Down to the bare threads...

Bangles wrapped with sari silk and embroidery yarn and sewing thread (oh, and wire!)

There is something elementary beautiful in fabrics and the underlying threads they are made of. They way the form a pattern, how the can be soft and smooth and still hold their shape, and in the end, how gorgeous they look even broken down with all the threads coming lose.

Is it a wonder that so often small pieces of yarn, threads or fabric are used in jewelry?

Gorgeous bright blue silk from thailand wrapped with embroidery thread and (purple!) wire.

Just as a disclaimer or warning: If you have any hoarding collecting tendencies, this may not be the right blog post for you. You may end up really saving every tiny leftover that would normally have ended in the trash resulting in an accumulation of anything fabric related amass! This warning is way too late for me but maybe not for you! ;)

You see, a lot of smaller pieces of embroidery thread are stuffed down at the bottom of the little plastic bag! 

Since this is my second contribution at AJE (my first was my introduction), I was thinking really a long time about what to show you or what to write about. So I thought to show you a little bit more about my creation process and what kind of elements I love to incorporate into my work. This is quite simple so maybe not a real tutorial but I do hope I may inspire you!

In the end it is with jewelry like with all things in life: The small details can make all the difference. So I'll show you how I use some leftover yarn, sewing thread, pieces of silk and cotton fabric... and whatever else I may find!

These are not finished yet, just embroidery yarn wrapped on or two times around. The knotted ends are still not cut.

Fabric and yarn/thread is a great way to upcycle old jewelry. Even better, even thought you can completely change the look, it actually won't permanently damage the piece itself so it is always possible to change it back by just cutting off the added "stuff".

So for my first example(s) I use simple thin metall bangles. The kind you really can get everywhere and that would also look lovely mixed into a batch of wrapped bangles. The trick to start is quite simple: Fold the yarn or fabric and start wrapping over the folded part.

You could also just make a knot at the beginning.

It needs some time to get used to always hold with one hand all the time not only the bangle / bracelet itself, but also the next round of wrapped material. Go tight but not with too much force. Just that it will look quite neat.

To wrap over the ends of the yarn is the best way to secure it.

If you want to add another colour just start wrapping a piece of new yarn or fabric with the end of the old one (never use it completely!). This will hold the starting point in place and both sides are nicely secured.

During my first wrapped pieces I was hoping for a third hand... ;)

Don't worry about a little bit of "overhang". That you can always cut. Also normally the wrapping alone should be enough to hold everything in place. Still, you can also always add some glue to the ends.

Again, wrapping over the ends at the beginning or end is the best way to secure the yarn!

The trickiest part is the end...

Embroidery yarn is normally made from six to eight single threads that can be easily divided.

Since I also always add some more charms, wire, and whatever else I may find, I don't need and want a smooth finish. Embroidery yarn I simple divide and knot it around the bangle. The end of a fabric piece I just cut in half and make a knot around the bangle with both ends too. With sewing thread I always have some small piece hanging out from the start: Just knot it too.

I just can't get enough of these kind of wrapped bangles. Whenever some bangles are at a sale, I get them!

And some more examples how I finish off the ends: Simply knots that are cut quite close to the bangle (lower one), some that are secured and hidden a little bit with wire wrapped around on top (upper one) or I embraced the ends and actually braided all of them together (middle one). By the way, the purple one is made with silk and the other two with cotton fabric as basic layer.

I have (had actually) a lot of vintage indian beads. They are pressed glass beads that are quite often irregular and I love how they add to the charm of these bangles. 

This also works perfectly for all the cheap loop earrings one can get. This come with the bonus that this is the perfect earring to add a lot of dangles for a colorful bohemian and hippy style! One little trick: If I wrap earrings with fabric I am always starting at the side with the earstud and pierce with this through the fabric. That gives a nice starting point.

Again, like with the bangle, I just wrap the fabric around the hoop while holding the already wrapped fabric tight with my finger. 

Disclaimer: I worked with clay before I started taking images.... ehm... you may already have guessed!

At the end I just cut the fabric in half and use both end to knot around the earring. 

The lose ends and threads can be easily cut. If you are worried about anything coming lose, just secure it with a little bit of glue or maybe tightly wrapped wire. But normally it should just hold fine as it is!

As you may already have seen from all the examples, I love to wrap some more colours on top (it also add some more hold for the fabric and yarn). On fabric I love to use embroidery thread. This time I knot it at the back of the hoop...

...and simply wrap it around to the front and back again. The ends I also just secure by knotting them.

Can you see how I hold the yarn between my fingers? Always use the full potential of your hand ;)

Here is the finished earring. In case you wonder why I showed you some images in black in white... duh... I made the piece and took images in between. They looked fine on the small camera screen and I totally ignored what a beautiful sheen good silk has (yes, this is high quality silk from thailand). Sheen... light... camera... The bright blue and shiny colour overwhelmed my poor little camera and made absurd contrasts. Still... I already had wrapped the earrings and I also didn't want to unwrap them! No way!

