One day, while waiting for a home furnishings store to open, I popped into a nearby Michael’s to peruse the aisles. I was wearing a fun, new sweater dress I had picked up on the clearance rack at Banana Republic for the bargain basement price of $30. I didn’t have any great accessories to pair with it, so went to check out the bead aisle to see what Michael’s had. I found a string of Jasper beads in the same color family as my dress that would make a super cute and easy-to-make bracelet. The beads were 50% off, so they definitely met my “on sale” standard. I made this fashionable bracelet in about 3 minutes. These are great for yourself or as a homemade gift for someone else.

Here’s what you do:

• String the beads onto stretchy clear cord

• Measure out how many will fit on your wrist to your desired slouchiness

• Tie off in a knot and snip extra cord

• VOILA! Instant accessory!

Cost: $2.50 (I had the clear cord in my beading stash already, but it is generally inexpensive)

Tip: Paint the knot you made in the stretchy cord with clear nail polish to help it stay put.

You could also make a long necklace with three of the strands for under $10. I just happen to be a bracelet girl, myself.