I think it’s cool that Urban Outfitters sells DIY kits for making some of their jewelry items and other accessories.  But sometimes it’s hard to take them seriously.  For instance, I would have a hard time paying $14 for UO’s kit for a washer-and-ribbon necklace based on a 1941 design by artist Anni Albers.  After all, the kit is just a bag of washers and a length of ribbon!  Luckily for cheapskates like you and I, Jina from Tiny Sparkly Things sat down with a pile of washers and figured out how it was done.  She even drew up her own diagram showing how to thread the washers together.  Thanks, Jina!  [how to make a washer and ribbon necklace]

Project estimate:

  • Washers, $1 and up
  • Ribbon, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up