Sometimes, special occasions call for fresh accessories. Instead of heading to a boutique or scouring the Internet for that perfect finishing touch, create something truly unique with a little ingenuity and items you already have on hand.
That’s what I did recently when I needed a clutch for a party. Since I didn’t want to spend much—or anything, really—on an accessory I might use just once, I decided to repurpose items to make something new. I used a makeup case I got for $1 at a sample sale, a bit of lace I got at a flea market, and a small gold bee pin my sister gave me as a gift.
Since the lace was initially a bright white, I decided to tea-stain it to give my creation a bit more antique flair. If you’ve never tea-stained before, you’re in good company. This was my first time attempting it! I found it quite easy to do, and I think you will too. Tea staining is not an exact science—which is great if you’re like me and like to improvise.
What You Will Need:
- A large pot
- Generic black tea bags (I used ten)
- Tongs
- Lace and/or other items to stain
- A clothing line and clothing pins to hang lace dry (optional; I just used my cabinet knobs)
The Process
1. Fill pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add tea bags and allow them to steep until the water has reached your desired color, or approximately ten minutes.
2. Place lace into pot with tongs; ensure it is fully submerged so you achieve an even color throughout. Leave lace in the pot until you have reached your desired color, keeping in mind the color will look lighter after rinsing and drying.
3. Once the lace has reached the color you like, remove it from the pot with tongs. Rinse lace under the faucet briefly.
4. Hang to dry.
The Finished Product
Once my lace had dried, I simply draped in a pleasing position over my makeup bag and stitched it carefully into place by hand with a needle and beige thread. I added the gold bee pin last, and my one-of-a-kind clutch was ready for a night out.