But actually I have to admit that I like the black and white images (more than I thought I would) and may use them further in the future (but that time with purpose!).

The colours are still a little bit off... *sighs* But I wanted to show you at least one image of the lovely colour combination.

Here is another example of some of my favorite wrapped earrings (that I love like they are so much that the ends are still visible) made with some of my favorite african batique printed fabric. You can also see where I cut the ends and knotted them. 

The pattern of the fabric is lost but it creates different areas of colour wrappend around the wire.

And for the end... some more examples! 

Bangles in all colours...

All of them are done with embroidery thread as basic, sometimes sewing thread is used as accent as well as embroidery thread again.

And more close up impressions :)

Some really, really big earrings with some charms and beads dangling...

Or just really simple with changing colours...

The ends at the back of the earrings are a little thicker since I really made sure to secure the knotted ends!

I love this way to easily add color to a piece but furthermore, I really, really love that I am able to use every little scratch of fabric or yarn! I don't like to throw away even the tiniest piece of beloved fabric. But hey... it also has to be used somehow! ;)

Until next time! :)

Freeform Friday: Cigar box displays

There are as many different ways to display jewelry as there are variations of jewelry itself. From hand made to professional, from rustic to sleek... Pinterest boards exist solely to categorize and save brilliant ideas. I wanted to share with you something that I do, it works for me, and my style... 

First, a few comments on style. (stepping up on soap box...) You are doing a show. Look over the inventory you have amassed. You have a personal style, and its showing. Is it sleek lines, and glossy finished, and a modern aesthetic? Is it detailed, highly decorative, lots going on? Is it earthy, rustic, organic? I think its important that you display "fit" your style. By its very nature it needs to present your work in the best light, safely, and with style, yet without distraction. Display is the supporting actor role, not the star, but the two have to relate well in camera. 

I like to use plain wood, and solid colors in my display. Muted, earthy tones, very "woodland". I also have space constraints. Sometimes I see complex fancy displays and  wonder if  the artist has a trailer, or a van. (Confession: I have an irrational dislike of mini vans.) I have a small car/SUV and I have to pack tent, tables, chairs, ceramic tiles, display, office, packaging, clothes... you see my dilemma. So no mannequins, no drapes and chandeliers, ( Yup, I've seen it). I need compact, sturdy, versatile, easy to pack pieces. 

Enter the cigar box: 

Here is a brief photo essay of what I did for mine. I have used cigar boxes for a few years, setting them open with pin-able space in the lid. I decided to turn them sideways and make a freestanding display piece with pin-able areas on both sides. 

Two wooden cigar boxes and one raw pine folding tray thing from the craft store.  Wooden cigar boxes are available at a Tobacconist's or some liquor stores for a few dollars. 

Oops. Blurry. (Reread Jen's post regarding iPhone pix.)

On left: the original flange inside. On right: Flange removed. It pulls out. 

Measure twice. Cut once. This is 1/4" foam core. Use a very sharp blade  to cut  a clean line. 

Make sure they fit! For these standing displays, I measured pieces for top and bottom- that will become L and R. 

I use ultra suede fabric in jewel tones as that works for me and my style. Fabric is cut with ample margins, maybe 1.5-2". Glueing corners first, I use an archival PVA glue as thats what I have for other work. After corners are glued, I glue the sides like I was wrapping a present. And I use tape to hold it all down while glue dries. Shh, don't tell. 

Weight pieces down while drying. Interesting trivia: those rocks are from the  beach in Newlyn, Cornwall, UK from my honeymoon. Yes, I have carried them around for 17+ years.  Hang on - you will see the finished one at the end... 

Who's gonna see the inside? 

For the smaller hinged frame of raw pine - cost $1 at the craft store... I mixed up a wood tone of acrylic paint. (Yellow ochre and burnt umber) Brushed on a watered down layer, watching for drips. It dries intently as the wood is thirsty. I don't seal or varnish these. I could, but I am usually too impatient.  

Now lets see these boxes in action: 

This box was the first of its kind. It has division I created to keep my ceramic pendants separated.  I like displaying  one of each style up top, and other color options of the designs in the bottom. The fabric at bottom is draped in and adhered with double sided tape. I can leave these in the box, close it and be done! 

The foam core is a pin able surface, if you pin at an angle. The fabric is forgiving and hides marks. 

I tend to do a mock-up of my display as I prepare for a show.These boxes are very versatile and easily reconfigured as space allows. There! On the right - the deep red fabric. That the new standing cigar box. I will display necklaces there.

Here is a booth picture from last fall, where you can get a sense of the wood tones and colors I use, as well as the boxes in use. As I write this its raining like crazy! I have a show this weekend, outdoors... and the location is currently very, very wet. I will try to post some pictures on the AJE Facebook page of my real display once we are dry, set up, and happy on Friday. So please stay tuned! 

I would love to hear what you think! Have a weekend filled with sunshine! 

Jenny 

www.jdaviesreazor.com