DENVER -- Do you ever wonder why the sachets you see for sale are so expensive? This is largely because the dried lavender buds they are filled with are quite costly, often more $25 a pound! But fortunately, a little lavender goes a long way and if you're willing to spend a small amount of time, and just a dab of money, you can whip up a batch of bejeweled sachets in no time!

Even at $25 a pound, a quarter-pound of lavender buds is certainly affordable. And this amount of dried material will be enough to make about eight sachets.

And chances are you have beautiful decorations for them lurking in the back corners of your jewelry box. Who doesn't have a handful of lonely single earrings that have lost their mates? Or a pin or two that while still pretty, is no longer in style? And if you go to estate sales and can't resist buying old costume jewelry, this is the perfect project to make use of those ultra sparkly rhinestone clip on earrings that you couldn't resist.

As a result, these sachets are pretty enough to leave out on your dresser or desk, anywhere you want to add a scent-sational decorative touch!

What You Need

Dried lavender buds (available at Wild Oats in the bulk herb section)
Silk or other thin natural fiber fabric
Bowl or plate, about 8" diameter
Soft lead pencil
Scissors
1/2" wide ribbon, 10" for each sachet
Assorted old jewelry -- pins, earrings, or just beads
Heavy duty thread, needle

What to Do

1.Lay fabric flat. Lay inverted bowl or plate on fabric, trace around edge with soft pencil.

2.Cut out circle.

3.Measure about 1/4 cup lavender buds. Place mound in center of circle.

4.Gather up fabric from edges of circle to center. Hold tightly in place.

5.Tie length of ribbon tightly around fabric so that lavender compresses snugly into fabric. Make sure knot is secure.

6.About 1" down from loose ends of ribbon, tie both together in an over hand knot. The loop of ribbon becomes the hanger, so you can hang the sachet over a hanger or a drawer pull.

7.Push the gathered fabric at the top of the sachet open on top of the sachet. If your decoration is a brooch, simply pin it in the center. If you are using a clip on earring or bead, a few hidden stitches with the heavy duty thread will hold the decorative element in place.

8.Simply squeeze the sachet to release the fragrance.

Variations: use pretty vintage hankies just as they are without cutting them to make larger sachets. Or make smaller ones (simply use a smaller plate for a pattern and smaller amount of lavender) to keep inside a purse or pocket. You could also use circles of tulle netting, which are available pre-cut in the bridal section of the craft store to make sachets.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions for me, e-mail me at 11am@TheDenverChannel.com.