Help Me Think Outside The (Tool) Box

Forums: Jewelry Storage
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My husband needs a case for storing jewelry, preferably with lots of little drawers, lockable, and not too big to carry around. A fishing tackle box would be ideal except that every one we've seen has been plastic. Plastic gives off gases like sulphur which tarnishes silver so that's a big no-no. A metal tool box might work with some modifications (dividers, etc) but, well, they look like a toolbox and are often in-your-face colours. I'm thinking there must be a trade out there that uses non-plastic storage cases for small parts that would make an ideal storage/display case for jewelry. Anyone have any ideas?

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I used a plastic tool box with pull out drawers. It is not lockable. I did not know about the fumes and the damage to silver. All my drawers are lines with fabric, however. A very laborious thing to do, but it has worked out just fine.

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@sullyfish6,

Thanks sully. So the plastic didn't affect the silver? (Finishing and buffing is his least favourite part of jewelry making.)

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I do some of my best thinking in the shower...so I'm going to go look up sewing baskets and picnic baskets -- really.

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You need a fishing tacklebox!

Here's one from eBay:

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww277/Gunpowder11409/WM%201209/april3-21010/6.jpg

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww277/Gunpowder11409/WM%201209/april3-21010/10.jpg

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@boomerang,

It looks like it's metal! Perfect. I guess I need to look "used" -- none of the new ones I've seen are metal. Thanks Boomer.

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Fly boxes would work too -- they're what fly fishermen store their flies in.

Here's one:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EwQqP5SbL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Google aluminum, tackle box, fly box and you'll find some new stuff!

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@boomerang,

Thanks again, Boomer!

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@Tai Chi,

Probably want to line the metal trays. Two different metals in contact with each other is a recipe for oxidation.

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@DrewDad,

Oh definitely. Don't want anything scratched either. (I've been checking out wooden sewing boxes too. And old silverware chests would be great since they're lined with anti-tarnish cloth.)

Just asking here for ideas has got me thinking outside the box. Thanks everyone.

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@Tai Chi,

Tai Chi wrote:

And old silverware chests would be great since they're lined with anti-tarnish cloth.)

That was going to be my suggestion...

Good luck!

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@Tai Chi,

Tai Chi wrote:

I do some of my best thinking in the shower...

OMG, me, too! Laughing

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Your really not looking for boxes, you're looking for bags. Cloth. Every silversmith I've ever known, that's two Razz

, kept their wares in bags made of velvet. Velvet is cheap to buy and easy to sew, so I'm told, both of these people either made their own or found someone to sew a few up for them.

They also used anti-tarnish "strips" they bought at the supply stores. (The same place they bought the clasps and joiners and such. As well as those little sacks of white stuff, desiccant(?), to absorb the moisture out of the air.

Joe(you can always put bags in boxes)Nation

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@Joe Nation,

I can see needing to be able to use the box for display - and putting the jewelry in nice bags for carrying out and for keeping at home.

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What about something like this?

http://storyconnection.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/organization-master-bedroom-jewelry-2-10-08.jpg

I found it here on this home organizing blog:

http://storyconnection.net/blog/tag/cleaning/

Here's what was written about the case:

Quote:

"Jewelry organizer" If you have a lot of jewelry pieces, consider a jewelry chest or armoire to organize your jewelry. Another way I like to organize my jewelry is to store sets in small zippered bags (I found mine in the craft section of Wal-Mart). Then I slip the bags into a zippered CD storage case (with four CDs to a page). When I want jewelry, I just flip through the pages and pick the set I need. When I travel, I transfer a smaller amount into a small zippered CD case with single CD pages.

Rather than using the little plastic ziploc baggies, you could go to a fabric store and get some soft felt or cotton and make little fabric envelopes with fabric glue or your sewing machine.

Maybe something like these anti-tarnish bags would work if you don't have the time to make something yourself. These are six inch square and $9 each. Or, purchase the polishing cloths below this item and make the envelopes out of them:

http://southwestaffinity.com/images/jewelrybag.jpg

http://southwestaffinity.com/clean.htm#Anti-tarnish%20Cloth%20Jewelry%20Bags

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@Tai Chi,

Tai Chi wrote:

display case for jewelry

http://www.showcasestogo.com/

not inexpensive, but it covers the requirements

and from etsy

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41687023

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@Butrflynet,

Then there are jewelry salesmen's cases - I just looked at this one place. Can't tell what all the stuff of made of, but possibly fabric:

http://www.nilecorp.com/products.asp?sku=883%2D1

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@ehBeth,

more from the same etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NotableNotions?section_id=5437998

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I hate sewing above all womanly pursuits <sigh> but I suspect JoeN is correct. There will be sewing in my future.

osso's hit the nail on the head re: display though. It would be nice to have something that opens up and displays a number of pieces without going into a big production. Extras can be stored in special plastic bags that don't off-gas.

Buttrflynet we keep a photo album of jewelry pieces so if something sells a potential customer can request another be made. Interesting idea though -- I've never seen that before.

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Thanks osso and ehBeth. (I never even thought of looking at Etsy -- d'oh!)

This conversation just came up over breakfast this morning so early days. He could so easily build something but he needs the time.

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