As poor college students, most of us are scraping money together just to keep ourselves fed. Most people’s last concern is whether or not they are remaining fashionable.

Then there are people like me. I choose shoes over eating dinner. Those earrings will cost me gas money. I don’t need that textbook because I must have the sunglasses.

There is an alternative to starving and stranding yourself when money is tight. It is the wonderful world of DIY, or Do It Yourself, fashion. Let’s keep one thing in mind, I have no artistic talent. I couldn’t draw a recognizable stick figure, but I can make these items. You don’t need amazing artistic talent to make something unique and personalized.

Earrings and Necklaces

The latest earring trends are drop or chandelier earrings. These happen to be the easiest types of earrings to make. All you need to do is go to Michael’s or another similar craft store and find the bead aisle. Depending on the store, there might be earring making kits available, if not simply look for these items.

YOU WILL NEED:

2 Head Pins

Beads of your choice

2 French Wires

You simply slide the beads onto the head pin, bend the head pin closed and then put the french wire through the closed hole and then bend it closed. Instructions with illustrations can be found at http://www.beadage.net/drop_earrings/drop.shtml.

Necklaces can be made with fishing line, chain, ribbon, leather or beads. These two items are easy and creative projects that could double as birthday presents for friends.

SCARVES:

No matter what the season, scarfs are in style. Thick scarves, used for practical purposes in the winter, as just as easy to make as thin scarves used as accessories in the fall.

For those who didn’t get the lessons at the School of Knitting taught by their Grandma, the website http://www.learntoknit.com is a useful source. The site even claims that “Knitting is HOT!”, yes HOT

Once you get the hang of knitting you can knit anywhere and anytime. It requires no thought and becomes habit.

YOU WILL NEED:

2 knitting needles

Yarn

Other DIY items include purses and stenciled t-shirts. With a little creativity and spare time, you can have a unique accessory sure to be complimented.