The designers at Ecoist have made a name for themselves with cute, clever goods that sturdily rework material that would otherwise have gone to waste: a line of handbags made from old movie billboards, for instance, or bracelets made from folded-up candy wrappers. Their new line of clutches, though ($58 each), sports a design that suggests the purses might have their own second life after serving their initial purpose: The sleek handbags (the Diva clutch is pictured), in materials ranging from funky to mod, are already available in a dainty 7.5-inch length, but are about to be offered in a swanky foot-long version that will look good at a nightclub. If and when the winds of fashion make them undesirable, though, give them to a guy like me, because I’ve found a perfect reuse: One of those foot-long clutches is the perfect size to hold a pocket digital camera, an iPod, a GPS and a cell phone (plus a couple of stray wires and headphones) so they won’t jostle around or get smashed in your backpack or suitcase; the quilty con- struction makes it rigid and padded enough that you needn’t worry much when struggling through airport security, and it can be retrieved easily from a plane’s overhead compartment for all your digi-entertainment needs. (Incidentally: The candy wrappers, soda labels and food packages used for this line are “repurposed” instead of “recycled,” which means they’ve never contained anything edible or ant-attracting; instead, they’re manufacturer misprints or excess packaging that would have gone into landfills if someone didn’t find a way to use them.)

It’s almost sandal weather, tank-top and shorts time, the season of swimsuits drying on the line. If you’re already showing a bit more skin than usual, you might want to add one or two pieces of jewelry in an unexpected place. No, we aren’t suggesting a new piercing, but maybe a toe ring? They’re fun and they bring an exotic flare to one little piggy while the other nine reap the extra attention. Toe-rific Jewelry makes simple, inexpensive fitted rings, such as the sun-catching, gold-filled silver multi-hammered ring ($15). If you prefer gold jewelry, the Plumeria band ($60), a circle of little flowers, is delicate and feminine. To get some sparkle in your step, there’s an adjustable gold or white-gold twist with eight round cubic zirconia from Grace Jewelry ($83). Moving up from your feet, the options multiply when it comes to anklets. A wide variety of simple sterling-silver chain models are available at Auntie’s Treasures, where the length of the chain determines the price. We like the beaded box-chain anklet ($8.32 for 9 inches). Want something more unique? Designer YuccaBloom has a collection of anklets featuring gemstones, Balinese beads, shell and more. For anklets at the higher end of the market, we adore the rose- and white-gold designer anklet at Heavenly Treasures ($225, pictured) and the dainty bezel-set diamond chain anklet ($542) from Bill Barnes. To glorify your curvy midsection, especially in a bikini, a waist chain says far more than any necklace. Body Candy sells back belly chains. Here the pendant or focal point of the jewelry is set at the small of the back. For waist chains with Swarovski pearls and crystals, go to Looney Maiden Jewelry, where prices run from $105 to $160. All chains are 36 inches, but you can add inches for $2 each to get the length you want.

You may think you’re looking chic at work with those cute oversized hoop earrings or that trendy chunky bracelet, but you’re not. That’s because of what is hanging around your neck. That clunky ID badge, bearing your name, rank and employee number, pretty much blows any style statement. It generally hangs on a utilitarian black cord thingy and is probably the first thing people notice about your carefully crafted look. But you don’t have to live under the thumb of the workplace fashion police. What you need is a bejeweled practical accessory. Pretty lanyards at Stylish Credentials can be had for less than $15. Chose from a variety made from designer beads, glass pearls, precious and semi-precious stones and metals. The workmanship and intricate designs and selections of gem-colored beads make these lanyards (from $15.95 to $40) and these ($20), from Moonbabies.com, truly wearable art. Artfully support breast cancer awareness with this style, or emulate executive elegance with Amtraco’s lanyard constructed of semi-precious stones, beads of Swarovski crystal, freshwater pearl and Czech glass. These lanyard/necklaces may look delicate, but they are assembled with coated stainless wires to withstand plenty of stress – the kind you feel at the end of a bad day when you want to yank it off and toss it across the room. Tell everyone you’re cool with a hip cat piece, or show your feminine side with these bejeweled credentials from BeaDing-a-Ling (you have to call to get prices and order pieces). While many sites pull your look together for you, complete with lanyard, badge holder and reel, those items can be bought separately at Kennyproducts.com and MyJewelThief.com. Whatever you do, ditch that company-issued number.

