When I spotted a pair of stiletto heels for just $10, I had to have them, only to discover that standing still was the only thing I could do in them. That sparked my Steampunk Stiletto Ring Holder: Upcycled High Heel Jewellery Stand project, a tutorial that shows you how to transform uncomfortable heels into a show-stopping, mixed-media masterpiece. Whether you choose to display yours as a unique ring holder or—if you can walk in high heels—strut out in truly one‑of‑a‑kind footwear, this technique lets you personalise every detail to make your shoes as distinctive as you are.

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Steampunk Stiletto Ring Holder: Upcycled High Heel Jewellery Stand

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Materials Needed

• One pair of high-heeled shoes (leather or faux leather works best)
• Black gesso or black acrylic paint
• Texture paste and a variety of stencils
• Red and white plastic netting (e.g. produce bags)
• Offcut non‑slip mat
• Assorted embellishments: zippers, nuts, studs, gear charms, decorative buttons, thumbtacks, shells, charms.
• Hot glue gun with black glue sticks
• Turbo tacky glue for small pieces
• Coloured wax paste (store‑bought or DIY)
• Mica powders (burnt copper, purple)
• Mod Podge or clear spray sealer
• Foam offcut for ring insert
• Black velvet or velour fabric
• Craft knife and scissors
• Small paintbrush for blending wax and mica

Step 1: Prepare the Heels

Clean the shoes thoroughly with a damp cloth to remove dust and grease. Remove any loose decorations or straps. Let them dry completely before painting. To make this stiletto ring holder, you’ll need a pair of high‑heeled shoes. I opted for a mixed‑media makeover because I already had plenty of bits and bobs on hand—most of the embellishments came from around my house and workshop.

Step 2: Apply Base Coat

Use black gesso or acrylic paint to coat the entire shoe, inside and out. Give it two thin coats, allowing each to dry. This creates a uniform base and helps subsequent layers adhere. Although the glitter finish was beautiful, I wanted these heels to echo the steampunk aesthetic of my spare room. Assemblage mixed media art is about arranging found items to create a 3D texture. You can find the basic techniques for assemblage here.

Step 3: Build Texture

Place your chosen stencil against the shoe and spread texture paste over it.

Lift the stencil immediately, then wash it to prevent paste hardening.

Push any sharp peaks flat with your finger if desired.

Repeat with different stencils, and incorporate items like netting or non‑slip mat offcuts for unique patterns. You can use just about anything that has an interesting texture.

Step 4: Embellish with Mixed Media

Arrange your embellishments across the shoe surface. I used:

• Zipper teeth from old garments
• Metal nuts from my workshop
• Studs salvaged from a dog collar
• Steampunk gear charms and decorative buttons
• Thumbtacks and tiny shells
• Wooden embellishments

Glue heavier pieces with black hot glue sticks and lighter bits with turbo tacky glue. Don’t worry if it looks chaotic—coverage will even out later.

close-up view of items used on the shoes.

It may look like a chaotic jumble right now, but stay with it.

Step 5: Re‑Paint and Highlight

Once all embellishments are set, paint the entire shoe black again.

This hides shadows under pieces and unifies the look.

Next, use your fingertip to rub coloured wax paste over raised surfaces—avoid filling every nook so black shows through. If you don’t have wax paste at home, check out this post to learn how to make your own.

Layer four wax colours, blending each edge gently with a small brush.

Once you’ve applied all the wax colours, use a small paintbrush to gently swirl them together until the hues merge seamlessly.

Then, for extra sparkle, lightly dust the raised areas with burnt copper and purple mica powder and softly blend once more with your brush for a subtle metallic sheen.

In the sunshine, they’ll catch the light and shimmer beautifully.

Step 6: Seal (Optional for Wearable Shoes)

If you plan to wear these heels, seal them with Mod Podge or a clear spray to protect the finish. Paint the soles black if desired.

Step 7: Create the Ring Insert

Cut the foam to fit inside the shoe’s footbed.

Cover it with black velvet, cutting a slot with a craft knife to hold rings upright.

Secure the fabric in the groove with hot glue, then glue the completed insert into the shoe.

Step 8: Assemble and Display

Slide your rings into the foam slots and arrange your new jewellery stand on a dresser or in a display cabinet.

If you can still walk in these heels, why not wear them on a special night?

More mixed media project ideas

I needed a prop camera for my steampunk project photos, so I crafted one from cardboard and other recycled materials.

I applied the same mixed‑media technique to transform an old book into a jewellery box. You can find all my mixed media art projects HERE.

If you’d like to find any of the items used in this project, we’d greatly appreciate it if you used our affiliate links. These links provide us with a small commission at no extra cost to you, allowing us to continue creating and sharing more inspiring projects. We’d also love to hear your thoughts—feel free to leave a comment or share this post!