Sunday, August 16, 2009

Recycling Vintage Handkerchiefs


I have been de-cluttering my sewing space so I have more room for creating. When I came across a dozen vintage handkerchiefs I had cut in half for a quilt top years ago, I just could not toss them out! I doubted my local charity would take them -- they would probably throw them away. I did not think it likely I could sell them. So. . .they sat on my desk for a few days. The more I looked at them, the more they spoke to me.

The day I took a trip to my local bead shop (Ka-Gina's Beads in Arvada, CO), inspiration struck. I found some great Pandora-style glass beads that reminded me of the hankies! After a trip home to get the handkerchief halves for matching, I was busy creating. In fact, I haven't been able to stop! They are so much fun to make. Each one includes vintage lace, loops of beads, little puff beads I have made to tie in the colors and even some vintage buttons!

The real fun came on the day I wore my first one to work. One of my co-workers (a young 25-yr-old) told me she thought they were every bit as great as the ones she had seen at Anthropologie! "But yours are unique and one-of-a-kind!" was the final compliment to seal me on giving them a shot in my store on Etsy. My daughter-in-law came to model them, so I just posted the first two up for sale today. The one you see here is one of my favorites I'll be posting up a little later in the week.

So, what do you think?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I Judi!
How gorgeous is your necklace!
I really have enjoyed so much watching your outstanding work.
You are a gifted Lady.
Thank you so much to offer to us so much Beauty!
Have a Blessed Day¨
With my kindest regards from Heidi's Land.
Elizabeth

gloria said...

Oh Judi, the necklace is so romantic and stylish. I love it.

Judy Nolan said...

I love what you've done with a vintage hanky. I have some from my mom and treasure them because she crocheted the edges (and she passed away some years back). I'm thinking I should do something with them for the female relatives so a little piece of my mom can live on. Your necklace is beautiful!

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