How to Unclutter Your Jewelry Box

Is your jewelry box a tangled, jumbled mess? Do you have trouble finding pieces that you want to wear? Do you actually have such a cluttered jewelry box that you have given up wearing jewelry?

This is what happened to me! I had a collection that kept building throughout the years to the point of overflowing. For about 5 years I rarely wore any jewelry because I couldn't find certain pieces; and, recently I decided to do something about it. I had a few problems along the way, so I would like to share this with you so that you can benefit from my mistakes and successes!

(All photos by SharpLee on HubPages.)

I suggest to first empty out the contents of your box onto an extra table, out of the reach of children and pets, and where you can leave everything if you are unable to finish decluttering and organizing that day. I emptied mine out on the carpet, then couldn't finish that day and had to pick it all up because the grandchildren were coming the next day. I also had my cat come and sit in the middle of everything!

After emptying the box, vacuum out or wipe out the box while it is empty.

Now you can separate all the items into different piles: broken jewelry, tangled jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, rings, brooches, items that don't belong, and trash. Yes, I actually found trash: old receipts, papers, string, old rubber bands!

Items that don't belong, for example, paper clips, buttons, glasses, coins, can be put in their own place such as paper clips in a desk, buttons with sewing supplies, coins in a change purse.

Tangled items can be set aside to work on later when you have time. Try using two needles to carefully separate small delicate necklaces that are knotted.

Broken jewelry can be repaired, thrown out, or sold for points on Listia.com, a trading site, that has a lot of crafters that would use the beads. No longer wanted baubles can be donated to charity or sold on Ebay.

I sold my high school and college rings at a store that buys gold. They were 10K gold. I also sold a silver chain at the same store. Warning: Do not sell if you are sentimental about them because you may regret it later!

Items that are special but no longer worn can be saved for children or grandchildren in another box.

Click on the link to find out more about Listia:

Large heavy necklaces can be hung on the outfit's coat hanger. I hung my kukui seed necklace with my Polynesian dress. Some brooches can be kept pinned to vests, sweaters, or blazers.

Too many necklaces, rings, or earrings can also be hung on jewelry trees, over the door and closet organizers, or put into trays in dresser drawers.

Now you should be able to put the rest of your favorite items back into your cleaned jewelry box in the various compartments, grouping in categories such as necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets, so that they can be easily retrieved!

Here is a photo of my improved and organized box. I am so delighted that I can now find what I want to wear and can see my favorite pieces!

In the long run, this will save me time and make "getting ready for the day" more efficient! I hope I have inspired you to organize your accessories!