The resurgence of the ’90s and Y2K aesthetic, Taylor Swift’s appeal to “make the friendship bracelets,” and even our own collective rediscovery for the love of handcrafting under lockdown has given way for the DIY accessories trend to rise to “trendy” popularity.
Brands and small businesses alike are adapting this element of customizability, banking on customer’s uniqueness and the collective’s growing love for all things kitsch.
It’s more than just bespoke though or having an item made especially for you. The make/design-your-own trend today asks for more than just a design brief—it gives us near total free reign on how to put together the product, with the brand/business simply providing the elements and the technical know-how. The rest is up to us.
Want to make and own one-of-a-kind, DIY accessories to truly make your OOTDs yours? Check out these brands.
Russet Accessories’ Create Your Own Jewelry
Currently a constant presence in weekend market pop-ups, Russet Accessories started their Create Your Own Jewelry in 2019, particularly for earrings. They recently revived the concept to include more DIY accessories with necklaces, bracelets, and rings.
“We’ve always championed the engagement and inclusion of our customers in the creative process, by encouraging them to flex their creativity muscle, be it through the selection of their charms and bases down to how they wear and style their jewelry,” says Russet Accessories founder Stef Mesina.
Assembly usually takes around 10 minutes, Mesina shares, but because they currently have more than 400 charms in their collection, customers often take time to create and curate their pieces.
You can design your own jewelry through their pop-ups or online (depending on available slots).
Invitation House’s DIY Bag Bar
This local novelty and gift shop may have long been known for their collection of personalized stationery, gift cards, and event invitations, but the brand has evolved to carry a variety of home items, too. They’ve also launched their Re:Fill line, which features silicone accessories like bags and pouches as well as reusable items like tumblers.
Under the Re:Fill line, Invitation House also launched their DIY Bag Bar, where customers can choose from a base of either straw, beaded, or silicone pouches. These pouches (which come in a variety of cute colors!) can then be customized with your choice of either a full-length paracord strap or a hand strap, various cute keychains and charms, and other decorative accessories.
Inspired by the customizable bag bar concepts in South Korea, Invitation House thought of applying the concept to their own store with their own offerings. Their bags are sourced locally, with the straw bags made in Davao while the beaded pouches are from Bicol.
A bonus: These bags are perfectly cute for the summer! The silicone pouches are waterproof, making it an ideal beach buddy while the straw and beaded pouches capture the tropical aesthetic.
You can make your own bag through their store in Greenbelt 5 or online.
Studio 925’s metalsmithing and jewelry-making classes
For something totally handmade, you can try out a metalsmithing class at Studio 925. Studio 925’s founders both come from families with legacies in the art of jewelry, and they envisioned the workshop to become a place for “aspiring metalsmiths and jewelry designers [to] come together and learn new crafting techniques.”
While they accept custom orders (where you do send a peg and design idea for them to make), you can also join any of their classes, which are open to all levels. They offer intro classes to both goldsmithing and silversmithing as well as project-based classes, pattern-making, and even DIY wedding band-making.
Header art by Ella Lambio
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