How to Accessorize With Jewelry on a Budget
Simple DIYs and Where to Buy Inexpensive Items
There are plenty of ways to accessorize fashionably by making it yourself, using what’s at home or buying from inexpensive stores. Just make sure the jewelry pieces do not look cheap, which can make an outfit look tawdry or kitschy. Look out for bad quality beads, sloppily wired earrings, tainted gold and silver, paint bubbles and scrape marks. Look carefully, look wisely, look creatively and anyone is bound to get admiring stares without spending a pretty penny.
Using Brooch Jewelry to Accessorize on a Small Budget
Find new uses with old items such as a brooch lying around in the closet. It can be used to keep a ruana (poncho-like clothing) in place when wrapped around the shoulders; tighten a loose shirt by cinching it at the side; or pin it to a headband. If there are no brooches lying around, make a homemade brooch:
- Find a button pin (the ones that have the little messages e.g., “I love NY”)
- Cut strips of quality gift ribbons and take out the glue gun.
- Glue one end of the ribbon on the back of the pin, wrapping it around the front and gluing the other end of the strip to the back. This should create a smooth strip on the front. Repeat until all the edges are covered and show no trace of the original button.
- Glue a rhinestone on the center to make a flower, or glue on as many of the gems as desired.
Do-It-Yourself Jewelry and Accessories
Instead of spending $20 on a belt or $10 on a bracelet, take a quick jaunt to the craft store and purchase some d-rings that come in different sizes. For a belt, use a thicker piece of ribbon or a long piece of cloth or handkerchief and sew the d-rings on. Do the same for a bracelet, except with thinner pieces. Other ideas include covering old bangles with pretty fabric or using a small silk handkerchief and a nice pin to tie it around the arm or wrist.
Craft stores also carry plenty of beads and charms. Use them to make necklaces and earrings. Old or missing earrings can also easily be made into necklaces by taking them apart using bending pliers specifically made for jewelry.
Inexpensive Accessories at Budget-Friendly Stores
A lot of inexpensive jewelry including rings, bracelets, belts, headbands, scarves and brooches can be found in the stores below. Just look at each item carefully and only purchase ones that look like quality—no paint bumps or sloppily made pieces. It doesn’t hurt to look at discount stores as well, which sometimes carry decent items.
- Forever 21
- H&M
- Express
- Charlotte Russe
- Rampage
- Claire’s Boutique
- Wholesale fashion districts
- Thrift stores
Accessorizing with jewelry on a tight budget can be difficult, but all it requires is just a bit of creativity. To get more ideas for bead bracelets and necklaces, go to BeadAge.net for free beading patterns, instructions and fun projects.
Additional Reading:
Jewelry on a Budget
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