Marilyn Monroe Jewelry Chest | Redo It Yourself Inspirations : Marilyn Monroe Jewelry Chest

Monday, December 22, 2014

Marilyn Monroe Jewelry Chest


Marilyn Monroe Jewelry Box Makeover



I finally got my hands on a curvy chest of drawers! 


Vintage jewelry box makeover



Vintage jewelry chest of drawers, that is.




I immediately knew I was going to make it my first Marilyn Monroe piece. I don't have that whole "download and print and transfer photos" thing down yet. So I scoured thrift shops and local stores for Marilyn magazines, posters, photos and books to use the pics for decoupaging onto the chest. Found none. But I scored a few Marilyn books loaded with her on Amazon for less than $5 each with shipping! 


To begin, I removed the little handles, then cleaned and painted the chest. 

I used semi gloss black enamel.


Then, I went through the books to choose the right photos. I was careful to take out the pages that were photos on the front and the back of the page so I can still read the books without missing any of the stories.   :)


After deciding which three to use, I glued and sliced the largest facial photo onto the drawer fronts. And used mod podge to coat the photo and edges.



While the drawers were drying I cut the remaining photos to size and glued onto the sides of the chest.

I was loving how the curved sides were unique frames for the pictures.


When the drawers dried...


I put the handles back on.

I hated to, because they were on Marilyn's face. But had to because they are needed to open the drawers. Then end result is not as distracting when you look at the whole chest as a photo display.






To balance out the gold color of the handles, I used a metal paint to accent the chest around the edges in slight brush strokes just for highlighting.





Then I was done.  








This photo from a movie set fit perfectly for a curvy chest side. 






This photo of Marilyn with roses was perfect for the left side. 









The whole time I was doing this project, I wanted it for myself. But it was intended as a gift for my sister, who loves glam... lashes, nails, jewelry... I usually get her jewelry but this time, something to put it all into. 




When I think of Marilyn, I think glamor. Just like jewelry being so glamorous... paired up as a classy way to sport a jewelry!.


I just might have to find another jewelry chest...after all,  I do have plenty more photos!  ;)




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~















70 comments:

  1. Wow, oh wow! This is stunning! The photos are perfect and the glamorous images of Marilyn add so much character to the piece. You did an outstanding job!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Audra @ Renewed ProjectsDecember 22, 2014 at 9:45 AM

    Classy makeover. Very classy.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Marie@The Interior FrugalistaDecember 22, 2014 at 10:25 AM

    That is one sweet jewelry chest. Adore what you did with it and inspired me to add a little something special to one I have waiting for a makeover after the holidays. Love it Robin!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ohhhh so totally awesome! she will love this for sure! I love all the different photos and how each side is it's own frame, making each image unique. The accent of the gold paint is just your usual brilliance in knowing what a piece needs to make it perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  5. this is so so gorgeous wow i love it merry Christmas xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. What an amazing chest! You did a fabulous job, I just know your sister is going to love it! Such a unique
    and creative idea! Hope you have a happy and blessed holiday season.
    Hugs,
    Patti

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love what you have done with this jewelry chest. I have a pet peeve when it comes to putting pictures on things like this, though. When I cut the picture, I also remove the same amount that would fall between the drawers. It doesn't look as jagged, and the eye fills in the image better.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you Patti! Christmas Blessings and Happy New Year to you and yours as well! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I do too, but with routered edges and such a small piece and tiny space, it looked worse filling in at my first attempt. After splitting the way I did this way, it appeared nicer for this particular piece. I would never try this method with a large piece with clean edges. Thank you for your kind visit!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Adorable make over! What a nice job!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gorgeous! Absolutely stunning and one of a kind, just like Marilyn! Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup! Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your family gets the best gifts! Another beautiful and classy project.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amazing creativity. Thanks for linking up with Sunday Features this week!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the vintage Marilyn glamor days.
    Thank you for being such a sweet hostess, Tanya! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. LOL! You are a doll. Thank you, Stella :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for having me, Andrea! Love your visit! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Its Beautiful!! Thank you so much for Linking up!
    http://arttisbeauty.blogspot.com/2015/01/beyoutiful-link-party-and-features_8.html

    ReplyDelete
  18. You did a fabulous makeover...my daughter would go nuts for something like that! She has tons of Marilyn memorabilia. I am sure your sister will treasure the jewelry box.
    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful!!! I love this & I love Marilyn!! Thanks for sharing with us at Mommy Monday :)
    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love Marilyn too and thinking I'll make another (a bit selfish of me to want one) Thank you, Marigene! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Beautiful, just beautiful. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  22. What an awesome recreation! I love it! Marilyn was such an icon and what a beautiful piece this chest turned out to be.
    Thanks for sharing your lovely creation with us at Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party today.
    Angel

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love, love, love it! You did such a great job! You lined up the photo perfectly on the drawers and that is not easy to do!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I absolutely LOVE this! It is beautiful! I am a HUGE Marilyn Monroe fan and have my living room decorated with Marilyn, etc. I would try to make one myself but don't think I am as talented or capable as you are! Thanks for linking up with us this week at Oh My Heartsie Girls WW.


    Much love,
    Lysa xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is FABULOUS!!!! Great project, very creative!! Thanks for sharing on DIY Sunday Showcase! I pinned this to our talent board!

