DIY Antler Jewelry Organizer

I am from the South, therefore hunting and fishing is a major part of my way of life. Growing up, my mother had a rule that no "dead animals" were allowed in her house. So as an avid hunter, my father's trophies were confined to the shed, his office, and the sun room (separate from the house). That is still where they are to this day, and he has quite the impressive collection.

On the contrary, I wouldn't mind a little wild life in my home. I happily send Mr. Engineer off to hunt, so he will be able to bring home the perfect ten point! But, while waiting for that day... I wanted to incorporate a natural element into the decor. My dad gave me an old antler he had laying around, but I wanted to spruce it up a bit.

This is the antler jewelry organizer I made with the old antler. I thought I would make it beautiful, as well as useful. I am going to go through step by step instructions if anyone wants to try it for themselves. 

Supplies for this project:

- drill and bits

- paint (I just used some paint I already had -for the background I used Ultra White - 70143 Valspar interior semi-gloss paint, I also used La Fonda Artisan Green - 5009-7 Valspar interior flat paint and Black - 11002 Acrylic Anita's Craft paint, but you choose whatever colors suit your project)

- spray paint (I used Bronze - 233 Design Master Metallic Finish and Caramel Latte - Krylon Brushed Metallic Satin) 

- paint brushes of various sizes
- metal craft wire 
- plaque (I picked up mine from Michael's for $1.99)
- antler (if you don't have access to a real one, faux antlers are sold at decor stores)

I started with a wooden plaque. I picked out a small plaque with some simple details, I didn't want it to overpower the antler. 

First, I painted two coats of the Ultra White paint 

I also started with an old five point. It is a little damaged, but that adds some "character."

 I wanted to jazz up the antler, so I decided to spray paint part of it. I taped off and covered sections I didn't want to paint with electrical tape and plastic bags

 I lightly coated the antler in spray paint in a well ventilated area (my back yard). I did two coats of the Bronze and one light coat of the Caramel Latte.

Then I embellished the antler with Green and Black paint. I kept layering that stripes to cover up some of my mistakes.

I then had to put the two pieces together, so I marked and drilled holes in the plaque.

I used the wire to secure the antler to the plaque and twisted it in the back to secure it. This connection is subtile, and also isn't perminant; so I don't damage the antler and I can always take it off and repurpose it in the future. Finito!

Here is it on our bedroom wall next to my night stand. Animal trophies are a new trend all over the design and Pinterest world to be used as decor. Although, this is not a new trend to display antlers in the area where I am from, this is a contemporary twist on the to display traditional trophy.

Here is some of my jewelry displayed on it. I am loving this new new addition!

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