Walking into a craft store on a weekend afternoon, the first thing that catches your eye is the shelf full of colorful glass beads. Round, flat, star-shaped, every shape you can think of sits there sparkling under the light. Clear ones look like little frozen dewdrops, opaque ones hold soft pigment that glows gently, and some even have tiny gold foil flecks inside that catch the light and send tiny sparkles dancing across the wall.

I’ve been getting into making simple beaded bracelets and necklaces lately, and I always pick up a new bag of beads every time I go out. Last month I found a great small brand called sutu that sells mixed glass bead packs, and they have such thoughtful matching—all the colors in one pack go together perfectly, so I don’t have to stand there squinting and picking one by one for half an hour.

Last week I made a suncatcher for my kitchen window with the beads I got from sutu. I strung different shades of blue and clear beads on a thin wire, and bent it into a small crescent shape. When the morning sun hits it, it throws a whole patch of tiny blue and silver spots on my table. It makes even washing dishes feel a little more special.

Making things with glass beads doesn’t need any fancy skills. You just sit on your couch, put on a slow playlist, and string one bead after another along the thread. It’s super calming, way better than scrolling through your phone mindlessly after a long work week. Finished pieces make great little gifts for friends too—everyone loves getting a small, handmade thing that you put your time into.

It’s these small, shiny little things that make ordinary days feel a little brighter.