It Was In Everyone's Jewelry Box — Now It's A Vintage Find With A Clever Decor Use

When was the last time you rummaged through costume jewelry at a yard sale? That table holding an old jewelry box might yield some valuable finds. While those vintage necklaces and brooches might not be in style, there could be a few items that can be put to good use elsewhere. That's because the contents of old jewelry boxes offer a wealth of opportunities for home decor, and there's one particular vintage find that can be repurposed in a very clever way: clip-on earrings.

If you don't have clip-on earrings in your own jewelry box, your grandma almost certainly did. They gained popularity in the late 1800s, when they offered Victorians the chance to accessorize without the painful (and risky) need for piercing, which wasn't considered classy back then. They became more popular through the 1900s with the rise of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, and bold styles still proved popular in the 1980s. Because of this, it's actually quite easy to find clip-on earrings if you don't have your own to repurpose. They make a great decor idea made from a thrift store find (plus hunting for them is part of the fun). Depending on the era, your earrings might have a hinged "paddle back" clasp, or a fastener that screws inwards. Some modern versions are also magnetic. Any of these types can be repurposed as decor, but you may want to check any thrifted finds to see if they are valuable before repurposing them as decor. 

There are so many ways you can use clip-on earrings around the home. In the same way that brooches are a valuable jewelry box find you can use as decor, earrings offer a great way to add a little bling to items like cushions, lampshades, and even glassware. The great advantage is there's no risk of ruining the textiles with a pinhole. And with such a wide variety of colors, shapes, and styles of earrings out there, you can find unique ones to suit your personal style.

But how should you actually use clip on earrings in your home? Well, first off, you could use them to embellish the stem of your best glassware. On Instagram, sustainable stylist Sarah Teresinski shared a video where she uses rounded paddle back clip-ons as wine glass charms, wrapping them around the base of the stems. Not only does it add some visual interest to plain glassware, but Teresinski uses this idea when hosting so that guests can differentiate their glasses.

You could also use clip-on earrings to jazz up a boring lamp by fastening them around the rim of a shade. Choose an array of different colors and styles for an eclectic look. Besides adding personality to a plain lamp, it becomes a beautiful accessory in a vintage inspired living room. Another option is to clip earrings onto cushion edges, curtain tiebacks, or decorative baskets for an instant upgrade. You can even attach them to napkin rings or use them as place card holders at a dinner table.