DIY Santa

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More About

• Ross
• Swarovski Crystal
• Industries
• Retail Trade

You know shit is wicked rough when luxe retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom are offering deep discounts, and piles of Coach purses and Prada wallets are popping up at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross. Recession time, and the living ain’t easy for many a retailer. If the big guys are hurting, imagine how the little guys are doing. These days, one of the easiest ways to give back to the community is by supporting small local businesses. So we’re bypassing the mall and hitting up our local bead shops to make DIY holiday gifts and sign up for jewelry-making classes. As it turns out, moms appreciate gifts much more when they know you made ’em yourself. And sometimes they like it even more when you take them out to do something together — after all, Santa can’t leave quality time under the tree. It’s like two gifts in one!

At Bijoux Design Creations, a basic bead-stringing class runs $25 plus the cost of the beads you choose, and it typically takes an hour and a half to complete a necklace you can wear with pride. Chandelier earrings classes will set you back only $30, and you can make a beautiful tree of life pendant for $40. Classes are offered on an appointment basis, Tuesday through Friday. Visit www.bijouxdesigns.com. At Bead Me (5704 Bird Rd., Miami), classes cost $20 to $25, and the store is open both Monday and Tuesday — just in time to make Mom a pretty Swarovski crystal necklace. Single beads sell for just 8 to 60 cents, and strands run $2.90 to $30.
Mon., Dec. 22, 2008