Sorting your jewellery box

Wherever you keep your jewellery, it's good to have a sort out occasionally - well mind does anyway. Currently and for no real reason I keep my jewellery, new, cherished and sentimental, in three areas - a posh box  my husband bought me, a trinket bowl and a pretty floral box that came with stationary in many years ago.

To be honest I like a box, any pretty or colourful box, for storing things, with draws and compartments, however I tend to use most of the jewellery from the trinket bowl for easy access. It doesn't matter whether you display your jewellery (more on fab storage in another post) or keep it tidily in a draw every now and then a good look through reminds you of forgotten treasures.
Also a sort out can help make space for a couple of new pieces or a long awaited up date to your jewellery wardrobe.


As I sort through my haul I notice I have several items that need a gentle polish, a knotted chain that needs undoing and a few broken pieces too.

First I sort all the contents into three groups ( you may need a soft cloth on a table for this)...
- clean and keep
- mend
- recycle/re gift
The first group is easy, a little polish or gentle wipe with a soft cloth  to bring back the shine and back in the jewellery box it can go.

This is the 'special 'cloth I use to remove tarnish on gold, silver  or plated metal. (Soon to be available from our Kirkharle shop). My posh jewellery box has compartments for rings, earrings and necklaces/bracelets so that's simple to organize.
As I make jewellery some of the mending is simple for me, however I would still take a more valuable gold item to a goldsmith to be properly mended.

Finally those unwanted or out dated trinkets could gain a new lease of life if you take them to pieces and make something new ( I know easy for me to say). You could find a class for recycling jewellery or beads and have a fun day out with a friend, creating something new while learning a new skill.
Alternatively you could have your friends over one evening with their unwanted jewellery and have a swap party, a little wine and a catch up, what could be better.

You can also recycle your jewellery  at charity shops or through charity jewellery collections, where you send your items in a prepaid envelope (like an old mobile phone) to raise funds for a good cause. Remember old, even broken gold or silver jewellery can be sold for cash - for you -  to spend on...more jewellery!

Travelling with your jewellery.

Its July and many of us may be thinking of taking a holiday. I thought I'd find a few great ways to take our jewellery with us!
Last month on a short break I only took a small amount of jewellery with me in a new coin purse.

This kept everything safe and secure. I did put the stud earrings into a little grip seal bag to keep them separate. Also because they are so small they won't be lost or dropped in their own packet.

All this got me thinking... what else could you use to take your jewellery with you?? Of course this depends on how long you are going for and how much jewellery you like to have with you.

For a short break like mine you could just wear simple gold or silver  jewellery that will be great with everything, no need to carry more or worry about how to pack it.

For small amount, apart from my coin purse, you could use a jewellery presentation box that sometimes comes with a new piece of jewellery. These boxes generally have 'snap' shut lids that will keep your jewels safe, especially as they are generally have a hard shell and sometimes a pad to attach your necklace or earrings to.

Inexpensive fashion jewellery could just be wrapped carefully in tissue and put in a small make up bag in your suitcase. You may however want to keep more valuable or precious jewellery with you. My jewellery box at home has a small removable carry box inside  for taking larger amounts of items with you.

You could use any soft lined bag or pouch. Look around your home for inexpensive or reusable boxes or containers.

 My main tips are:
1. Keep it as small as your jewellery allows,
2. Hard enough or padded to protect the jewellery within and
3. Always keep precious( to you) jewellery with you as you travel, well concealed (unless you are wearing it.)

For me the packing always adds excitement for the holiday to come.
Finally here is an idea for carrying your earrings, I really like this jewellery book!

 

Little Book Of Earrings

Next time...Sorting your jewellery box.

Just a quick note to start off my blog. This is all new to me and yet is quite exciting as I have lots of jewellery topics to write about. I hope you will find them interesting, maybe informative and helpful too.
As it is July I begin to write in I would like to tell you that traditionally this months birthstone is Ruby. There are a number of variations on each months stone although the predominant colour of July seems to be red, from  a deep pink ruby red to a rich orangey red. (More about the history of birthstones in another post.)
So even if your birthday is not in July you could choose to wear a lovely Ruby or Carnelian or even a stunning red glass bead necklace to celebrate this vibrant summery colour of the month.

Next Time...Taking your jewellery on holiday! 

Don't forget you can visit my Etsy shop at anytime.