How to Glam Up Your Accessories

Studs are all over the runways, but you don’t have to buy new designer accessories — or pay designer prices — to get the look.

Use our how-tos for studded bracelets, tote bags, key chains, earrings, and more to make your own accessories, or just use our instructions to add studs to items you already own.

See More: 8 Unique Handmade Holiday Gifts That Will Impress

+ Studs, also referred to as nailheads, come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes. This glossary will help you identify the types used in these projects.

+ Round needle-nose pliers are great for tiny details. The fine tips easily bend the spikes on the back of your studs, securing them in place on fabric or leather.

+ Nylon jaw pliers are wide, flat, and coated in plastic. They are great for tightening a stud after the spikes have been folded over because the nylon coating will prevent them from scarring or denting the top of your stud.

…

Earrings

These earrings are so easy and inexpensive to make, you can make a few pairs for yourself and a few pairs to give away!

Tools and Materials:
Studs
Earring posts
Chipboard
Superglue
Round needle-nose pliers

Trace a stud onto chipboard twice. Using a craft knife, cut out along the inside of your traced line to ensure the pieces will fit just inside the stud. Use a pushpin to poke a small hole in the center or top of each.

Poke the posts through the small hole in the chipboard pieces, adding a dab of glue between chipboard and post before squeezing together. Stand on flat end of post and allow to dry for 30 minutes.

Add a small bead of glue inside stud and place the flat side of chipboard on top; it should fit snugly. Using round needle-nose pliers, fold down spikes around the stud, securing chipboard and post in place. Allow glue to dry for 30 minutes.

…

Shirts

Try a subtle accent by covering shirt buttons with pyramid studs. By simply placing the studs over top of the existing buttons, they can be added and removed without affecting the original shirt.

Tools and Materials:
Round needle-nose pliers
Studs (choose studs large enough to fit over the buttons, but small enough to come through the buttonhole when the shirt is unbuttoned)

Place stud on top of button. Use round needle-nose pliers to fold stud spikes around back of button, securing the stud in place.

…

Thin Bracelets

Tools and Materials:
Thin webbing and leather strips, 1/8” to 1/2” wide
Clasps, tags, jump rings
Scissors
Craft knife
Studs
Round needle-nose pliers and nylon jaw pliers

Cut webbing or leather length to fit wrist. Push stud spikes through webbing and fold closed with needle-nose pliers.

For Leather Bracelets
Press stud into strip, creating an indentation where each spike will go. Use the tip of your craft knife to pierce the leather at each of these marks. Push stud through at these marks, closing spikes around leather with your needle-nose pliers. Squeeze with nylon jaw pliers to secure studs.

If using studs wider than your leather, fold perpendicular spikes in before attaching stud, then fold parallel spikes over the edge of strip, clamping stud in place.

More from Martha Stewart:
Warm Up with a DIY Polka-Dotted Scarf 
How-to: Glittery Corn on the Cob Centerpiece
Handmade Turkey Place Cards for a Festive Thanksgiving
Crafty Idea for This Year’s Thanksgiving Table 
Sparkling Holiday-Home Projects