Since I started looking at things from a minimalist mindset, my creativity has really flourished. Because I'm trying to use less (and spend less), I've started to make more mindful purchases, including buying handmade jewelry from small business and solopreneurs. I've also had to find ways to reuse and repurpose things I already have. Those two things came together this past weekend after I realized I needed a better way to organize my small collection of necklaces.

I have a small dish that my mom got me for Christmas a few years ago that I keep all of my jewelry in: rings, bracelets, earrings and, until a few days ago, necklaces. The problem with storing them that way was that the necklaces would constantly get tangled around one another. I could have gone out and bought an organizer –– there are definitely some cute ones out there! –– but I didn't really want to spend the money on one. Then I realized how easy it would be to make on myself, with only a few things I already had lying around the house.

Here's what you'll need:

The only thing I didn't have on hand was the utility hooks. I purchased them at Target for a couple of bucks and have plenty left over for future projects. I forgot to take step-by-step pictures but, trust me, it's so easy that you won't need them!

First, hammer two nails into the top of the wooden slat –– by "top" I mean the thinnest edge. You want the front, flat edge of the wood to be facing out with the grain of the wood showing. 

Next, screw the utility hooks onto the front, flat edge of the wood. My piece of wood was about 14 inches long. I put a hook about an inch or two from each end –– that's what the ruler & pencil were for –– and two in the center. That gave me four hooks all at approximately 4 inches apart.

Then you want to cut your twine and tie it around the two nails. 

Voila! You're done.

My finished creation came out like this:

It's so simple and it takes less than five minutes! It's cute, and let's be honest, who doesn't like saying they made something themselves?