As a fashion designer I love using a lot of fabric and sewing supplies (mostly leftover from my apparel design projects) in my jewelry. Regulars at this blog would know how much button jewelry and zipper accessories I have done over the years; so when Melissa Trudinger of Bead Recipes gave a call for a haberdashery blog up I was very excited to sign up.Â
But then life interfered with its own set of plans, I had an interview for which I redid my portfolio, attended the lampworking workshop, created pieces for a shoot and was travelling for a week while trying to launch my new collection so I didnt have any time to create the masterpieces I had in mind.Â
So here are a couple of quick fix things that I made for the hop. By the way if you are wondering Haberdashery means items sold in a haberdasher’s store like buttons, zippers – basically a sewing supplies store. I have never heard it before this hop and was glad to learn about it.
But then life interfered with its own set of plans, I had an interview for which I redid my portfolio, attended the lampworking workshop, created pieces for a shoot and was travelling for a week while trying to launch my new collection so I didnt have any time to create the masterpieces I had in mind.Â
So here are a couple of quick fix things that I made for the hop. By the way if you are wondering Haberdashery means items sold in a haberdasher’s store like buttons, zippers – basically a sewing supplies store. I have never heard it before this hop and was glad to learn about it.
 The first is a cuff bracelet inspired by vintage romance. I have never done a vintage looking piece before so it was quite new to me. The upper transparent wired ribbon has been lined by a beige satin ribbon and folded simply in the ends to finish the bracelet with a simple clasp. The wire in the ribbon helps retain not just the shape, but also the excess ribbon. It sounds like a genius idea now but I thought of it simply as I did not have end clamp of that size – Yes! Necessity indeed is the mother of invention. The focal is a plastic shank button I have been hoarding for the past 10 -15 years and it has some lovely golden flecks on it. I wire wrapped it to the ribbons to set it and embellished it with a looped pearl chain to hide the wire.
After making it, I felt that it was very simple and not fit for a hop, but I really didnt have the time to sew anything fabulous together. So as I was putting this cuff away with a heavy heart, my eyes fell on these fabric beads I created for another project but never completely used them. So I decided to turn this UFO into a wearable beauty – A cluster bead fabric bracelet.
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There are 4 types of fabrics used here – Brown and ochre -Artificial Tussar, Mustard – Jute silk, Light pink – tissue and neon pink – Chenille Georgette. Did you notice how shiny some of the beads are ? That is because I made them with pearls inside instead of the regular plastic beads used in making fabric beads. I stitched up the individual beds with sewing thread and attached a simple clasp with jump rings as I personally dont prefer complicated clasps. I finally added a MOP button as a charm just for fun. The result bracelet is fun, chunky and extremely light.
I dont normally make bracelets and the very few I make are very experimental so I either keep or gift them – I guess I will keep this one.
That’s it for now guys, Hopefully tomorrow being sunday I would find some time to hop and visit all the wonderful bead bloggers and see their beautiful Haberdashery based creations. Do join me in my journey
I hope you Find it interesting
Cheers
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