Being a fool for wienie dogs, I’m always on the lookout for dachshund-inspired objects and books, but my amazement at Fuzzy Nation Couture’s faux-crocodile red dachshund ($180, pictured), Burrberry chihuahua ($59), and bronze pug ($140) handbags has led me to several wacky animal-inspired fashions. If you’re saying, “But what will I wear with those nutty handbags?” Fuzzy Nation also offers newsboy hats ($32) and brooches ($12) to complete your ensemble. Carnaval and Mardi Gras 2008 may be over, but Halloween costume parties can give you reason to wear Laurie Jacob’s Blowfish Bra ($250) from her Spiky Bras collection. The padded push-up bra is made of 100 percent breathable synthetic, and the designer promises that “proceeds from all sales will go to my eventual analysis.” Over at Etsy, artist Neile’s Butterfly Wing Jewelry combines fine silversmithing with an eye for design and a love of butterflies. “The butterflies I use are farmed all over the world, and harvested after their natural death. No butterflies are killed for my use,” Neile reassures, for guilt-free shopping. Also at Etsy, check out the Cool Kitten Skirts like this one ($43.95) by Koosi, an artist from the Netherlands, or this “seriously cool” one from Kinchi ($43). Cool? I don’t know about that, but they’re awfully cute if you’re into kittens. Whatever species you adore, go get your wacky animal groove on.

So you want to be a rock/pop/hiphop star? Such an ambitious dream calls for extreme fashion measures. Serious guitar players can join the ranks of Elvis Costello, Kid Rock, David Bowie (and many more) with a handcrafted Jodi Head guitar strap. They’re stylish and strong and fit every personal style. If you’re going for a theatrical, over-the-top stage presence, you must call Manuel Cuevas of Manuel’s Exclusive Clothier, the legendary Nashville outfitter who has designed stunning embroidered pieces, including the costumes the Beatles wore on the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (pictured). He has also designed for country legends like Johnny Cash and the incomparable Bob Dylan. Manuel is so exclusive, he doesn’t have a web site! But you can give him a call at (615) 321-5444. His custom, glittery outfits usually run from $5,000 to $7,500 (see this photo gallery of Manuel’s creations), but he does have a new ready-to-wear line with that star quality. Add some sparkle to your stage presence at Jacob & Co., where “Jacob the Jeweler” has provided mind-boggling bling to hiphop artists, singers and musicians including 50 Cent, Sir Elton John, Bono, Lenny Kravitz, Beyonce and dozens more. Check out these 18K white gold skull cufflinks with 6.79 carats worth of diamonds. And we all know that every rock star worth their salt has to have at least one pair of leather pants. Look no further than Agatha Blois of New York City Custom Leather. Her designs have adorned some of the best bad boys and girls of rock such as Judas Priest and Joan Jett. She’s even managed to give some edge to pop tarts Britney Spears and the Spice Girls with cool leather tops and other slick apparel. You can look like you’ve raided the closet of pop/fashion icon Gwen Stefani (pictured) just by wearing some of her L.A.M.B. designs, like this sleek rocker rebel skirt ($225) or her leopard leggings ($95).

