The other day I got to wondering, how do you guys store your jewelry? I picked up a ceramic egg crate from The Container Store about five years ago and it has served as my “jewelry box” ever since. It’s perfect for containing my limited collection (I’m all about earrings, but I generally never have more than a dozen in rotation) and the finish works perfectly with my love of all things white and ceramic.
What you’re actually seeing above is my “night table” of sorts. Since we flanked the bed with two curtained wardrobes from Ikea, we each use one of the concealed shelves to house a few things that we typically grab before we hit the hay. Which explains that white ceramic bowl on the left. It’s actually just a bowl from the kitchen that I repurposed to store my contact case, face lotion, and lip gloss at arm’s reach. It’s kinda funny when you think that both of these handy storage items are really meant for the kitchen.
And you may wonder where my engagement ring and wedding ring go before bed, well, John and I actually sleep, shower, paint, and do everything else with ’em on. In fact, John’s ring hasn’t left his hand since I slipped it on at our wedding a year and a half ago (!) and mine only comes off about twice a year for an inspection at the jewelry store (to make sure nothing’s loose from all that constant wear). Is that weird? We know we’re definitely in the minority here (based on the strange looks we get from friends and family when we mention this fact), but we’re wondering if there are others like us out there. Come out of the woodwork fellow perma-ring-wearers and make us feel less strange!
But back to the jewelry storage subject at hand. Here’s how John’s sister Emily stores hers. She’s the lucky owner of a fabulous pull-out drawer with space for her extensive collection of baubles and bling (she also chose Ikea wardrobes for her master bedroom, but she opted for super modern frosted glass doors instead of curtains):
Are you green with envy? Cause I am. Would it not be amazing to be have so much space to store your stuff? Although I’m sure John’s thanking his lucky stars that I only have a little egg crate to keep my jewelry buying habit at bay. Now it’s your turn- tell us all about how you store your gems and jewels. From wooden boxes to cool display trees (like this one or this one from Urban Outfitters) we’d love to hear what works for you.
Check out a great DIY hanging jewelry box project here on Newlywedisms by Bryn.
Update: We’re not the only ones who love a white ceramic egg crate as a jewelry organizer! Our friends at Better Homes & Gardens featured this idea in their April 2009 issue.
Marissa says
My husband and I both wear our wedding rings constantly! We didn’t at first, but after I made my first trip home without my ring (I realized it as soon as I sat down in the train!), I’ve been wearing it constantly so I don’t forget. I do not wear my engagement ring all the time though. It is set up pretty high, and after damaging the setting once, I save it for going out and skip it during house work.
Swestie says
Sherry, I don’t USUALLY take mine off either. However, last week my diamond FELL OUT. I found it, just moments later, thank goodness. So points for you for actually getting your checked. Once I get mine fixed, I’ll start doing the same. But my husband never takes his off either. I could never even get away with trying to play single b/c I’ve got a permanent indention on my finger – even though I haven’t worn the thing in two weeks! Plus a tan line!
jbhat says
I love that egg dish. I had no idea that people took their wedding rings off at night. Why? What would happen to a ring on one’s finger overnight? I also feel naked without mine on, and never take it off, unless I am getting it cleaned–and since I am a lotion fiend, I should get it cleaned more often–but I just hate to take it off. It’s my wedding ring. So good for you and John too.
Karrie says
My hubby was a perma ring wearer, too, until he lost it in the lake. YES, the lake! It was cold and his finger shrunk and off it came. So now we have a rule…the rings stay home when we go to the lake. Otherwise, he still wears his all the time but I can’t sleep with jewelry on, so mine comes off at night and back on the following morning after my shower.
megan says
Your ceramic egg crate is great! I keep all my jewelry in a cloth tray I found at Tuesday morning and sits on a shelf in my closet.
As for our wedding rings, the hubby never takes his off. I take mine off in the evening and they go in the wood box they were presented in the day we got engaged. Otherwise, they are always on my hand.
