5 Easy Upcycled Accessories

lace necklace

The right accessories can really complete an outfit, can’t they? There’s something about finding that perfect pair of earrings or a sassy scarf that just makes you feel put together.

Of course, it’s easy and often pretty cheap to hit up the big box store for cute accessories. Those mass-produced pieces might be super adorable, but they come with a pretty hefty carbon footprint. From the materials to make them, the carbon footprint for shipping from factory to store, and the conditions that those factory workers often endure, you’re getting a lot more than a cute necklace when you go store-bought. Those hidden costs are bad for the planet and bad for people.

Luckily, you don’t have to go shopping to beef up your accessories collection! Here are a few DIY accessories that you can make from reclaimed materials instead.

1. Crochet Lace Necklace – A statement necklace makes a great centerpiece for any outfit. Check out Karen’s tutorial on how to make a cute, crochet lace statement necklace – no actual crochet skills required!

2. Paper Earrings – These paper earrings from BluReco don’t come with instructions, but they look simple enough. You’d just use a scaled-down version of making a paper bowl, and the jump ring to attach them to the earring hook goes through the last part of the coil.

Neckerchief T-Shirt Scarf

3. T-Shirt Scarf – T-shirt scarves are nothing new, but this chunky, neckerchief-style take on the old standby is a great way to turn an old shirt into a cute, new accessory! You can pair this up with a t-shirt and jeans, and it would look cute with a collared shirt, too!

4. T-Shirt Bracelet – Why stop there with the reclaimed t-shirt crafts? You can use fun finger-weaving techniques to make a set of chunky t-shirt bracelets.

5. The 5 Minute Headband – Got an old necktie in your stash? All you need are a sewing machine, a little elastic, and 5 minutes to whip up an upcycled headband.

Have you guys made any upcycled, DIY accessories lately? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!

Written by Becky Striepe

My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”), and I am a crafts and food writer from Atlanta, Georgia with a passion for making our planet a healthier, happier, and more compassionate place to live. My mission is to make vegan food and crafts accessible to everyone!. If you like my work, you can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and .

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