Want some fun and unique art for the holidays?! Let’s repurpose old or costume jewelry for a DIY Jewelry Christmas Tree! I’ve been wanting to make one for years after seeing my friend Madam of Making make heres. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make a sparkling masterpiece:

diy jewelry christmas tree

SUPPLIES

Picture Frame (or a shadow box). I used a 5×7 thrifted frame- you can go much bigger if you want a larger tree.
Jewelry pieces (costume jewelry, brooches, earrings, necklaces, or beads)
Strong adhesive (I’m using a hot glue gun, E6000 also works)
Tweezers (optional, for small pieces)
Wire cutters (to trim jewelry)
Fabric (to cover the background)

step 1- prep

To begin, Prepare the Background

Measure the back of the frame.

Cut a piece of foam core the same size as the backing for the frame.

Make sure the foam core fits nicely in the frame. Leave a little wiggle room so the fabric can wrap around the sides.

Cut fabric to be 2″ larger than the foam core. It’s customary to use a velvet for this project. I had some cream silky fabric on hand, so I’m using that.

If needed, give the fabric a quick ironing to get out any wrinkles.

Cover the foam core with fabric. It’s best to wrap the fabric around the backing and the glue it onto the back. That way the glue won’t seep through the fabric or show a weird texture on the front. Pull tight while gluing so the front is taunt.

Paint the Frame

If the frame is plain or doesn’t match your design, paint it a complementary color. I’m using a latex paint in the color Wishful Green.

Metallic gold, silver, or a distressed white look can add a festive touch. To highlight the design, try Rub ‘N Buff paint.

Let the paint dry completely before assembling the artwork.

Prepare the Jewelry

Use pliers or wire cutters to remove pins, clasps, or backs from the jewelry. This helps the pieces lay flat against the background.
Removing the backs of jewelry ensures a cleaner, more professional look while making assembly easier.

step 3- create the tree

Next, Design Your Tree Layout

Use a measuring tape to find center on the background. Use a pin to mark the center.
For the bottom, use two pins to mark the two sides of the tree. Setting these parameters will make for a beautiful symmetrical tree.

Arrange your jewelry pieces on the background in the shape of a Christmas tree.
To begin, start with the top piece in the middle.

Tip- use jewelry in varying colors, shapes, and sizes for visual interest. I’m putting mine in rainbow order for a gradiant look!
Use larger pieces at the bottom for a stable “tree base” and use smaller items toward the top for a tapered effect.
I like using a broach in the middle of the tree and then using a set of earrings on either side to create symmetry.

And now, Glue Down the Jewelry

One piece at a time, glue the jewelry onto the background. Start with the big pieces.
For heavier pieces, more glue may be required as well as extra drying time.

Layer smaller items over gaps to add texture and dimension. Use tweezers if needed to fill in the tiny pieces.
I’m using beads to fill in any gaps and to help with the color story. They blend in and save money since the jewelry can add up.

Add a star on top of the tree for a festive touch.
Make sure to pull off any hot glue strands when done. This really cleans up the project.

step 4- assembly

Finally, Assemble the Art

Once the frame and artwork are completely dry, place the background into the painted frame or shadow box.
Secure it firmly to prevent movement.

Hang or display your jewelry tree art in a prominent spot where it can catch the light and sparkle!

mistakes

This is kind of embarrassing, but I made this project twice. The first time I made lots of mistakes that I corrected on the second piece that I think helped a lot. Learn from my mistakes! It might not be obvious from the picture, but it was in person.

Make sure to glue the fabric on the back of the foam core before beginning. I didn’t do this and it was tricky to do at the end. Plus I glued the fabric on the front of the foam core so the glue texture showed and looked terrible. Two mistakes in one!
Put pins in at the center point and boundaries for the bottom. This helps the tree stay in the frame and be centered. Mine had a purple bead under the side of the frame and that really bugged me. I didn’t glue the tree on centered and then had problems with the backing.
Make sure to stick to the triangle shape of the Christmas tree. I had some green jewelry pieces that stuck out on the sides instead of tapering to create a triangle shape. It made the whole shape feel off and less tree looking.

after

And here’s the finished DIY Jewelry Christmas Tree!

I had so much fun finding the jewelry for this at vintage shops. I think it’d be fun to incorporate sentimental pieces for a personal touch.

Looking forward, I think it’ll be fun to pull this art out of storage and put up for Christmas every year!

The sparkle and texture it adds is really fun too!

price breakdown

For this project I spent $42 on the jewelry and $2 on the frame. For a total of $44. I usually see these sell for $150-$200 (which I understand with having to source the jewelry), but it made be feel happy about the price!

I have been wanting to make a DIY Jewelry Christmas Tree for years so it was very exciting to see this come together! It should be a meaningful keepsake for the holidays. Would you make this? Do you have any questions on the process?

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