Benedicte says
I have that same drawer from Ikea that your sister-in-law has and I love it, it is sooo practical! I have to say that I think your egg-crate is prettier though. :)
Katie says
Oh Sherry – I love the ceramic white goodness of your egg crate! And you jewelry looks like I might need to raid your closet – for tips on how to pair down and just pick fabulous pieces! Somehow tacky jewelry is attracted to me. I have a whole drawer of ‘madonna circa 1985’. ridiculous :)
Blair says
i consider myself a semi-perma-ring wearer. i take it off only for inspections and in the shower because i’m too afraid the soap will make it slip off my finger.
also, fair warning to all: i do NOT suggest you wear your rings in the ocean! my husband (a fellow perma-ring wearer until that day) lost his swimming. it just slipped off and he didn’t even notice. :(
laurajane says
I don’t know anyone who takes theirs off overnight-I too would be too scared! Mine comes off to wash dishes and goes into a little bowl I keep there for that reason. Other than that, I keep it on all the time.
My mom has never taken her wedding ring off her finger in her nearly 30 years of marriage. She’s actually demanding I get a plain (ie diamond-free) band when I get married in July so I too can never remove it (diamonds need to be cleaned).
Do a lot of people stop wearing their engagement rings once they’re married? I have read they do, but it would make me too sad to do so…
Cari says
I am getting married in September and I currently take my engagement ring off when I change for bed, while sleeping and then put it on when I am dressed in the morning. I also take it off when I clean etc. When we are married though I will not take my band off. Everyone should just do what’s comfortable for them. Love your site!
erin says
I have to figure out something fun and interesting for my earrings and bracelets, but this weekend I stole an idea from my mother and framed them. In the next day or so I will post about it on my blog, misseireann.blogspot.com. Basically what I did is I framed a piece of canvas onto which I had stitched five large interesing buttons, up near the top. I used the buttons with shanks on the back so there is depth to them, and I hang my necklaces from them. Then I hung it on the wall and viola, right at my fingertips. DH really likes it too because it is like artwork since the necklaces are so pretty and I like being able to see everything.
And I am not a perma-ring wearer… I feel like I do too much with my hands. (But you do too!) I don’t like cooking grease or dirty dishwater or paint or glue getting all over my ring. And I have also heard about not wearing engagement rings once you’re married, but I proudly wear mine – I would not dream of not wearing it! I love my engagemetn and wedding rings too much to not wear them.
Eve says
My Rings: I used to wear my rings 24/7. Until one day, my engagement ring diamond fell out while I was having dinner with my husband. I was 8 months pregnant, huge and slow. Yet at that moment, jumped onto the floor and retrieved the diamond with the agility of a jungle cat. My husband gave me a stare that was priceless (during that time he was always getting me this or that, so that I didn’t have to “exert” myself).
My Jewelery organizer: I found a piece of wood in the basement, rectangular in shape. I inserted a row of “cup hooks” on top and another row on the bottom. Then I found the most logical place to hang my masterpiece (inside my husband’s closet, hey I don’t want to give up my precious closet sq footage!)
Here is a picture: http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=152iyjtf.474hulm3&x=0&y=-uswx9b&localeid=en_US
Karen says
My husband & I wear our rings all the time as well. I’m glad to know there are others that do that too because I have gotten weird looks when it is mentioned. I keep my jewelry in little plastic craft boxes (like the ones to sort beads in) I travel quite a bit and it’s so easy to close the lid and go. I do, however, love the egg crate idea.
Sandra Jackson says
My husband and I never take our rings off either (except when I go to the jewelry store to have them checked or cleaned). It’s so weird when we have had them off. I was never really a ring person before we got engaged but now my hands feel so naked without them.
SoBella Creations says
I keep my jewelry in a box that I found at Holdeverything years ago. It has a double lid on top. And two drawers. I keep all my jewelry in the original box. I don’t really have a lot so this works for me.
Q says
I use two martini glasses for my earrings. they’re all dangling earrings so they hook really well at the edge of the glasses. they’re actually quite pretty :)
Jen says
So funny I’m reading this tonight, because I took my ring off for cleaning and have been having temporary freak-outs all day because it’s not on my finger. We leave ours on all the time too, except for major home work (don’t want rings ruined or fingers smashed!). You’re not alone!
As far as jewelry…I could definitely use a better solution. Half is hanging on a pretty little holder in my studio closet, and the other half is in our vintage wardrobe in the spare bedroom. Ay yi yi!
Rachel says
Not married yet but I wear my engagement ring constantly except when baking or washing my hair. I don’t plan to take my wedding ring off though once it is on. To me, taking the rings off is odd, not keeping them on.
Storage wise I have lots of boxes and dishes depending on the precious-ness of the jewellery.
