If you’re anything like me, your jewelry situation is… let’s say, less than organized. The fancy, sentimental pieces? They’re safely tucked away in a box, barely seeing daylight. But the everyday earrings, bracelets, and necklaces? They end up scattered across my dresser like a crime scene of tangled chains and lost earring backs.
I needed a solution that was functional but also pretty—something that would look like intentional decor instead of just another storage attempt gone wrong. And since I’ve been on a DIY kick with cement and plaster, I figured—why not make a terrazzo-style jewelry stand? It’s trendy, easy to customize, and (most importantly) an excuse to play with plaster.
Materials you’ll need
- Plaster of Paris – 850 g (yes, precision matters unless you enjoy unexpected chemistry experiments)
- Water – 320-350 g
- Red pigment – for a chic pink terrazzo base
- White pigment – to make those terrazzo flecks pop
- A thick wooden dowel (for the main stand) – about 50 cm
- A thinner wooden dowel (for crossbars) – 80-90 cm total
- White wood stain or oil – because raw wood is just sad
- A plastic container – to use as a mold (leftover takeout container? Perfect.)
If you don’t have these items at home, a quick trip to the craft store will provide them—along with 15 other things you didn’t plan to buy.
Make the Fancy Terrazzo Chips
Terrazzo chips are the secret to making this jewelry stand look expensive instead of "Pinterest fail." Mix 40 g of water with 1 tsp of white pigment, then stir in 100 g of plaster. Spread the mixture thinly on parchment paper like you’re frosting a very sad cake.
Repeat the process with red pigment for a deep, bold color.
Let them dry overnight, then break them into tiny pieces.
Cut and Drill the Wooden Pieces
Yes, waiting is annoying, but trust me—if you try to break damp plaster, you’ll just end up with a mushy disaster.
While your terrazzo chips are drying, let’s prep the wooden parts. Cut the thick dowel to 45-50 cm for the stand. Cut the thin dowel into: 2 longer pieces (35 cm each) for hanging necklaces and 2 shorter pieces (10 cm each) for rings and bracelets.
Pour the Plaster And Finishing The Base
Mix 250 g of water with ½ tsp of red pigment for a nice pink base. Slowly add 650 g of plaster, stirring like your life depends on it. Toss in your terrazzo chips.
Mix, and pour into the mold.
Insert the wooden dowel, making sure it stays centered. Wait two hours. Don’t poke it. I know it’s tempting.
Plaster set? Great. Now, getting it out of the mold is where things get interesting. If it slides out easily, congratulations! You’ve been blessed by the DIY gods. If it sticks, welcome to Plan B: cutting the mold open. It’s fine. No one will know.
Before the plaster dries completely, shave off rough edges with a craft knife. Then let it dry overnight, resisting the urge to "just check if it’s dry" every 10 minutes.
This is where terrazzo actually looks like terrazzo. Grab sandpaper, dunk your stand in water, and start scrubbing. Watch as the terrazzo chips magically appear. Feel smug. Post it on Instagram. Sanding is oddly therapeutic—like revealing a hidden masterpiece under layers of dust.
Finishing Touches
Could you leave it as is? Sure. But why stop there? Stain the wooden dowels with white wood stain to give them a softer look.
The crossbars feel loose, add a dab of wood glue to keep them secure. Want to be extra fancy? Seal the plaster base with matte varnish to protect it from moisture.
Add furniture pads if you don't want your dresser looks like a disaster after several months.
Organizing the Jewelry & Hair Accessories
Top bar = necklaces & pendants (no more tangles!). Middle bar = bracelets & watches. Side bars = rings & small accessories.
Now, instead of frantically searching for earrings at the last minute, you can admire your beautiful, organized jewelry. Look at you—winning at life. p.s. I also made a holder for hair accessories. Everything should be perfect!.
Video Guide on How To Make These Terrazzo Organizers
Wrapping It Up: From Chaos to Chic
And just like that—you’ve gone from a tangled mess of jewelry to a Pinterest-worthy, DIY terrazzo stand. No more digging through random boxes or trying to untangle a necklace five minutes before leaving the house. Now, everything is neatly displayed, easy to grab, and let’s be real—it looks damn good sitting on your dresser.
Plus, you’ve now mastered terrazzo plaster magic, which means you can apply this technique to trays, coasters, or even bigger decor pieces. (Just saying, once you start, you won’t stop.)