O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how lovely are thy branches? Adorn with snow and mistletoe, diamonds, pearls from long ago….. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how will you tell my story?
I am not a frou-frou person, but I have admired jewelry Christmas trees forever. My dear friend Cathie had one that was mounted in a shadow box on lush red velvet, and it was framed in an ornate gilt frame with a hinged glass front. Cathie’s tree hung in her living room year-round, and the hinged glass front allowed her to easily remove pieces to wear. It was created from her mother’s jewelry, and much of it had a story behind it. Cathie was a descriptive storyteller, and no matter how often she pointed out a unique pin or earring and shared her family’s folklore, I was always captivated by her stories. I remember thinking as she entertained me that a jewelry Christmas tree was a marvelous way to pass on family history to children and grandchildren.
Where to start? Shop for jewelry grab bags in thrift stores or flea markets, or let’s face it, many of us find ourselves with more jewelry than we can sensibly wear. Add to that pieces passed down to us from our mothers and grandmothers, and we find our jewelry boxes overflowing. Why not let these beautiful, often forgotten gems who’ve been relegated to the shadows of our jewelry boxes tell our story? Mount them in a velvet-lined shadow box like my friend Cathie did, or tone it down and mount them on burlap like I have here. Bring it out during the holidays or give it a place of prominence where it can tell your story all year.
If Christmas trees aren’t your thing, create a floral topiary, a kitty cat, or a simple geometric shape.
Make a topiary if Christmas trees are your thing.
Start by placing your jewelry, vintage buttons, and assorted sewing notions on a burlap canvas until you like what you see. Take a photo to reference later, and use a sewing marker with disappearing ink to mark additional guidelines if needed.
Attach broaches with their own pin backs. Cut small slits through the burlap to slip clip earring through, clip or screw down the back to secure. Make the slits as small as possible. The earrings will stay in place more securely the smaller the slit. Fasten bracelets and necklaces with jewelry wire or sewing thread.
Vintage jewelry passed down from family that’s arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree can be the start of a family story telling event during the holidays.
Eyelets/grommets were installed to allow battery operated, miniature lights to shine through from the back of the canvas.
Eyelets/grommets were installed to allow battery operated, miniature lights to shine through from the back of the canvas.
You can embellish with vintage buttons, sewing notions, and velvet flowers or just keep it simple.
Add every piece of jewelry you own or keep it simple. It’s up to you. It’s your story.