Anne says
I love your egg crate idea, just like I love this entire site which I have been reading for a few hours after stumbling upon it. I use this cool wire Eiffle tower I found at Target to hang earrings on. It’s a great way to keep earrings out so I can remember what I have Oh and my parents have worn their wedding bands every day, except for occasional surgeries, for 28 years. I don’t think my dad’s can actually be taken off and I know that my mom’s wedding band cannot be removed without large amounts of soap and pulling.
Kim says
I store all my costume jewelry: earrings, rings, and inexpensive necklaces in ice cube trays that I picked up at Dollar Tree, 2 for $1. They aren’t pretty, but stack easily in my closet and keep everything organized. I think I saw that tip in Real Simple and it works well. All my “real” jewelry is in a jewelry box from Pottery Barn. I’ll also throw the costume pieces in there that I find are in more frequent rotation.
I wear my wedding ring almost all the time but usually take off my engagement ring at home so it stays clean and in good condition. I also have little soy sauce dishes by all my sinks to drop them in when I’m cooking, cleaning, washing my hands, or showering so I know right where they are without risking them falling off the counter.
natalie says
i am a big permanent jewelry wearer. i have this great white ceramic hand, with this cool vintage lacing, where i store my rings (and hoop earrings… short necklaces) on its fingers. there is also this little dish attached to it where i store small earrings. my mom used a ceramic hand when i was growing up and i always wanted one of my own! finally found one…i use an old jewelry box my grandfather gave me in 1995 to store jewels that i dont often wear. love the egg crate though. it would be good for my by the bed.
Michelle says
I love the pull out drawer and am completely jealous! I am a big fan of costume jewerly and have a lot of it, mostly from my Thrift Store finds. I hang all of my necklaces on a tie rack holder which is on a wall inside my closet, it works perfectly. I can see all of my necklaces, they do not get tangled, and easy access. I must admit this was actually my boyfriend’s idea :) Other than that I have a 3 drawer, rubber maid container that seperates, earrings, rings and braclets, and my perfume.
Sara says
Another perma-ring wearer here. I very rarely ever take mine off. Sometimes I slip them off to put on lotion or do something really messy, but for the most part they never leave my fingers.
Marelis says
I am always looking for GOOD jewelry storage. I think the egg crate is a great idea…especially for jewelry you use frequently. I feel like a lot of my jewelry gets ignored since I don’t see it on display! I definitely need to update my storage so I get more use of my items. I am a semi perma-ring wearer myself. I almost NEVER take it off….unless it needs to be cleaned. Here in NV my hands get very dry so I find myself taking them off a bit more often to apply lotion :)
Tran says
My friend hangs her bracelets on a mug tree like this: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/Family.aspx?c=4350&f=23897
Christina says
Hi! I came across your blog about a month ago and have been reading it religiously ever since! Which brought me to today’s post about organization (which I loved!), and then to this bit about jewelry storage! Two things:
– Love, love, LOVE your ceramic egg crate… gonna have to get one of those, along with the “tree” from Urban Outfitters which is now on sale for only $10! Score!
– My husband and I are also perma-ring wearers… mostly because if we take them off we’ll probably forget to put them back on! Just thought I’d let you know that we don’t think it’s strange at all!
Thanks for all the great inspiration… we have 2 kids in a tiny place with not much storage so I’m getting tons of ideas for hidden and even just prettier out-in-the-open storage for all our stuff! Can’t wait for your tips on paper organization!!!
Jamie says
My husband and I actually got married the day before you and John (our two-year anniversary is today!!!) and we rarely take off our rings. Chris actually lost his while we were tubing on a river in Georgia, and we ordered him a new one in a smaller size so it wouldn’t happen again. We take them off if we are going to be doing anything with caustic chemicals or stuff like that, but otherwise they’re just on all the time.
Now, my in-laws are another story. They have NEVER taken off their wedding rings. EVER. They have been married for thirty years, and my MIL has had four children and two surgeries, and that ring has never left her finger. It’s admirable in a way, but also kind of crazy!
Sevi says
My fiancé and I do not take off our rings neither! At all. Well he is working as a tour leader, travelling constantly and he has some sort of tan now with the ring mark!
Since our wedding bands are classic yellow gold and gold is a soft metal, there are a lot of scratches on mine already. Maybe I should go get it polished but I thought that I liked the scratches somehow the other day..
