How to Make a Decoupaged Wooden Plaque Jewelry Holder

I freelance over at Crafting a Green World, an eco-friendly crafting blog. Every now and then, on a non-regular basis, I'll share one of my favorite tutorials with you..

...such as this one! I originally published this decoupaged wooden plaque jewelry holder over here on Crafting a Green World.


 

Want a lovely way to display a few special pieces of jewelry without having to make even more room on your crowded dresser? Why not hang them from this handmade, decoupaged jewelry holder made from a wooden plaque? Here's what you'll need to make this super cute--and super useful!--project:

• Wooden plaque. You can buy these new from craft stores, although you'll want to be aware of the provenance of store-bought wood. An even better option is a thrifted wood plaque--I dare you to find someone's old commemorative award plaque and make it over!
• Acrylic paint. Both craft and artist's acrylics work for this project. Use whatever you like!
• Paper to decoupage. For this particular set of wooden plaque jewelry holders, I'm using comic book pages (in case you haven't figured it out yet, I loooove to craft with comic books!). Scrapbook paper is another great choice, especially as it tends to be acid-free, but I wouldn't let a worry about archival-quality paper confine you from the really cool paper of your choice.
• Mod Podge and paintbrush. This is all the glue you'll need for all parts of the project. Mod Podge rocks!
• Cup hooks. These little hooks are cheap to buy and easy to screw into your plaque.

1. Paint the sides of the wooden plaque. If you're upcycling a wooden plaque that has previously been sealed or varnished, you'll likely have to prime the plaque, or at least sand it before you can paint it the color of your choice. You only need to paint the sides, as the front will be covered by your paper, but there's no harm in painting onto the top edge, as I did.

  

2. Fussy-cut the image for the front of the plaque. To get the correct template for the front of the plaque, I lay a piece of paper--usually, the paper that I'll be using--over the front of the plaque, and then press my fingernail along the edge of the plaque, creasing the paper in its exact outline. When that is done, all I have to do is cut along the creases, and I'll have a perfect template of the plaque's front! Make sure that the placement of any design on your paper is exactly where you'd like it to sit on the plaque before you cut.

3. Glue the paper to the front of the plaque. Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the plaque, and then place the paper. Wipe away any excess glue from the edges of the plaque.

  

4. Screw in the cup hook. Store-bought wood plaque blanks are made of wood so soft that you can easily screw a cup hook in by hand. If you're upcycling a plaque made from harder wood, pre-drill the hole, then screw the hook in by hand.

  

5. Seal the paper with several layers of Mod Podge. Mod Podge will seal the surface of the paper, make it wipeable, and, if you choose the glossy kind, make it shiny!

  

 I LOVE the way that these decoupaged plaques look as jewelry holders; group them and hold all of your necklaces and bracelets, or just mount one or two among the rest of your wall art and turn your very favorite pieces into your new favorite display!