Necklace Display Tutorial

okay, so my long awaited first ever tutorial! i have been looking for a way to display necklaces, especially my new asymmetrical designs. i had a home show last weekend and i became more aware than ever, just how important the right display is for selling your wares!

when talking to my marketing partner, we decided that while we did, indeed, need necklace displays, we were certain we did not want your typical store necklace displays. we really wanted something that would evoke the same vintage flair as the designs themselves. i was certain i could make some small paper mache busts with vintage news print. however, when i went to price the styrofoam i was going to use as a base for my creation, i realized that this idea was not a viable option....so, i cruised around Joanne's Arts and Crafts for awhile, and happened upon the unfinished wood products....and my new idea started to take shape!

the materials needed for this project (this is for 6 necklace displays)

6 random unfinished wood plaques (the 5 x 7 ones shown here were $1.29 at joanne's, and go up to $4.99 for the 8x10 inch ones)...my goal is to have 20 to 30 of them done by beginning of november for art shows, home shows, and fair season!

either modge podge or other collage adhesive....either glossy or matte

a sealant...i like krylon's matte sealant

a couple of paint brushes...one small, one large

papers for you decoupage.....scrapbooking, vintage newsprint, whatever strikes your fancy

or~ instead of papers, a solid paint, black or ivory would be great backgrounds for many creations!

thumbtacks....i purchased mine off of joann's dollar rack...you need 2 for each display

nails....i just used ones i had around the house....and i used BIG ones so i can pull them out easily for after show packing....you will need 2 for each display

start by taking your unfinished pieces of wood and decide what designs you want. i used the vintage newsprint. you could also just paint them....prior to painting, just give a light sanding and dusting. for newsprint or paper, measure out the front, back and side pieces. i did this by just laying my plaque down and drawing around the piece. instead of cutting with scissors, i hand tore my edges.

then, coat your wood plaque with your decoupage adhesive. you want it to stick well, so you want to be generous; however, too much will cause the paper to buckle. if you want to get really down and dirty with the project, use your fingers to smooth out the paper as you apply the adhesive....

let your first piece dry as you continue this step with the remainder of your wooden plaques.

once this step has been completed on all, and the back and fronts of pieces are dry, take alittle more time to make the edges concise. my wooden plaques are sortof a bevel edge, so i took my small paint brush and really got the newsprint into all the nooks.

next....after entirely dry...you will want to put a layer of your adhesive on the outside of the piece. this is to just ensure all edges are glued down and help make the design durable. i would let these dry for a couple of days...especially if its at all rainy or humid. then, spray each with a light coating of the sealant of your choice!

then, after your final sealant is dry, place your tacks at the top left and top right corners on the back of the piece. these tacks are going to hold your necklace in place...i just wrap the chain around them...so you want to purchase tacks that will work with your jewelry designs.


then take your nails and place them at the intended bottom of display, on the back. you want to measure to make sure they are placed pretty much even so that the display won't sit wonky....and lightly tap them into place with your hammer. i used some huge finishing nails, as they were what i had around the house. they are easy for me to pull out of the wood, so that i can easily lay displays flat in my suitcase when packing before and after shows. depending on your table you use for display {or in my case when i occasionally use the hostess's table at a home show} you may want to wrap the end of your nails with felt and a drop of glue to prevent any table scratching...just something to keep in mind! better to do it at this stage, than have to apologize for a big hairy scratch later! ;)

finally, you are ready to display your necklace on your new display stand. i think by mixing up the sizes and types of finishes, you can draw added depth to you show table layout. also, by using different colors, it allows customers to see how your designs might work with the colors they have in their wardrobe, thus hopefully increasing the number of units you sell!

also, on larger displays, you could add more tacks to the back to display a layered look of your pieces, also promoting multiple sales! Remember to be engaged with your customer, so that you can help pull the piece quickly from the display for them to play with....we know that the first step to selling is to get it into their hands!

i hope you have fun with this tutorial, and feel free to email me if you have any questions at thegaudygoddess@kc.rr.com

many blessings, deborah