Emma Woo says
Hi, I just came across this post as I’m looking for a way to store both jewellery and hair stuff (v long hair=lots of accessories) and thought I’d share how my husband became a permanent non-ring wearer. We were married on the Saturday, hanging out on a beach in Scotland by Monday flying a kite. At the end of the day my husband looked down and realised he had lost his ring. Tide coming in, all is lost. He then admitted that he didn’t really like wearing a ring so now doesn’t. It’s a good job he is such a moral man and I can trust him not to pretend he’s single!
Jessica T. says
I LOVE your ceramic egg crate and am on a hunt to find my own!
My husband and I leave our wedding rings on our fingers at all times too. When we first got married we took them off to shower but we both kept forgetting to put them back on. While on our honeymoon we each had to dash back to the room on separate occasions to retrieve our rings that we left in the bathroom. After that, we agreed to leave them where they belong.
threadbndr says
I’m really enjoying your site!
I wore my wedding ring constantly and my engagement ring (and the matching ‘keeper’ that W gave me for our 10 yr anniversary) when I ‘dressed up’. That was the time to also wear the matching earrings he gave me when our son was born.
I was widowed in my 40s with our child still in high school, and for many years after his death I also wore HIS ring on my pointer finger (my mother wears my dad’s ring to this day and she was widowed over 20 years ago). I took them off when I was ready to contemplate a relationship again about a year ago. I hontestly still fell “naked” without them on.
Michelle says
I just got an aweseme old white shutter from a flea market this past week for $15. It is perfect for hanging hundreds of earings and still look chic in a room/bathroom! I added a few “S” hooks to hang necklaces and bracelets. It is leaning on the wall right now, waiting to be hung!
Krista says
Just a note on jewelry storage–I make a lot of jewelry and have found that it can be displayed as an art piece in any room. I use a large picture frame with the glass removed. Then I use a corkboard, cover it with batting and fabric, and attach it to the back of the frame. Hang the frame on the wall and use straight pins to display all of your necklaces and bracelets! Earrings can be hung directly from the fabric :o)
Stormy says
I have a great organizer that I use for necklaces and earrings, similar to the one shown here…
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000CNQZD
It has all these little pockets and is two sided. I just hang it over my closet door (it as a hanger on top) and it keeps things super organized. I have all of my “black” jewelry on one side and “brown” on the other.
Becca says
I had to convince my husband (before we were married) that the rings shouldn’t come off. The more often you take a ring off and put it *somewhere* the more likely you are to lose or forget it! His parents sleep without their rings off and take their rings off for a multitude of events (golf, dishes, laundry, just because) – whereas mine have not taken their rings off since they were married in 1974. I love the romanticism of that concept and made that clear to my husband – and he agreed (or he agreed to shut me up).
Now he only takes his off just to play with it while watching tv, on the computer etc…it never leaves his hands. And I take mine off when we’re out on the boat doing water sports just because I had everything sized BEFORE the wedding…then lost a few lbs after the wedding so it’s not all totally secure.
I know *to each his own* but to me it doesn’t make sense to take your wedding bands off for random daily work/hair washing/etc!
Amanda says
permawearer too. just like my mom. the only time I’ve seen her ring off her hand is when I’ve asked to try it on (same size). I’ve claimed it after she dies, I love her ring. I only take mine off to shower (because my hair catches between diamond settings), to put lotion on, to clean it, and when I’m kneading dough. My SIL hardly ever wears hers. and she spent a fortune on it. I see her more often with out it than with it, and I’ve never understood why someone wouldn’t wear their wedding ring! and I still can’t figure out why it buggs me either. :) Though, clean your ring yourself: one part Parson’s SUDSY ammonia to two parts water. Let sit for a while then do a quick go over with a toothbrush and rinse. Those were my jeweler’s instructions when we bought it.
Erin says
I love the egg container idea! All of your ideas are pretty friggin fab, if I must say so myself (I’m new to YHL, but I’m hooked already). Anyway, I felt compelled to share another idea that my artsy creative friend employs as a means of displaying and organizing (simultaneously – double bonus!) her gorgeous collection of earrings. Check it: she got an old wooden picture frame (I think), cut the mesh out of an old screen and measured it to fit into the wooden frame (like a photo would). Then, she mounted it on the wall of her bathroom and sticks the backs of her earrings through the mesh. And voila!
