Tout Ensemble #23 - A Mix of Vintage & New

threepeats Jewelry Arsenic & Old Lace Necklace $18

MySoCalledVintage Purple Vintage Bangle Bracelet $14

Rainbow Vintage Mod Kitten (60s) Boots $36

Ruche Don't Stay in When It's Gray Sweater $24 (sale)

Long, light, eco-friendly, affordable and SOFT!

About a year ago, I started seeing scarves made out of t shirt yarn on etsy. I liked the fact that they were made out of recycled cotton t shirts and that they were soft against the skin, especially the skin at the back of the neck! I found some wonderful suppliers of t shirt yarn and started fooling around with using pieces of it to anchor vintage beads in my necklaces. The only thing it limits me from doing is including several heavy beads in any one necklace....but I don't like "heavy" anyway. I have plenty of fun, colorful vintage plastic beads that are very light in weight and I can also include some of my favorite handmade felted wool beads which are light AND soft.

I now have enough of these necklaces listed in my etsy shop to create a special section for them. Please take a look. They make great gifts and are particularly popular with teenagers, college folk and anyone who likes casual, affordable, eclectic jewelry.

T Shirt Yarn Necklaces ~ Unique, Affordable Gifts from Recycled Materials

Check out all my T Shirt Yarn necklaces!

T.G.I.S. ~ Inspiration

Upcycled T-shirt Yarn from bellaflower

I am fond of using materials in my jewelry that are refashioned, recycled, repurposed and renewed. I have been using chain from broken or "unwanted" vintage pieces in my necklaces and earrings but I wanted to try something new. I have been intrigued by etsy sellers who recycle old T-shirts into tote bags, quilts, rugs and scarves and I have found a wonderful Canadian seller of recycled T-shirt yarn, bellaflower. Instead of knitting with it, I am using it as necklace cord. The "yarn" is heavy enough to support my bead arrangements, a bit stretchy, so I can still create necklaces without clasps and it has a modern, edgy look that I think sets off the vintage beads beautifully. Here are the first two necklaces I created...and I just ordered more yarn from bellaflower. The necklaces will be in my shop after Labor Day.