Tattered tartan: A necklace upcycled from coat lining

New Year's resolutions? I think its healthier to aim to dream big instead of do big. Less punishing, more potential. One of my dreams is to work out how to do what I love for a living: taking things that are precious[because of memories, age, association, rarity] but broken and making them into items and jewels that are functional and wearable. The hip word for it is upcycling, but that sounds too much like exercise! I already do this with my own bits and bobs, and sell the results in my Etsy shop, but I'd like the challenge of custom designing for others too.  I'd run classes and do a craft session at parties to inspire women to transform their own worn-out treasures, as well as rejuvenating damaged or unwanted stuff on behalf of customers. 

My darling, oh-so-supportive mother spearheads the revolution.....



For years, my mum had a Jaeger coat she loved...sadly it swamped her tiny frame. It was just her colour, being a dark khaki, and her very favourite thing about it was the gorgeous smokey blue/ grey tartan lining. She asked me to make something just for her from this most beautiful of materials, and l spent hours obsessing over the lay-out of the buttons, card and bottletops that l covered with the fabric. I then backed these 'flat beads' with leather reused from jumble sale shoes I cut up.



These fabric covered, jewel encrusted disks l sewed to a rope section from a jumblesale hippy necklace;  its faded green colour perfectly blended with all those seafoam, moss and washed teal tones. All the colours of the Emerald Isle, a fitting compliment to mama's Irish roots and complexion.



Arranging precious antique turquoise cabouchons alongside vintage glass beads felt a touch irreverent. Mixing it up made it zing!



Displayed on an antique screen, the orchids painted by a female ancestor. I think she'd be pleased to know the family crafting tradition continues...

The vintage round iridescent lime green cabouchon in the middle of this shot is known as Dragon's Breath. Its a highly sought after type of glass that really does look like its come straight from The Hobbit.

Moss, agate, viridian, emerald, peridot, turquoise, avocado, teal, mint, forest, sap, chartreuse, duck egg, pistachio, sea foam...there must be getting on for 42 shades of green here. 

Green with envy? We could talk about tailoring something especially for you. I've got some of this fabric left. And you get to help me make my dreams come true! Contact me through Etsy or email ruthclaydonart@yahoo.co.uk