If you are like me, the biggest problem in collecting vintage costume jewelry was finding a safe place to store them, especially the rhinestone pieces. In the beginning it was quite easy to store the few that I had accumulated. I just purchased vintage jewelry boxes and placed them in those and placed the boxes in a dresser drawer and or stacked them on top of the dresser. As my collection grew so did my problem of not having enough dresser drawers or dresser top space to stack the jewelry boxes. Another problem with storing them this way was that I could not easily find the piece that I wanted to wear, even though I kept a list of what was in each box. Because in making the list I didn't take into consideration how long it would take to search the list and or the boxes for that particular item. To solve the problems I was having I first checked out the cost of the pre-manufactured stackable jewelry trays with the clear hinged lids and found that they were very costly. As I was not willing to pay the high cost I decided to try my hand at making my own. After several tries and more failures than I would like to admit to, I finally came up with the following stackable trays. They are constructed of matt board and Tacky glue with a piece of velvet covering the bottom of each compartment.  Each trays cost is approximately $2.00. A 32" x 40" sheet of matt board will make 4 - 12" x 16" x 1" trays.  Scroll down after the photos and you will find the directions for a 12" x 16" x 1" tray with 2" x 2" compartments, (see photo on the left). By changing the measurements to fit your dresser and or cabinet you can make any size you want. The compartments can be made to fit any piece of jewelry, such as a wide cuff bracelet which would take a 2" or more depth instead of a 1" depth. I have made several to store in my dresser. They measure 12" x 14" x 2" and are perfect for the wide bracelets. These trays may be placed in a dresser drawer or in a cabinet. I store them in both. My favorite is my old pie safe cabinet, (see photo below). Two stacks of 9 trays can be stacked on each shelf with plenty of room for air circulation and removing them. I place pieces of 12" x 16" matt board on top of each 9 tray stack to protect the top trays contents. After you have constructed a few of the trays it becomes easier and faster. I can usually construct 4 in an 1 1/2 hours now but the first ones took several hours.

1. Using a craft knife with a sharp blade and a cork backed ruler cut 1 - 12" x 16" piece of matt board for the tray bottom: 2 - 16" x 1" pieces for the tray sides: 2 - 12 x 1" pieces for the tray ends: 5 - 16" x 1" pieces for the horizontal dividers and 7 - 12" x 1" pieces for the vertical dividers. Cut the 7 - 12" x 1" pieces into 2" long pieces.

2. With a pencil and ruler mark a 2" grid on the bottom piece. These lines will be the placement for the matt board dividers that will form the compartments.

3. Using your Tacky glue, place a thin line of glue along the edges of  the 16" side pieces and spread it out with your finger. Wait a few seconds for the glue to set up then place and glue them along the side edge of the bottom making sure that the edges line up. 

4. To glue the ends repeat step # 3 but use the 12" end pieces. You will have to trim the end pieces off some, approximately 3/16" to 1/8" before glueing them. Try them first before you glue them to see how much they have to be trimmed. Let the tray dry for a few minutes then proceed to step # 5.

5. You will also have to adjust the length of the 16" divider pieces. Trim to fit the box horizontally. When you are satisfied with the fit, place the glue on the edge as you did for the sides and ends. Using your 16" horizontal line mark, glue the 5 horizontal divider pieces. Let set for a few minutes then measure, trim if needed and glue the 2" dividers into place.

6. Cut 48 2" x 2" squares of velvet or heavy soft fabric and glue inside of the compartments with just a dab of glue in the center of the square. (Use just enough to hold the fabric in place.)

7. Let the tray dry overnight before you place your jewelry pieces into the compartments as the glue does have moisture in it and if still wet when you place your jewelry into the compartments there is a possibility that some damage to your jewelry will occur.

I hope I have been of some help to you in storing your jewelry. Not only are these economical but very safe for your jewelry. I have had my jewelry, both costume and fine stored in them going on to eight years and have never had a problem with dust, grime, moisture or any damage to any of my jewelry. If you run into problems with constructing them and reading my directions please don't hesitate to contact me through my message box and I will get back to you as soon as possible.