How To: Recycle a Cardboard Box Into a DIY Earring Holder

Are your <a href="http://www.ecouterre.com/7-green-jewelry-gifts-to-make-seasons-bright/">earrings</a> tangled in a mess on your bureau or scattered about your bathroom cabinet? If you have twenty minutes and a few simple household items on hand, you can quickly and easily <a href="http://inhabitat.com/diy/">craft yourself</a> a mod earring holder from a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/recycled-cardboard/">recycled cardboard box</a> in only eight simple steps! By choosing your favorite colors and materials, you can add a funky accent to your closet or match your new earring holder to your bathroom decor.

Step One: Gather materials. • Lid from a sturdy cardboard shoebox or similar box • Stapler • String, yarn, lace, ribbon or embroidery thread in assorted colors • Glue • Double-sided tape • Fabric large enough to cover the cardboard box lid (you can also use fabric cut from a used shirt, sheet, or scarf here!) • Needle and thread • Measuring tape or ruler • Assorted buttons or large beads • Glue

Step Two: Prep Cardboard Lid. Make sure the lid you chose is well glued and sturdy. We used packing tape to reinforce the corners and inside edges to make sure no part could come loose.

Step Three: Measure and cut your fabric. Measure the length and width of your lid and add a couple inches to each side to ensure that you have enough fabric to fold underneath the rim of the box lid. Cut your your fabric and iron it smooth since this part will make up the front of your earring holder.

Step Four: Position your fabric. Place a few pieces of double sided tape on the top side of your lid and position the fabric evenly, pressing down in the center of the lid to stick the fabric on well. Carefully flip the box over and make sure the fabric is even.

Step Five: Attach the fabric to the lid. Apply a small bead of glue all around the inside rim of the lid. Carefully and neatly fold one edge of the fabric at a time over the edge of the box lid and staple it on. When the glue dries, this will also ensure the fabric is attached firmly.

Step Six: Choose your favorite contrasting colors of string, ribbon, yarn or lace. We used yarn in our earring holder. Cut out several feet of each color and begin wrapping it firmly around your lid, knotting it tightly in the back. Criss-cross several colors or even several different materials - mix lace and yarn - around your new earring holder. Each horizontal loop will provide a space for earring hooks.

Wrap contrasting string or ribbon, continued.

Step Seven: Add buttons. Choose several contrasting buttons or beads. Using your needle and thread, carefully attach the buttons at the junctions of your yarn or ribbon. This is decorative but also anchors the string tightly to the lid and the fabric, creating a stronger area to hang heavier earrings.

Step Eight: Prepare your new earring holder for hanging. You can place two thumbtacks into the wall and simply hang the lid directly. You can also staple a length of string or ribbon to the top edge of your new jewelry hanger as shown in order to hang it from a hook.

View of finished earring holder.

Add earrings and enjoy your custom-designed new recycled jewelry organizer!