It all started with a Louis Vuitton necklace. My sister Hope and I coveted the large chunky owl endowed necklace, but knew we could never afford the real thing. Lucky for me my sister can draw like a mutha’, so that is exactly what she did. She drew a version of the infamous Louis Vuitton necklace on a piece of shrink plastic that we transformed into a necklace. Before we did any shrinking however I scanned in the paper so that I had a version to do with as I pleased. Like say for instance make into a fabric necklace for this week’s I Love to Create Column. The necklace in size and texture is very reminiscent of the Casual Friday Necklace from The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girls Guide to Handmade Jewelry. Read on to learn how to make your own fabric Louis Vuitton necklace and for a chance to win a copy of The Naughty Secretary Club so you can learn how to make your own Casual Friday Necklace too.
SUPPLIES
Aleene's Liquid Fusible Web
Tulip Cordless Heat Setting Tool
Tulip Glam-It-Up! Fashion Art Tweezers
Tulip Glam-It-Up! Iron-On Crystals
Sew-In Computer Printer Fabric
Needle
Thread
Craft Felt
Plastic Chain
Computer
Scanner
Art Work
2 jump rings
2 rhinestone beads
HOW TO
First things first you need an amazing piece of art that you want to transform into a necklace, preferably one with a rendition of a marshmallow Peep and a big pair of lips.
I took the image and scanned it into my computer. I tweaked the size in Photoshop to get it to the right size and then printed it out onto computer printer fabric.
Once the fabric was printed on I ironed on some interfacing to make it a little stiffer. From here using Aleene’s Liquid Fusible Web I adhered the necklace to a piece of hot pink animal print craft felt which was to be the backside of the necklace.
Next I wanted to add a little sparkle so using Iron On Crystals, Fashion Art Tweezers and my handy dandy little Cordless Heat Setting Tool (all from Tulip) I gave the little owl some sparkly rhinestone eyes.
To match the eyes I stole 2 rhinestone connector beads from another necklace and using a needle and thread connected them to the two top corners of the necklace.
Using my pliers and 2 silver jump rings I attached a piece of plastic chain to finish the necklace.
Wanna win a copy of The Naughty Secretary Club? All you have to do is leave me a comment letting me know what you think about fabric and jewelry joining forces. Tell me what you have made, tell me what you have seen, tell me your ideas. I love soft jewelry and want to know what about it tickles your fancy. Oh and be sure to check out yesterday's post for more amazing examples of soft jewelry Trendy is as Trendy Does: Fabric Jewelry.
To me clothing and jewelry have always gone together like peanut butter & jelly, so for them to merge into this fabulous art form is like a natural progression. One of my favorite vintage pieces I got from my grandmother is a vintage choker made out of cream colored satin, pearls and rhinestones. The use of fabric really opens up the possibilities in jewelry design and the mixed media effect of juxtaposing cloth with beads or plastic or metal makes it that much more exciting!
ReplyDeleteLove this. One of my favorite things to make is string beads. I am a thrifter to the core so I find embroidery floss by the boatload. I wrap different colors of thread on a thin dowel pull them off and wire wrap them to keep the threads in check. I am even thinking about experimenting and dipping them in resin???
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing better than crazy mixed up jewelry with an eclectic look.
Yummy.
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Madge
I am very interested in the soft jewelery but I haven't come across any yet! This is the first I've really seen of it and I love it! Definitely something I want to try.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I'm originally a fabric artist, so I am always looking for ways to incorporate this passion into all my creative work, which includes jewelry. My latest triumph was rescuing the silk serger leavings from a gown construction and using them to crochet, knot, and manipulate into chains and necklaces. It makes a great base for embellishment!
ReplyDeleteWow, I would not have thought of fabric for jewelry like this. Great idea, opens up so many possibilities. Love the difference in texture that fabric brings.
ReplyDeleteWildwoodflwr - be sure to check out yesterdays post for lots of examples of fabric jewelry.
ReplyDeletei think any medium (or combination thereof) that allows for a peep to be added to a necklace is pretty much a win-win situation.
ReplyDeleteI saw in Cloth Paper Scissors a necklace where they made little pillow like beads and incorporated them into a charm necklace. I love the idea of a softer, lighter material used in jewelry. Your necklace is very funky...I LOVE IT!!!
ReplyDeleteKrissy - A girl named Jennifer Kellog used to make these amazing necklaces out of what appeared to be real Peeps. I don't see them on her site anymore but it looked like she poured resin over them and then strung them up like a necklace. They were pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteI saw you talk about this at Maker Faire...super funky! :)
ReplyDeleteHi there! Love the creativity!! I seem to gravitate toward using ribbon and making fabric cuffs or using belting from the fabric store for cuffs and embellishing with anything and everything :)
ReplyDeleteI have a very cool project that I haven't posted anywhere yet. I took photos of a patchwork quilt that my Grandma made for me back in the 70's. I loved and used it for many years, but now it is falling apart. Not sure what to do and wanting to remember it, I adjusted the photos so each patchwork square printed seperately. Using the printable sticky back fabric sheets from Joann's, I printed out my favorite squares and stuck them onto 1 inch square/flat glass beads from Michael's. Each side of the beads has a different photo. I did add a little modpodge to protect the fabric. Very cool memento!
Hello again! I completely forgot to mention the individuals who have posted zipper jewelry on etsy. There are at least 6 designers that I have seen making fabulous pieces of jewelry out of recycled zippers! One of them from my twitter group is londicreations at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5787674
ReplyDeleteWonderful work!
I using fabric in jewlery is great. I like jewlery that the beads itself are covered in fabric. I haven`t tried that yet, but I have made earrings out of buttons. I love colors and patterned fabric.
ReplyDeleteI meant 'I think' hehe
ReplyDeleteFabric and jewelry is a great combo! I've experimented with making beads from fabric, as well as using small crocheted flowers as earrings.
ReplyDeleteWOW - very cool. I love to work with fabrics - have made many many things but never jewelry...looks like I will have to give it a try :)
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteI receently sent some fabric charms I made for a cloth paper scissors charm swap. I used a scrap of kimono fabric, some metallic yarns ribbon yarns which I fused together using mistyfuse. I then bonded that onto timtek for the stiffness. I then cut into 1" by 1" squares and then zig zagged the edges with verigated threads.
If you care to see the finished product it is here on my blog:
http://cindyiscrafty.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/charms-handmade-not-lucky/
This was my first attempt, but I am sure there will be more attempts.
Also, with the selection of fabrics available lately it is a shame to not use it to fashion jewelry.
I love fabric charms. My friend Traci Bautista makes them. I have used them on charm bracelets and used a piece to make this hairclip.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit my first thought was "eww, fabric jewelry" because I was thinking of little tubes of fabric stuffed & puffy. But I really like this, I love the variety of textures in fabrics & this style opens up a whole world of ideas! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't authorities think of your necklace as a Louis Vuitton imitation? In case that happens, you've open yourselves against infringement just by crafting a handmade necklace.
ReplyDeleteShinn I think our version of the necklace is pretty dang different. Plus think it would only be a prob if we sold the necklace not just made it for our blog like this one :)
ReplyDeleteThis whole information is absolutely interesting.I like the new ideas raised in this blog really impressive, in the line way i like the design and the way it was written. wonderful
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That's so creative. I'm sure that this is even something that my kids could do for their mom for mother's day or her birthday. I love the idea of using fabric for a necklace. Nice work.
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