New Uses for Accessories

Glasses Case as Makeup Organizer

With the cameras flashing and all eyes on you, there’s a lot of pressure to look your very best. Stash extra makeup—think lip gloss and concealer—in an empty glasses case and tuck in your purse for quick touch up’s throughout the day.

Brooch as Bouquet Embellishment

Whether you’ve held onto your grandmother’s keepsake or purchased something special for this occasion, add some bling to your bouquet. The flowers may last only a few days, but you’ll always have the pin—and the memories that go along with it.

Hanger as Ribbon Organizer

Turn a tangle of ribbons into a neat presentation. Hang coordinating colors over the prongs of a tie hanger.

Tulle as Votive Embellishment

Add a feminine and romantic touch to the reception by illuminating tables with an array of small glass votives wrapped in delicate white tulle.

Ribbon as Shoelace

Let everyone know you march to the beat of your own drum; use colorful ribbon in place of shoelaces. Change when the mood strikes.

Gift Box as Sugar Holder

More lovely to look at than the branded box from the store, but it still slides easily into the pantry for storage.

Hair Clip as Shoe Embellishment

Are those comfy pumps in need of something special for your big day? Attach your favorite sparkly hair clip to add just the right amount of flair.

Rubber Band as Jar Opener

Get a grip on a tricky top; wrap a rubber band around a slippery or sticky lid to give yourself some extra oomph.

Jewelry Box as Coaster

A pretty jewelry box top is the perfect size for most wine glasses. Decorate the inside or add some confetti for a party.

Shoe Boxes as Drawer Dividers

Time for your lingerie drawer to step into line. Cut shoe boxes in half, along the length or width, and fill the resulting compartments with folded briefs, socks, or stacked bras.

Socks as Floor Protector

Protect wood floors. Slide socks onto the legs of chairs and tables so they don’t scratch the floor when you rearrange the room (yet again).

Button as Earring Holder

Travel is best done in pairs (think of Lewis and Clark or Thelma and Louise). To keep a set of earrings together on your next overnight jaunt, fasten them to a button so they won’t get lost in your suitcase pocket.

Contact Lens Case as Travel Spice Holder

Pack small amounts of salt, pepper, and spices for a camping trip.

Panty Hose as Candle Cleaner

Revive a forgotten flickerer. Slide a dusty candle inside a stocking and roll it around.

Felt Pads as Clothing Securer

Help strappy garments stay on hangers. Affix a circle to each end.

Q-Tip as Makeup Brush

Artfully dab on costume makeup without getting your good makeup brushes dirty.

Felt Pads as Cutting Board Anchor

Anchor a cutting board’s corners to make prep work easier and safer.

Cornstarch as Makeup Protector

Balance the oiliness of moisturizing makeup. Brush on a thin layer as a finishing touch.

Deodorant as Blister Preventer

Make breaking shoes in less of a pain. Rub clear-gel deodorant on spots prone to blistering before you step out in a stiff new pair.

Sandpaper as Knit Depiller

Wipe fine-grit sandpaper over a sweater in one direction—gently!—to lift pesky pills.

Belt Hanger as Kitchen Towel Hooks

Hook extra dish towels and pot holders on a belt hanger for easy retrieval.

Plastic Drinking Straw as Knot Preventer

For tangle-free jewelry during your travels, unclasp the chain, thread it through a plastic drinking straw, and reclasp. For a shorter chain, cut the drinking straw to the desired length.

Lint Roller as Handbag Cleaner

Quickly clean the interior of your purse by running a lint roller over the lining. Submitted by: Dotchie

Tissue Paper as Purse Shaper

Help a purse or boots to keep its shape with tissue stuffed inside.

Brooches as Refrigerator Decoration

Instead of tossing out seldom worn or broken brooches, remove the pins with a wire cutter, glue a magnet to the back of each, then use them to mount postcards, children’s artwork, or this week’s grocery list.

Post Earring as Eyeglasses Screw

Use a spare post earring to fix broken spectacles (without resorting to tape). If the tiny screw that connects the arm to the frame of your glasses goes missing, replace it with a stud and secure it with the back for a temporary solution.

