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Accessories of Old popular among the young

Rolls of intricate trimming line the walls. Glass beads, opal discs and ribbon embellish vintage belt buckles. Lace, buttons and sequins accent intricate hair clips, and accessories covered with rhinestones, feathers, sequins, and shells in intricate patterns glisten in the display cases.

At Accessories of Old, customers can decorate anything from hats, belts and clips to pendants and jewelry. The store, located on St. Elmo's Avenue in Bethesda, opened two months ago.

Customers can come into the store throughout the day and either bring in an accessory from home or buy one at the store to decorate using a wide selection of vintage materials. Classes and birthday parties are also available, in which the owners, Andrew and Lisa Mainz, help with design ideas and demonstrate how to properly assemble an accessory so that all the pieces will stay on. Both owners are knowledgeable about their products and have many creative ideas to help each customer.

Near the entrance of the store stand cases filled with silver clips, berets and oval pendants, as well as stacks of hats and spools of ribbon. A small staircase leads to several wooden tables in the back of the store where customers can choose from a variety of decorative supplies.

Undecorated products offered at Accessories of Old range from $2 to 150 dollars, so this creative activity can fit into anyone's budget. For those who either don't have time or aren't very artistic, Lisa sells pre-embellished accessories both at the store and on their website at www.accessoriesofold.com.

Accessories of Old is an enjoyable place to go with friends, and is more affordable and innovative than other established make-your-own stores, such as Made By You. The Mainz's store allows customers to make useful and fashionable accessories that have their own personal trade-mark.

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