Fancy a Mini Choker?

All in all, I think gemstone mini-chokers are great, so I'm making a few more. These ones are made out of red coral, and silver plated findings - which in one case I also used as beads.

Unfussy and intense, a mini-choker helps turning a sober or sporty outfit into a classy one! It must be a curious case of butterfly effect!

I can spend an afternoon trying all I have in my wardrobe, but eventually, with an excuse or another, I'll always choose a comfortable outfit, sacrificing femininity...

So when I started using these thin chokers I was kind of surprise myself! They actually would make any t-shirt look...a silk blouse!

Surely it won't be the fashion trend of the year, but it worked well for me and I think it will also work well for my customers!

That's all! I hope you'll find the idea of mini-chokers interesting as much as I do! A penny for your thoughts!

Have a nice weekend,

Elettra

Agate Mini Choker

Today I'll be very brief, I've a bad cold and right now I should sleep...but before, I wanted to show you the last mini-choker I made! It' too cute!

I made it out of 4mm red agate beads, although notoriously red agate is dark orange, the color of the autumn - which I see everywhere these days.

The best thing I could find to make it even more "retro" than usual is that round cassette clasp with a red agate fitted cabochon...beautiful, isn't it? The color is the same!

I also think this mini choker is a perfect gift idea! In my imagination I see it as a special present for a young woman. Well, a part from my daydreams, I think it is classy and hipster at the same time!

...Ok, Now it's really time to go! Have a great week end!

Reversible Tote, Easy Sewing Project and Tips.

I've got many, but in my opinion this is "the" shopping bag: eco-friendly, reusable, reversible, machine-washable and, above all, a versatile accessory, fashionable enough to be your walker bag! 

Oh my, I finally know where to put my laptop and sketch book! I've been enslaved to a backpack all my life, but with this tote I can leave it at home, and pick a beautiful purse from my wardrobe to match my outfit. 

I made the first of these bags for myself, and used it until the side rubbing against the hip has become blue with the dye of my denim jeans! No worries: a short trip into the washing machine and it was new again!

As you can see the bag is totally reversible, inside there is a nice printed cotton, outside a coated shintzè (which is polyester) of a gorgous lavender-gray. I don't know why BLOGGER decided to display everything against this ugly gray background lately...

...but the fabric isn't dark at all, it's almost a neutral! What I like the most is that it matches with any cold palette. Then, when you feel more flower-power, or likely to wear warm colors, you just use it inside out!

To Do it Yourself, my advice is to make the two handles before, and put them aside. Then sew the three sides of two almost identical squares, as you were making a pillow-case. Now reverse the one case you want inside, put it into the other, fold both the open sides, and be ready to sew them together in one only hem. Before doing so, hide the four ends of the handles between the folded layers, and pin them. Now sew the hem. What you'll have is the awesome tote above. Eventually, in order to make it more resistant, make a cross (X) seaming right under the handles, and it's done!

There is nothing more simple, but the result is great,  I guarantee it gives you lot of satisfaction!

Autumn/Winter Preview: Wool and Silk Infinity Scarves.

In Florence I bought a couple of yards of wool: gabardine, fresco lana, georgette...I had what the experts call "the perfect shopping experience", as I spent some time with a charming, talkative gentleman who offered me a lot of good advices, a great chat, and, all in all, a very good afternoon!

At that very moment I thought I was going to use those fabrics for making clothes, but - ...guess what? - one yard of crêpe has already gone for a new idea: patchwork infinity scarves! 

Honestly, I had kept the project under the bed for years! So, when I finally got the right wool, I felt compelled to start with it!

Then I must say my silk obi belts have done great this summer, so I decided to give a chance to the infinity scarves for the autumn/winter - which fashion considers one only season. 

You probably recognize the silk of the obi belt, and of the headbands! I used it here to create a element of distinction (or distraction), it is so shiny...then the silk section may be used as a hood (both wool and silk are naturally water repellent, so it may help for a while)!

The buttons are just decorations, and a sign of love for homemade accessories. I would have loved to put giant fuchsia buttons, but I didn't dare. Moreover, they'd cost me a kidney!

The scarf can be fold in two or three, and of course worn wide open....Isn't a unique touch to your handmade wardrobe? Let me know what you think!

Elettra