Hair Clip as Towel Securer

Maintain some modesty in the locker room. Hold towel in place with a clawlike clip post-shower.

Baby Oil as Necklace Detangler

Rub a few drops of baby oil into each knot and work them gently free with a straight pin.

Bobby Pin as Bookmark

Use a bejeweled hair clip to save your place in the latest thriller. Slide the pin over a few pages (so it stays in place) to mark where you left off.

Bracelet as Napkin Ring

When a plain napkin simply won’t do, break out the bangles and dress up a place setting.

Brooch as Sweater Securer

Adjust the fit of—and add a touch of sparkle to—a loose blouse or shirt by pinning it in back with a brooch. Or turn a cardigan into a form-fitting wrap sweater: Pull one side across the body and pin it in place.

Dental Floss as Umbrella Mender

If your umbrella has detached from its metal spines, tie or sew it back together with waxed floss, which will endure longer than regular thread.

Hair Dryer as Eyeglasses Fitter

Give store-bought plastic eyeglasses a custom fit. Heat them with a dryer, then mold them to suit your face.

Jewelry Box as Drawer Organizer

Those little boxes are so sturdy and tidy that you hate to throw them out, so don't. Instead, clip them together to create a neat divided storage area for pens and pencils, lipsticks, plastic flatware—whatever it is that clutters your drawer.

Nail Polish as Snag Preventer

Keep a snag in your stockings from growing by dabbing it with clear nail polish.

Newspaper as Shoe Deodorizer

Help shoes keep their shape and smell fresh by stuffing them with newspaper after wearing them.

Panty Hose as Candle Duster

Remove dust from candles by running it through the leg of an old pair of panty hose.

Pencil Eraser as Earring Securer

If the backing for one of your studs goes AWOL, slice off a disk-shaped wedge from an eraser. The earring will stay put, even if your pencil looks denuded.

Photo Box as Jewelry Organizer

Organize delicate jewelry by placing necklace chains, charms, and small earrings in individual vellum envelopes inside the box.

Plastic Trays as Boot Holders

Contain rain-boot runoff by placing a tray near the entryway when wet weather descends.

Sock as Wine Bag

Slip a (clean) patterned kneesock over the bottom of a bottle, then knot the top to create a decorative carrier. Better yet, offer your hostess two bottles so she can later enjoy toasty toes.

Soda Bottle as Boot Supporter

Insert an empty one-liter plastic bottle into a tall boot to keep it from sagging, creasing, or toppling over. Bonus: Upright boots create space on your closet floor to fill as you please (hmm…more boots?).

Step Stool as Shoe Organizer

Rest your soles. Store shoes on the tiers of a stool in the closet.

Tape as Shoelace Aglets

Seal the end of a frayed shoelace rather than running out for a replacement.

Vitamin Organizer as Travel Jewelry Box

Pack enough jewelry for a week away. The individual compartments are the perfect place to keep earrings, necklaces, and rings safe and tangle-free.

Wine Bottle as Boot Supporter

Preserve the shape of tall leather boots by placing a bottle into each one's shaft for reinforcement.

Wristband as Coffee Sleeve

Protect your hands from an extra-hot latte by stretching a wristband around the coffee cup so your fingertips don't get burned. (Your tongue is another matter, so sip with care, for goodness' sake.)

Wristwatch as Earring Holder

Keep track of your earrings while you hit the gym (or the spa). Place the studs through the holes on the watch strap and then attach their backs.

Paper Towel Tube as Wrinkle Preventer

Ward off wrinkles in silk scarves by wrapping them around the tube between wearings.

Hosiery as Hairbrush Cleaner

Prevent gunk from settling into your hairbrush by pushing a swatch of stocking fabric over the bristles, so it rests on the base. When the brush needs cleaning, remove the swatch and hair and product buildup will go with it.

Ice-Cube Tray as Jewelry Storage

Each ring, necklace, bracelet, and pair of earrings gets its own cubby when you use an ice-cube tray to organize your baubles. Trays can be stacked in a drawer for a multitier alternative jewelry box.

