Jewelry Chic

I can't remember which blog I got this idea from, but I'm so glad I remembered it!  (If you happen to know, please let me know so I can give credit)  My jewelry "heap" has now gone to jewelry "chic"...

My "before" makeshift jewelry organizer

and the ensuing knots that inevitably happen when storing your jewelry in said manner- ugh!

But look what happens when a little free time and inspiration hit:

so much more aesthetically pleasing, don't ya think?

all I did was use a couple of branches from outside and some nails, and voila!

(I originally had cuter, thicker branches but they proved especially difficult to get the darn nails through)

It was so fun getting out all of my jewelry and shining it up all nice and pretty (I took a photo of the jewelry cloth I used to show you all how bad things had gotten, but you'll thank me for my last minute decision not to post it- it was really disgusting)! 

Each piece of jewelry sort of  retold its story to me while I was polishing it.  Like the two elephants kissing ring that an exboyfriend used to hold together a scroll of  paper asking me out to our first date (an old style circus); I'm a sucker for elephants.  Or the chunky, all-silver ring that I learned how to cast when I was student teaching.  And the cute little owl ring I snagged for $2.95 at Forever...(er, hmm)32.

If I told a story about each piece, this would be a very long post, so I'll spare you.  But each piece is certainly special in its own, unique way.  How about you?  Do any of your pieces speak to you?  In what way?  I'd love to hear about it!