A friend made a super cool earring holder for less than $3 that is so crafty and frugal I had to share her creation with you.
She took an old picture frame that was out of use and removed the back. In its place she inserted a rectangle of wire mesh she bought at the hardware store, cut to fit. She used a few thumb tacks to secure the mesh, then hung various pairs of earrings in it.
The picture frame turned earring holder can hang on the wall or stand up on a dresser. Very useful and it makes a great gift!
The cost: a picture frame can be had for less than $10 and my friend paid $2.58 for four square feet of wire mesh. So aim for $15 or less.
Thanks, Julie!
UPDATE: Reader Julie shared an important update about tarnishing that I needed to share:
The pictured earring holder actually uses a different kind of mesh that I found at the hardware store, which is made of fiberglass instead of metal. So, it�s flexible, easy to work with, doesn�t poke/cut you, and won�t tarnish your earrings. And it was actually cheaper than wire mesh. Looks exactly the same.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
I did a similar thing for my daughter’s barrettes. I glued fabric onto the cardboard in the back of the frame and then glued the ends of coordinating ribbon onto the back of the cardboard, but left the front unglued and put it back in the frame. Now we clip her barrettes to the ribbon and they are all in one place!
Very cute & clever idea. What a neat idea for gifts ~ just in time for the recession holidays coming up!
I love your Bargain Babe tips – have been following you from the Daily News Days. Good job!
Great idea. Hope you post more of these as the holidays get closer. Very useful.
I use a $1.60 tackle box from big 5 it holds 30 pairs .
That’s my FABulous roommate! She’s so crafty!
I use ice cube trays and place all my earrings in them. For chains I use an old neck tie hanger which has many slots and all the necklaces are in one place.
i really like this!
It would prbly be rly cool if we had a frugal arts and crafts booth at the next FF!!!!
I tried something similar–with the mesh from a screen, and it started to tarnish my earrings so I stopped using it.
Nothing should tarnish gold, so I’m guessing the mesh tarnished your silver jewelry?
Instead of the metal mesh you can also use needlepoint canvas stretched inside a frame.
Paint the canvas the same color as the wall and the mesh fades away or use a contrasting color – or save money and just leave it white!
Love the frame you found!
Re: tarnishing.
The pictured earring holder actually uses a different kind of mesh that I found at the hardware store, which is made of fiberglass instead of metal. So, it’s flexible, easy to work with, doesn’t poke/cut you, and won’t tarnish your earrings. And it was actually cheaper than wire mesh. Looks exactly the same.
You can probably do better than $10 on the price of the frame if you shop at a thrift store or garage sale.