Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Something Tattered







I have been absent because I am sewing up a proper town dress from previously thrifted fabrics and trims. I am pretty darned excited about it. It is really fun but consuming... I learned how to use two new feet on this machine of mine. Needless to say, my newly embraced housework is slagging a tad. Ooops. I will recover the ground I had made...I remain undaunted by setback.

I also made some new lace necklaces for my next Etsy shop update. Thanks so much Ambika for your kind post a few months ago. It inspired me to get back into it.

All of these are hand sewn together on a dress form to get the weighting, balance and scale just right. The laces are all from small unusable scraps, carefully and nervously snipped. Some of the lace is handmade and I think some bits are machine made but so very high quality, that it is a pleasure to work with them.

I think when I first posted about making these, I wrote about the idea that I had of Mrs. Haversham's house in Great Expectations and imagined they were the sort of thing a girl might make from the abandoned detritus of a romance gone bad
to help ease the boredom of her own isolation.

I still think about that while I make these.

I sew in the beads and chains knotting each bit individually. Each necklace is initially laid out in bits and then built and layered until it lays perfectly and looks finished. They are a delight to make because of the way that they evolve and surprise me.

And it is fun to save some one else's beautiful handwork.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh, those are exquisite.

Sonya said...

They are lovely. I am glad you haven't started making your lace though. I don't know what I would do.

Gwen said...

I love these, they are like a fairy tale! Too bad they would draw unwanted attention to my over-50 neck...

On the other hand, they are so beautiful, maybe no one would notice, LOL!

jefalody said...

Wow... these are so pretty... I wish I had a nice long beautiful neck to put one on... so so lovely...

Anonymous said...

Wow... so beautiful! Just lovely, Bethany. :D

ruby-crowned kinglette said...

beth, those are beautiful and i was just saying today how i didn't like lace and i love those... love them.

Heidi Ann said...

What an absolutely beautiful idea! Old lace and crocheted bits are so lovely - and those necklaces are fabulous. Your talents amaze and inspire me!

Anonymous said...

stunning.

Anonymous said...

Are these perhaps more gorgeous? The first looks as if it's got a little lacy butterfly. Just lovely.

Anonymous said...

Geez, these are gorgeous! I love how delicate they look. You've added just the right amount of beading too - enough to add charm but not overwhelm. Perfection!

Anonymous said...

I love it...i think it is one of the most beautiful things you make!!!! Especially lovely for being re-purposed and full of Great Expectations :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my golly! My jaw nearly hit my desk when I saw these photos! So, so gorgeous and how lovely to reuse bits and pieces!! :) Bravo!!

Mary-Laure said...

These are absolutely exquisite! (Plus, I love 'Great Expectations'...) I am going to email your post around, as I have friends who are sure to be as enthusiastic.
I really wanted to THANK you for the helpful link to the Crafting Japanese website, it was so very sweet of you...
I'll be checking in again soon (and I'm off to explore and bookmark your Etsy store, too.)

Kathi D said...

http://kathi-d.blogspot.com/

Angelina said...

I am in love with that last necklace. I do mean- IN LOVE. Wow. I feel I must have it. But a)it's probably already sold and b)it probably wouldn't fit around my fat neck anyway. Oh it's wonderful though.

Natalie said...

Wow. Your work is absolutely gorgeous and romantic. So very lovely.

Maddie Kertay- The Domestic Anarchist said...

oh wow... I am LOVING these!... frail and yet ageless.. and totaly gives me an idea of what to do with the edging on some very stained linens I have!..

maddie

Anonymous said...

the lace necklaces are gorgeous. I want! (if only I wasn't such a pauper right now! haha
Don't worry about the housework, it's a nightmare trying to keep ontop of it sometimes! x

forcryeye said...

Absolutely georgous!!!! I would love to wear one of these!!! Keep on working!!!

Kelly said...

So beautiful - and I love the Miss Haversham allusion! Normally the "shabby chic" styling is just too much for me, but one of these would be perfect paired with a minimalist shift. Just that touch of romance - love it.

Anonymous said...

I love these! I have been making similar jewelry from vintage trim and lace--except mostly bracelets and cuffs--Really beautiful!

Chase Clark said...

That last one is the prettiest thing I've ever seen! Gawd, you're so talented!

calamitykim said...

oh, I love these! So very romantic and very Haversham! You Rock, o Bitter one!

Sharon said...

Oh these are just so beautiful, really perfect!

Anonymous said...

Stunning work!

Anonymous said...

simply and utterly beautiful.
a pleasure to behold...

Najmuthakib said...

WOW!!! just armazing, really, truly beautiful.

日月神教-向左使 said...
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