How to Declutter Your Jewelry to make room for more 

“I already have too much jewelry!” is one of the most often comments I’ve overheard women say as they walk by my street boutique.  I know what they mean because I have an abundance of jewelry myself ever since I’ve begun creating my own designs 20 years ago!          

Now for me, decluttering my jewelry is a little difficult emotionally - I love jewelry AND variety!  Some of my jewelry was inherited or given to me by loved ones. The truth is I do have favorites that I wear more often than other pieces. 

Here is the plan of action that will help you declutter your jewelry collection:    

1) First select 'special' jewelry pieces that you only wear with fancy event outfits and set them aside for now.  You may want to place the matching jewelry pieces in one zip lock bag with a gel pack inside and attach it to the hanger of that outfit, which makes your jewelry easily accessible next time you reach for that special outfit!   

2) Next, sort the remaining 'everyday' items by colors that you love and wear often, grouping purple pieces together - black & silver or black & gold together - turquoise pieces in a third group, etc.   

3) Now look just at your 'purple' jewelry and pick out your favorite 3 (no more than 5) sets. Place any extra purple pieces in a shoe box or similar container for now.  Repeat this step with each of your 'colors.' These are the jewelry items that you usually wear weekly and need to have easily accessible.     

4) Next, put the shoe box or container with your excess pieces inside a closet for 3 to 6 months. Be sure to write this future date in your calendar to remind yourself to pull it out.  At the end of that time frame, if you haven't pulled any jewelry piece out of the box and worn it, then:

1.  just take the whole box to your local charity shop OR

2.  pick one week to wear items from the box and if anyone comments on the item, just take it right off and give it to them!  You'll know it’s going to someone who likes it! (Have another replacement item in your purse that you can also give away) OR

3.  share this webpage with your friends and invite them to join you in 2 weeks for an ‘jewelry exchange party’. Hey, we all like an excuse to party, right? Be sure everyone knows that any jewelry left after the party is going to be donated.  

5) Do you have pieces that you want to pass forward to your daughter or daughter-in-law or granddaughters?  Why not give those pieces to them now, so you can find joy in seeing your ‘jewels’ wearing your treasures while you’re alive! 

Remember there is more happiness in giving, than storing! 

When you complete this process, it's going to feel like you’ve lost weight!  Now, keep the weight off by living by this mantra: 1 item in means 1 item out!

Why not try using this strategy in other areas of your life and home? What other distractions or clutter can you eliminate?

Now that you’ve de-cluttered your jewelry, why not go to my pinterest page to see creative ways to display the pieces you decided to keep...