D.I.Y.
The Perfect Accessory

By Clare Tattersall, staff writer

Everywhere you go, your style goes, too. And you can find style everywhere you are. Take a look around and you can turn everyday items into your very own, super-unique, jewelry line.

If you thought safety pins were just something in your grandparents' repair kit, think again. With very little effort, safety pins can add pizzazz to your image and have everyone admiring your initiative and creativity.

Okay, you will also need some ribbon, earring hoops, and perhaps some extra beads for color and personalization, but it's easy and takes less than an hour. So read on and learn how to create your own coordinated (and resourceful) jewelry.

Necklace

What you need:

• 12 inches of velvet ribbon
• 24 safety pins
• O-rings
• Small beads to complement or contrast with ribbon

What to do…

Just attach the safety pins to the ribbon an equal distance apart, closing the pin at the top. Then place one bead on an o-ring and, with pincers, attach it to the lower ring of the safety pin.
In no time you have a dazzling, sparkling, super-stylish choker.

Earrings

What you need:

• Earring attachment
• 2-8 safety pins
• 2 O-rings
• Small beads

What to do…

Open the pins and slip on a selection of beads. Close the pin and take an O-ring to attach it to the earring hoop or clip.

Don't like the sparkle of safety pins? Just look around you. Absolutely anything can provide you with materials for your own jewelry line. All you need are shiny items like:

• Springs, clips, nuts, and bolts
• Buttons
• Old pins and rings that you don't wear any more
• Holiday ornaments

Add a little imagination and you can have your look, your way.