What Are the Best Tips for Making DIY Accessories?

Making DIY accessories is a great way to give new life to old items, develop a unique style, and even save money. Some of the best tips to remember when making DIY accessories are to not be afraid to try new things, and to try to make use of what you already have before taking a trip to the craft store. There are thousands of different photo and video tutorials to be found online to make specific handcrafted goods, and these may be a good place to begin for people who don't have a lot of experience. Making crafts is a learning experience, and it is important to keep in mind that mistakes will often be the best education.

The best place to begin when making DIY accessories is to consider the type of accessories that might be fun to make and wear, as well as the amount of time that can be devoted to these projects. Don't choose projects that are long and complicated if it is only possible to make time for a short, easy project; this will just become frustrating and probably lead to the abandonment of the project. Then, look around in books, magazines or online resources to find instructions to make these types of DIY accessories, and determine the materials needed.

It is preferable to gather all the materials ahead of time when making DIY accessories, which is one of the reasons it's a good idea to stop and assess what is already owned. Some simple craft projects, such as turning an old T-shirt into a scarf, for example, only require a shirt and a pair of scissors. More complex projects might require other items such as a sewing machine and thread, yarn, and knitting needles, or other materials such as jewelry-making items. This might require specific tools, as well as metal wire, beading, or leather cord, among others.

Also important to remember when making DIY accessories is that creativity and uniqueness are encouraged. Using found materials to make accessories, such as metal washers, can really lead to a unique look and can keep old items from going in the trash. Winding ribbon through an existing necklace can help to give it a newly brightened, colorful appearance, for instance. It is important to be willing to try new things and to make mistakes in order to get ideas for better projects in the future. Hold onto remnants of crafting materials, because they might be used for different projects later on.