Like wearing an albatross medallion on a pleasure cruise, an ill-chosen piece of jewelry can lead to years of regret and the undying rancor of peers. Accessorize with care with today’s Groupon: for $35, you get a one-hour jewelry-design workshop at Team Blonde in Forest Park (a $75 value). Designed specifically for Groupon customers, workshops meet on Mondays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Saturdays at 3:30 p.m.

Team Blonde's artisanal jewelry and eco-friendly spa have earned it the accolades of media outlets from the Chicago Tribune to Chicago magazine. Aspiring bling-crafters dive into a hodge-podge of luminous beads, semiprecious stones, and silver cheerios to design a custom-fitting bracelet or three pairs of earrings. As a jeweler fits the gem caddies with the necessary clasps and wires, erstwhile designers can chat amicably in the homey brick-fronted boutique and studio.