It’s not that I don’t already have a bunch of projects in the works.  Since I work by inspiration anything can happen.   Last weekend I had no shows or plans so I decided that I needed a project.  Something besides the laundry and cleaning.  Something that would show an end result and would fill my urge to create something that has no deadline and would just be something I could enjoy doing.  About all me – LOL!!!

My first job was to clear the 2 tables I have in the front room.   I was halfway through this project which involved putting things away, organizing the tools, and putting away the pieces of many different project that had been accumulating all summer.   How do I fit 8 scrapbookers in this room?   You would never guess that we would all fit.  Scrapbookers come with luggage (in case you didn’t know this – hehe).  It is amazing that I can fill up all this space all by myself.

So inspiration struck when I found this old drawer from a sewing table.  I had seen a jewelry display box on Etsy and couldn’t stop thinking about it.  So clearing the tables went to the bottom of the to-do list since I had created enough space to add another project.  I realized that I had the basic components for making it already stashed in my house.   Off I went to gather what I needed.

The black spool holder makes this drawer unique.  So I stood the drawer on end and the wheels of creativity started to spin.  I decided I liked the handle of the drawer on the top.   This gave me a direction.  So I decoupaged old sewing patterns on the inside of the drawer.   Then I added some color copies of antique sewing needle packages, button cards, and rulers.   I had done 2 previous projects with them but since I never know when to stop cutting there were still a bunch left.   Since decoupage dries quickly it made it easy to add to it each time inspiration struck as I walked by the table.   At the end of last weekend this is how it looked. 

Then I had to sand it.  Love my little Black & Decker Mouse.  I just purchased some new sanding pads for it online so I was ready to try them out. I rushed home from work on Monday to do this.   I lost the ruler on the bottom edge when the sander took over the project.  But it looked more rustic and worn after I was done so I was pleased.

 Here is the spool rack on the upper left hand of the drawer.

After all the sanding the edges were a little too light for my rustic look.   Timber Brown Ink by Staz On (available through Stampin’ Up! – see my link on the right) was perfect.  It’s the best color for adding that worn and antique-y look!

It seems that everytime someone gives me a bag of sewing stuff there are boxes of old sewing machine feet, adapters and pieces.  So I started attaching a few of them.   The more the project came along the more I could see jewelry hanging from every area.

One spool of thread just didn’t seem enough.  So I gathered a few spools plus a spool adapter from a trusty old Singer machine.   These were screwed into the bottom of the drawer.   This picture shows a good view of how the Timber Brown finished off the edges so nicely.  Buttons and feet were glued in for some added decoration.

So today I am calling this finished.   I will drill 2 screw holes so that the “Sew Altered Jewelry Drawer” can be attached to the wall.  This is one of those things that required finding a stud to insure that it stays on the wall. 

Can you picture this with necklaces draped from the spools and the adapter piece?   I see rings on the black spool holder.  Bracelets and more necklaces hanging from the cuphooks.  

This “Sew Altered Jewelry Drawer”  will be going with me to my art/craft shows.   My “Charming Again” necklaces will be displayed from it.   After much consideration I have decided that it will have a price tag on it too!   This was fun to create and I like the idea of recycling old sewing items into a useful and decorative accessory.   So many more ideas are running through my head as I write today.

As always, thanks for reading!  

I find joy in the little things so please leave a comment!