Mailing Tubes as Fabric Smoothers

To keep a scarf or tablecloth wrinkle-free roll the fabric around the tube then run a length of ribbon through it and tie a bow.

Mitten as Sunglasses Protector

Save your shades from scratches by slipping them into a spare mitten before stashing them in your purse or glove compartment.

Nail Polish as Screw Securer

After tightening the loose screw, dab polish across the top for a longer-lasting fix.

Cooking Oil as Shoe Polish

Use a damp cloth to wipe away dirt, then apply a small drop of oil to a soft cloth and rub the surface to remove scuff marks.

Plastic Bag as Shoe Protector

It will never be a fashion trend, but tying bags over your shoes can keep you from tracking mud into the house when you come in, or protect slippers from dirt, snow, or rain when you run out to fetch the paper from the front lawn. (Be careful when walking on smooth surfaces, as the plastic won't give you any traction.)

Ribbon as Umbrella Tie

A rainy day equals wanting to stay in bed, under the covers. That’s rarely possible, but there is a silver lining. You can brighten up a decidedly utilitarian umbrella by tying a pretty bow on it.

Ribbon as Cuff Link

When you’re wearing a French-cuffed shirt, substitute a snip of ribbon for cuff links to keep your sleeves closed. Just slide a piece of ribbon through and tie a knot on each end. They’ll stop your arms from getting a chill and add a little color to a wardrobe staple.

Rubber Band as Earring Backing

When you’ve lost (another) backing to the Bermuda Triangle of jewelry, mosey on over to the junk drawer and cut out a small square from a thick rubber band.

Scarf as Christmas Tree Skirt

If each member of your family has, oh, four or five scarves, put some of them to work as a tree skirt. Arrange in a pinwheel fashion around the base of the tree and secure with safety pins.

Shower Curtain Hooks as Handbag Storage

Place hooks on a closet bar and hang purse handles from them to keep your carry-alls at eye level. Say goodbye to a mess of accessories on your closet floor.

Toilet Paper Tube as Hair Accessory Holder

Store hair accessories on an empty TP tube by stretching elastics around the roll and sliding clips and bobby pins on one end.

Trouser Sock as Cord Organizer

Contain computer or television cords inside a stretchy trouser sock with the toe cut off.

Tube Socks as Wiper Protectors

Come on―when was the last time you wore them, anyway? Instead, slip a pair over your windshield wipers on the eve of a storm so you won’t have to deice the blades in the morning.

Zippered Plastic Bag as Jewelry Storage

Snack-size bags are perfect for packing a weekend’s worth of jewelry. Bag silver jewelry to reduce tarnishing. Dedicate a bag to extra earring backs.

Corkboard as Jewelry Organizer

Prevent necklaces from tangling in your jewlery box by hanging them on a cork board with thumbtacks.

Nail Polish as Eyeglass Screw Securer

Keep a loose screw secure in your eyeglass frames by dabbing it with a touch of clear nail polish.

Sock as Coffee Cup Sleeve

Protect your fingers from being burnt on a hot cuppa joe, by slipping a sock over the cardboard.

Sock as Light Bulb Protector

If a loose lightbulb has lost its box, slip a sock over the bulb to prevent it from shattering.

Cork as Earring Holder

Marry pairs of earrings. Stick the posts into a cork to keep them together.

Dental Floss as Necklace String

Rethread the beads of a broken necklace. Slide beads onto a piece of floss one by one, leaving a few extra inches of loose string. Tie the ends to the jewelry findings from the original necklace and knot several times.

Eyeglasses Case as Snack Bar Holder

To prevent a breakfast bar from becoming a breakfast crumble, stash it in an eyeglass or pencil case before throwing it in your bag.

Sock as Mason Jar Cover

Desk upgrade. Place a Mason jar into a pretty patterned sock, then tuck excess fabric inside the jar. Fill with supplies.

Paper Doily as Tote-Bag Art

Jazz up a canvas tote by securing a doily to it with adhesive spray, scalloped-side up, then gently painting over the holes with fabric paint. Remove the doily and let dry.