Katie says
I’m not married, but both of my parents wear their wedding rings most of the time. My mother only takes hers off when she’s doing dishes and my dad never took his off until recently when he broke his left ring finger and it had to be cut off! His finger is still swollen and according to the doctor will probably never be the same size so he has to get a new ring, but it is literally the first time in 22 years that he has been without it! So you guys are definitely not alone!!
Amanda says
I’m not married but the only time I’ve seen my mom take hers off is to knead dough. I’ve never seen Dad’s off his hand.
katie says
you’re not alone! my husband wears his ring constantly. i wear my wedding ring at all times except showering, washing dishes, and kneading or mixing by hand. my engagement ring i wore similarly, but since it features a pearl (much less durable than a gemstone) i could only get away with that during our short engagement, and now it’s a special-occasion ring.
boxes_crates says
I have not much time, but I’ve got many useful things here, love it!
caligurl says
permawearers here, too! i actually looked at the computer oddly when i read that people remove their rings to sleep, wash their hair, etc!???
i take mine off to clean it or have it cleaned/inspected and when i need to wear my boxing gloves for punching the heavy bag….. otherwise i wear it to clean, wash dishes, paint, workout out, biking, etc., etc., etc…..
also…. i can’t wear just my wedding ring as it’s soldered to my engagement ring (and isn’t really a standalone wedding ring anyways… it was made specifically to wrap around my engagement ring)
Korinne says
About the whole ring situation. Our jeweler actually told me to take it off as soon as I get home. For a girl who doesn’t wear ANY jewelry this isn’t hard for me! The reason for his directions is as he puts it, “Fabric is like sandpaper to prongs.” He said even if you had 5000 count sheets they’ll still (over time) rub down the metal on my ring causing my diamonds to fall out.
So…I do as I’m told. Considering the hubby spent WAAAAY more than he was allotted to. (which we’re still paying off to this day! GRRR!) I figure for such an expensive item I can marvel at it from afar while home snuggled up against my loving hubby.
Side note…he never takes his off.
Megan says
I know this is a really old post, but I just happened upon it as I was going through your How To section. I just solved my storage issue, and so far, it is working out well.
http://thesouthernnest.blogspot.com/2010/04/spring-cleaning-part-3-of-many.html
Sophie says
My parents have been married 21 years this year. My dad tries to keep his ring on all the time, but sometimes has to take it off if he’s at risk of damaging or losing it.
My mom’s not taken her ring off at all. They both have plain gold wedding bands so they’re easy to maintain. Seriously, in 21 years it’s not left her finger one (:
As for jewellwey storage, I have my own creative little solution. An Ikea blackboard. One half is a magnetic board while the other has a blackboard back with six little hooks on it and two shelves at the bottom. I think it was originally made to go in a hallway with the hooks aimed at hanging keys, but with me being a big bracelet fan, it serves its purpose well (:
Rachael says
I am just in the process of trying to redo my jewelry situation, so I was happy to find this post :) Thanks!
Oh and I wear my rings all the time as well. I sleep in them and everything. The only time I take them off is to get them cleaned and also to put on lotion because I don’t like how it gunks them up. My hubby takes his off all the time though, pretty much any time he’s working in his shop or in the yard.
Christyn says
I did a blog entry awhile back on jewelry holders as seen in my own home and in magazines :)
http://beadup.blogspot.com/2010/04/fashionably-friday-jewelry-holders.html
Shelley Weeks says
Hi Sherry!
Found your site whilst doing some research – I’m a jewellery box designer (yes we do exist!) and found this post and everyone’s comments really interesting – a great insight into how people are storing and displaying their jewellery.
Hope you don’t mind me using your comments section for this but if you or any of your readers have any other comments on jewellery storage I would love to hear from you all!
My email address in [email protected]
By the way I am a semi-permanent ring wearer – only taken off when I shower!
Thanks!
Shelley
x
Erin says
I was just browsing Anthropologie’s website and found they have an egg crate too! I’d had trouble finding one at the Container Store, but here’s the link in case any other YHL readers wanted one too!
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=HOME-KITCHEN-GADGETS&id=973774&catId=HOME-KITCHEN&pushId=HOME-KITCHEN&popId=HOME&sortProperties=&navCount=120&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=045&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=
Brayden Sanchez says
the best wedding ring that you could possibly give your wife is always a diamond ring’.”