut-outs from old magazines, books, postcards, or vintage fabric scraps using modge podge.

3) Keep it natural and seal your cubbies with modge podge wood sealant for a natural sheen that protects your wood!

Part Three: Fitting Your Drawer

What is wonderful about converting your own drawer is customization. You can add cup hooks anywhere you wish. The drawer can be mounted on the wall or stand on your vanity table. Decide where you'd like to place your drawer and then begin to measure your drawer's dimensions so that you can fit it with the appropriate hardware.

Supplies You'll Need to Mount Your Drawer on the Wall:

flat brackets
screws (that fit into your bracket and do no exceed the depth of your drawer's wood)
screwdriver or drill
awl
measuring tape

Supplies You'll Need for a Freestanding Drawer (on the Vanity):

L-shaped brackets
screws (that fit into your bracket and do not exceed the depth of your drawer's wood)
screwdriver or drill
awl
measuring tape

For both kinds of drawer displays you will need cup hooks (or any other kind of hook you desire). Cup hooks are the easiest. The size depends entirely on your drawers dimensions.

Steps:

1) Measure your drawer's dimensions. Start first with its width (A) and height (B). Next measure its depth (C) and the width and height of each cubby (D). Not all of your cubbies are the same width and height so be sure to make note of that. Record each of your measurements.

2) Count how many cubbies your drawer has and record the number along with your other measurements. For the printer drawer I use as display for my business I only put one cup hook per cubby so that each pair of earrings or bracelet could be more easily seen. For my personal printer drawer (the one I use to hold and display all of my jewelry that I wear) I put 2 cup hooks per cubby where I could so that the drawer could increase its holding capacity. This is a choice that's up to you.

3) Using your screws and screwdriver, attach your brackets to the back of your printer drawer. I recommend attaching the bracket to a thicker part of your drawer for more stability. Obviously, if you are mounting your drawer on the wall--keep in mind how it will hang and likewise, if you are standing it up on your vanity, how it will stand when your brackets are in place. It's best to mark the spots where you'll want to screw in your brackets with pencil first before drilling. (You can also lean your drawer up against the wall if your prefer, as is pictured in BlueBirdHeaven's photo above).

4) Once your brackets are in place, use your awl and start a hole in each individual cubby and then screw in your cup hook. Repeat (many, many times). You may also want to use a pair of flat nosed pliers to help you screw in the cup hook.

Part Four: Enjoy!

Have fun putting all of your jewelry & tiny bric-a-brac in your new display! As always, Happy Making!

D.I.Y. Book Display

January 27, 2012D-I-Y-Samantha Extance1 Comment

I like to use antiques and things I can upcycle and re-purpose to display my jewelry. As many of you probably already know if you have seen my booth at local craft shows--I have antique printer drawers, an old door that I use for a table, a shutter, and a wood kitchen drawer that I refurbished for display purposes. This display came about when I was thinking up creative ways to display my jewelry in a new shop that is opening up here in Tulsa. I am happy to be a part of Made; The Indie Emporium shop, located on the corner of 5th & Boston (the grand opening is February 1st & I hope to see you there!). I loved making these displays and I hope you will too!

Materials & Tools:

screwdriver; scissors; needle & thread; 2 books (1 to use as the display and the other to use as an anchor); cup hooks (white); Sharpie marker; awl; brads; lace; buttons; all-purpose glue; 1 pkg. of corner braces with screws (mine are 2 1/2" x 5/8") but really this just depends on the size of your book

What is great about this DIY is that it is simple and elegant while also being incredibly cheap to reproduce. I purchased the books for 50 cents each at a used bookstore, the lace was 50 cents in a bargain bin, the buttons were free! (I collect lost buttons, they are everywhere you look!), cup hooks 89 cents per pkg. of 5, and the corner braces came in a pkg. of 4 with the screws and only cost $3.95 at Lowes, and lastly a large pkg. of 20 brads were on sale for 76 cents--which brings me to a grand total of $7.10.

Steps:

1) Before doing anything, first figure out which pages you would like to have your book display opened on. I read mine to make sure that there wasn't anything a potential customer might find offensive (like expletives, racy scenes, or racial/ethnic slurs). Also, measure (eyeball it) to make sure that the screw (that you will fix in the middle of the top page of your book display to keep it securely open) can go through all of the pages that you have opened your book to. See figure below for clarification.

You want the screw to go into the book cover otherwise the book pages will fall down once you place jewelry on it.

2) Once you have done this, measure and cut your lace to fit the top page of your book display. Your lace should wrap around to the other side of the book page to hide unsightly unraveling and seams. I suggest sewing 2-4 pages together (depending on your paper quality and its thickness) so that there is less of a chance of tearing the pages while you are sewing your lace in place. Too few pages and it's too flimsy to sew easily and too many pages leads to more paper tears because you are tugging at your stitches more.It helps to pin your lace in place on the book page.

3) Once you have your lace pinned in place, sew it. Try to keep your stitches small, even, and neat.

4) Next, place your buttons on the bottom book page of your display. I pinned mine in place (which is optional). You could sew as you go if you choose. Sew your buttons in place. Again, sew 2-4 pages together for maximum ease. 5) (Optional) Use your marker to write your business name or a cute phrase on the bottom page of your book display. You could also stamp a design on your page or doodle in the margins. Anything goes, have fun with it!

6) Once you are finished with decorating your display, it's time to fasten the display book to your anchor book. Place your anchor book underneath your display book. Grab one of your corner braces and place it up against the back cover of your display book situating the screw holes tightly against both the back cover of your display book and the top cover of your anchor book. See the image below for clarification. Once you have the corner brace places, take your Sharpie marker and mark each screw hole. Repeat for the other corner brace.7) Next, take your awl and poke a hole directly through the marks you made for your screw holes on both covers. When poking a hole in the display book cover, be sure not to go through your book pages--just the cover. 8) Once you have made all of your holes, take 2 brads and use them to fasten your corner braces to the display book. (You are putting the brad through the screw hole, book cover, and then opening the ends to hold the corner brace in place). The picture here is upside down, but you get the idea.

9) Next, take 2 screws and screw them in place (through the hole you poked through the anchor book cover). You know when you're done because the display book will feel more secure (essentially, it will no longer slide or fall closed but remain upright). 10) Turn your display book around so that it is facing you. Using your awl, poke tiny holes (starter holes) in your top book page for your cup hooks. And then, screw your cup hooks in place. I recommend alternating which cup hooks you screw in so that the page does not ripple or become uneven. For instance, I had 5 total cup hooks so I screwed in the 1st hook and then the 3rd and 5th, and afterwards, the 2nd and 4th hooks.

11) With the display book still facing me, I lifted up my lace, and using my awl made a starter hole in the very middle of the top page for my screw. Then I took a screw and secured it in place using my trusty screwdriver.12) Once I was done, I cut a circle out of a scrap book page to cover the screw and glued it in place.13) Now comes the fun part--splaying your jewelry across the page and hanging it from the tiny cup hooks! For a layered look, stack books underneath your display to create height and use different angles.