It’s that time again — when we prepare to ring in the new by celebrating the best of the past year. So this week, we give you some of our favorite stories from 2006.

Originally published on 10/6/06

Time for your first lesson of the day, class: One bead shop plus two spools of fishing wire does not equal a wearable accessory.

If you’re tired of flunking Fashion 101, hit the stacks for a little research by way of Dirty Librarian Chains. Designer — and former Austinite — Susan Domelsmith ingeniously reworks vintage chains (by knotting, tangling, and draping) with unique materials (like charms, medallions, and pendants) into jaw-dropping masterpieces.

Each creation even has a distinctive name, such as the smartly tasseled Magazine, multilayered Call Number, and simple Journal. The pieces are hand-picked from Domelsmith’s sources (stashes of costume jewelry and secondhand stores), which means everything’s practically an original. So you can pile them on and know that you’re wearing something special.

At this rate, you’ll be making the grade in no time.

Available online at factorypeople.com.