Never mind that Valentine’s Day came and went without any bling hiding between the Godivas. Spring is coming – go ahead, take the initiative and add some sparkle to your life, specifically your right hand. In case you haven’t heard, cocktail rings have made a comeback. Also known as dinner rings, right-hand rings and statement rings, these baubles are meant to be big and in-your-face flashy – that’s what makes them so much fun. Shopperati found a delicious array of gorgeous rings waiting to adorn your fingers at Ross Simons, including this 11.5-carat amethyst ring accented by diamonds in 14k white gold ($595). Or maybe you’d prefer the mellow yellow of this 9.6-carat lemon quartz and diamond 14k ring ($175). If you have a big appetite for carats, check out this vintage-inspired 20-carat smoky quartz ring in yellow 14k gold ($250). Vintage purists will be delighted with the large selection of extremely reasonable one-of-a-kind estate pieces including these exquisite floral rings. We could not decide which was prettiest – this 1970s amethyst and diamond floral ring ($1,276, pictured) or this lovely opal and diamond floral ring ($716) from the 1960s. In the end, you may be drawn to the more reasonably priced florals like this 1970s ruby and gold flower ring ($316) or this 1960s 18k yellow gold and pearl ring ($396, pictured). But if you’re looking to treat yourself, then these diamond floral rings from the 1950s are the way to go. Good luck choosing between the .75 carat diamond flower ring or the even blingier 1.40 carat style. The ice was also nice at other retailers such as Ice.com, Bailey Banks and Biddle, David Yurman and even department stores such as Nordstrom and Macy’s. Go ahead, make your day. You can blame it on spring fever.

A few years ago, laboratory-created gems were not something a woman would readily admit to wearing. Nowadays, however, man-made gems like Moissanite are becoming popular, because some consumers want to avoid problems associated with the diamond industry. Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie Blood Diamond, and books like Tom Zoellner’s The Heartless Stone have shed light on violence,  the industry’s exploitation of African diamond miners and diamonds’ popularity among smugglers and gun dealers. The diamond industry has taken steps, such as the Kimberley Process, which prevents the sale of diamonds from war areas, and a System of Warranties, which lets buyers know their diamonds are from a safe area. That hasn’t stopped the controversy, and besides, Moissanite, which looks just like diamonds, sparkling and brilliant, was discovered by French scientist Dr. Henri Moissan in 1893. He found this substance in a meteorite. However, man-made Moissanite was not manufactured until 1995. Moissanite-Collection.com has some fabulous designs as part of their Cassini Collection. The Casino Royale ring is a 3-carat ring in 14k white gold for $2,297. The Cara Bella ring a 3.3-carat Moissanite gem in a 14K gold ring, for $1,997. Home Shopping Network has a large selection of Moissanite, like a 2-carat, 14k gold eternity band ring for $1,199. Another pretty and popular item is the 1-carat Angelfire 14K pendant with 18’’ chain, for $699. More affordably, J. Mauer Jewelry carries half-carat Moissanite stud earrings for $158. Think of Moissanite jewelry like fake fur — all of the glamour with none of the guilt.

If you have a spectacular black-tie event coming up, you too can wear some fabulous jewelry. While most of us can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars on a necklace, pair of earrings or diamond-encrusted watch, the clever people at Blingyourself.com have made it possible to rent these sparklies for a fraction of what it would cost to buy them. Here’s how it works: Customers decide either to be a “member” for $10 a month or a guest (members get discounted prices). Then they can rent a piece on a weekly basis for as little as $24 a week for the “Silver” collection, which includes a multicolored crystal-inset Roberto Cavalli snake bracelet, which would cost $350 to purchase. Items in the “Gold” collection rent for $56 a week and include a hammered-gold-and-silver bracelet, designed by John Hardy, which sells for $895. Rental fees rise with the value of the pieces do. A diamond heart-shaped ring by Chopard, which retails for $5,600, is in the “Platinum Prestige II” group, with a rental fee of $400 a week. Needless to say, you need to have a substantial credit line to rent the high-end luxury pieces; if an item is not returned, the customer’s credit card is charged for the retail price. Bagborroworsteal.com is another source for “borrowing” jewelry, such as these pave-crystal Chanel bow earrings (pictured; $64 per week or $180 per month). It also offers designer handbags, such as as a gold-colored Badgley Mischka Iris evening bag ($12 a week or $34 a month; retail price is $395) or a Gucci Guccissima Boston Bag ($72 a week or $212 a month; retail price is $695). Like Blingyourself.com, Bagborroworsteal charges lower rental prices for members. Either of these sites make it possible to look movie-star gorgeous for one night — and you won’t regret it when you look at your credit card statement the following month.