I am a bit obsessed by necklaces – the chunkier the better. Not only do I buy them, I am often given great jewelry by my mom, my kids and believe it or not, Roger hits it on the chunky jewelry nose almost 100%. So keeping it organized is mostly about only keeping the things that I love, and moving the rest on. Here is how I keep my collection under control.

1. Get All Your Jewelry Together-  This is where you go through your bathroom, your closet, your jewelry box, your purse – everywhere that jewelry hangs out and hides. Get it all in one place so you and deal with it.
2. Use the 3 Boxes, 2 Bags System Start to sort through your jewelry using the 3 Boxes 2 Bags System. As you go through your jewelry put every piece in one of the three boxes or two bags: Perfectly good jewelry that you don’t love anymore can go into the “Give Away” box. Everything you love and wear can go into the “Put Back” box. Buttons, prescriptions, receipts, lip glosses and other things that are hanging out with your jewelry go into the “Other Rooms” box. Broken jewelry that you won’t repair goes into the garbage (unless you have a crafty friend who can turn all those crafty beads into something amazing – and is willing to pick them up so they are not around your house for the next month, then put them in the recycle bag.) Put all the Put Back jewelry, back.
3. What to do with the Leftovers? OK be honest – there were a couple of necklaces you love but never wear. Or that broken owl necklace that you love, but needs a clasp? You don’t want to throw it away, but you don’t quite know what to do with it. Here are some ideas:

• Figure out why you aren’t wearing that necklace you love,or the earrings you adore. If the necklace is too short (which is a common problem for taller girls and those of us that shop in the plus-sized department,) or your bracelet doesn’t fall right on your wrist, get a set of Necklace and Bracelet Extenders: Necklace Bracelet Extender Set – 1″, 2″ & 4″ – Gold & Silver Tone ~ 6 Pcs in Total (FB210)

• If you avoid wearing a pair of earrings because you lost the back, you can order backs on Amazon. Here is a nice assortment to keep on hand: Six Pairs Assorted Gold and Silver Tone Earring Backs Bullet Clutch with Plastic Pad 18k White Gold Plated Butterfly Ear Nut Push Friction Back

• I keep some Jewelery Repair items on hand. This has kept some of my favorite pieces from languishing in a drawer for months (or years). Here are a couple of things that have helped with this: Findings: Cousin Precious Accents Jewelry Findings Collection 158/Pkg, Silver and Gold and a tool kit – this one for eyeglasses works great:SE Eyeglass Repair Kit, Compact Boxed

Here are a couple of other things that have helped me: This is the best thing you can do for your jewelry – Only keep what you actually use, make the pieces that aren’t working for you, work.

• Have a necklace that feels a little “Lightweight” for your outfit? Stack it with another necklace. I do this a lot with a chunky gold chain with a couple smaller gold chains, or chunky long turquoise with chunky short turquoise.
• Turn your long necklace into two short ones by looping, or into a bracelet by looping four or five times.
• Have a single earring that you love, but can find it’s friend? Can you turn it into a pin?

Do you have any great ideas for organizing you jewelry that have worked for you? Please share in the comments below (and if you have pictures, send them to info@kathilipp.com – we may do a future blog post sharing your great idea!