How to Recycle Twigs Into a Jewelry Hanger

The most common ways to recycle dried twigs is to weave them into wreaths, insert them in floral arrangements, paint them into miniature Christmas trees or chip them for the compost heap. Here's one creative way to recycle those twigs you've pruned from your garden: turn them into a jewelry hanger. This all-natural decorative hanger for your bracelets and necklaces is very useful and extremely easy to make. Here are the steps.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dried twigs and branches
• Large vase
• White sand or decorative pebbles
• Your favorite jewelry

1. 
    
   Gather materials.

   Check the twigs to ensure they are clean. Brush away dead bark, dust, dirt or any insects attached to the branches.

2. 
    
   Arrange twigs in the vase.

   Arrange the twigs in the vase. Imagine the jewelry you will be hanging on the branches. Strive for balance.

3. Designate thin branches for earrings. Thick main stems and branches do well for heavy necklaces. Regular, short sub-branches are great for bracelets, anklets and rings.

4. Prune or trim off branches that are too long. It's better to have many short sub-branches to hang your jewelry from than long branches, which will droop with the weight of your pieces.

5. Pour sand or pebbles into the vase to set the twigs in place.

6. Take the stand to its intended location and hang your jewelry as you please.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider spray painting the twigs to match your room décor. Polyurethane spray will give the twigs a seal and a shine while showing off their natural colors.
• Use a large, heavy vase to prevent toppling.
• Unleash your creativity--instead of a flower vase, use a clay pot, a decorative box or anything that will hold your jewelry display in place.
• If you're into handmade jewelry, consider using this twig hanger for displaying your creations and items for sale.
• The twigs in the above photos were pruned from a Crape Myrtle.
• Keep an open hanging jewelry display out of reach of children and pets.

Resources

• How Can I Recycle This? Tree Branches
• Jewelry Display Ideas

[diggitydogg]

on 12/1/2008 Very interesting idea. I may try this for a gift.

[iamageniuster]

on 10/20/2008 Great tips. Thanks for sharing. 5 stars!

[vikki9]

on 10/20/2008 Interesting thing to do with twigs. Thank you.