Sewing Notions As DIY Jewelry

In the last few years, if you've shopped at Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters you will have noticed a trend toward jewelry that looks homemade, crafty, or chaotic (see at left). Not bad homemade but definitely DIY-able. Why? Because most of it is. I applaud these artists for the ideas but I can't pay money for something that I can figure out how it was created and actually have the supplies on hand at home.

Braided cording ending in tassels. On this one, the tassel is added to the cord, but you can actually find something like this, as is, at any JoAnn's Craft stores or go upscale and buy it from a high-end upholstery store. In addition, they come in luscious jewel tones and great color combinations too.

Opened zippers, simply rolled up like roses, stitching the ends, tack them to each other, and attached the chain using jump rings. I would like to see this made from recycled zippers in the garish colors from the 70s that you can still find at thrift shops.

This one I've had in my scrapbook for years, it's from the 80's! It's simply a length of ribbon (poly or silk, your call) run through D-rings. Both supplies available at JoAnn or Hancocks.



This simple knotted design can be recreated with silk cording, (see below) raffia, custom-made piping, or any flexible trimming. Update: Here's a very helpful tutorial for a similar necklace from ...love Maegan.

Luscious colored silk cording, grouped together, and loosely knotted three times. This one is finished with professional jewelry findings but if you like the simple way you just need to tie off the ends.

Images: These are from seasons past and are no longer available.