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is so lovely. Very Creative!!! Thanks for sharing over at the Snickerdoodle Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is totally chic! You did very well still managing to give it away. I don't think I would have. I would have totally kept it for myself....ha ha!!

    Thanks for linking up to Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you for the lovely link up and visit! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. She is a legend and I love seeing her still gracing us with her presence! Thank you so much for the compliment and visit, Angel! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm so glad you like it! Thank you so much :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'd love to have a Marilyn room! My home is too male dominant. Maybe I can when we get our new bathrooms built, the master bath will display her as the theme ;)


    Thank you, Lysa!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks so much for the pin! And, thank you for hosting and visiting! :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks, Felicia! :)
    Glad you like it!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I know, right! I may need to make a few more so I can have one too :)


    Thank you, Catherine!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I was saddened to see that you no longer had it. I was going to ask if you wanted to sell it. I hope your sister loved it! I would love to have something like this! How much would you have sold it for? Would you contact me if you do another one? I am an avid collector of Marilyn Monroe (first playboy magazine with her, original 1955 calendar with her, film cells, etc.).



    This was my favorite post from the #InspireMeMondays linkup and will be in next week's linkup at www.beingfibromom.com on Monday. Also pinned to my Marilyn Monroe board at www.Pinterest.com/beingfibromom

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi Brandi! I tried contacting you, but had trouble downloading the captcha on your site to send you an email. So I'm sure it didn't go through.

    I'd be happy to make a jewelry chest for you! I'm not looking for a profit. But certainly looking forward to make you happy. I'd be delighted to get a jewelry chest and make it over for you. The cost will only be the cost of the chest and shipping. I thrift a lot, and if you don't mind a thrift find and the shipping, it's very do-able! I have a few others that want one too, so I really don't mind making this a special mission for Marilyn admirers. Let me know your thoughts. (FYI: this chest was $25, not what I usually spend thrifting but was a gift to my sister and the amount was not a consideration. I can find others for less. Please contact me via email.)

    Thank you so much for liking my work. I hope I can fulfill a little happiness for you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh, no! I'll look into the contact information on my site. Thank you for calling it to my attention.


    I will send you an email.

    ReplyDelete
  38. That would be best, thank you, Brandi!

    ReplyDelete
  39. This is amazing! You did a wonderful job! Glad I saw this on Fridays Unfolded Linky! Pinned

    ReplyDelete
  40. What a beautiful transformation - you did a fantastic job! Thank you for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.

    ReplyDelete
  41. OMG this is such a pretty transformation. I have been wanting to do this with large posters on my filing cabinet. I think you have inspired me to get busy!.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thank you so much for the pin, Jody!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thank you for hosting and the pin!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. LOVE your idea on the filing cabinet, Pam! Can't wait to see it!

    ReplyDelete
  45. An absolutely beautiful job!!! This looks like it cost a pretty penny but you managed to do for a lot less thank you for awesome share!

    ReplyDelete
  46. This is lovely, unique, and so well done!

    Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  47. I still think this is so gorgeous and impressive, Robin. I am featuring it tonight on Merry Monday! I feel like I should congratulate myself for having this first comment on this from a month ago, haha.

    ReplyDelete
  48. LOL! I want to congratulate you too! It's impressive to me that you were the first and then to return for a feature when I finally posted to link ups! I'm quite honored! :) Thank you so much, Rachel!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Thank you for being such a kind hostess, Jennifer :)
    Hope you're having a great week! xx

    ReplyDelete
  50. That is such a nice compliment, Mari! Thank you so much! ox

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hello cute lady! This looks so amazing.My 15 year old would love this. Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you taking the time to stop by and party with us. It wouldn't be a party without you! I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. Lou Lou Girls

    ReplyDelete
  52. This is awesome! Thanks for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty. We hope you'll party with us again this Friday.

    ~Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  53. WOW this is INCREDIBLE!!! I am impressed. I have never seen anything like this and the tutorial is great! Thanks for linking up to Totally Terrific Tuesday last week. Our party is going LIVE tonight at 9pm CST. Hope you see you again!

    Sharon

    herorganizedchaos.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Mary (The Godmother)January 19, 2015 at 9:13 PM

    This is really impressive! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  55. What a gorgeous idea for a jewelry chest. I love what you did, Robin! Thanks for sharing at Think and Make Thursday.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Such a cute idea! Love it! I'm featuring it tonight on Worthwhile Wednesdays!
    ~Allie www.craftyallieblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Wow--I hardly recognize it--so original! I pinned it to the Pretty Preppy Party board (and thanks for linking up)!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Usually grown woman are fond of the icon. Your teenager has awesome glamor class! Thank you so much, Kim!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Thank you for being a great hostess, Bonnie! :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. Thank you so much, Sharon! Love your parties; thank you for hosting! :)

    ReplyDelete
  61. Hope it helps you make your own! Thank you, Mary!

    ReplyDelete
  62. I thought it would make a great theme. It's like a functional photo frame. :)
    Thank you so much, Carrie!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Love your feature! Thank you so much, Allie! ox

    ReplyDelete
  64. Thank you so much for the pin and for hosting, Christy! (hugs!)

    ReplyDelete
  65. This piece is just stunning. You are featured this week on Funtastic Friday. Hope to see you again soon.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Thank you so much for the lovely feature, Sherry! Love your blog. Thank you for being such a wonderful hostess!

    ReplyDelete