candy-like orange ruffled leather earrings

These earrings started first with bending and shaping black metal cord. Orange suede parts are punched first so it is easy to slide them into the metal cord. Easy and quick technique that is quite often used when leather needs to look ruffled. First it seemed that the shape does not need other decorations but I wanted the outcome to be more playful and  childish. So I added wood beads that I painted with orange paint. Earrings looks now chunky modern and playful with a clear handmade stamp on them. Like candy or bubble gum.

studs and squares

diy leather bag picture taken in Centre Pompidou Paris Susanna with her diy leather bag in Centre Pompidou Paris

Idea of this leather bag began when I found a pair of leather trousers second hand. I often buy worn and outdated but good quality leather clothes second hand…of course if the price is ok, under 10€ is still a bargain of a good leather.

In this case I cut out the front and the back pieces for the bag from the leg part of the trousers because leather on the legs were in good condition and I did not have to do any extra seams. I tryed out different motifs on the bag but finally I ended up playing with the swiss cross and by adding black leather squares the pattern looked deeper. Studs are there to “rock” the bag but the style is still versatile to combine with different looks and outfits: preppy, rebel, chic etc.

Because I wanted the bag to have “one piece look” so adding in handles was out of the question. Instead I cut out holes to the top part, folded the seam allowances from the cut out to the back and glued them with a flexible glue. Lining is done out of leather and denim, I repeated the same cut out hole and then I just glued the front and the back together. So more glue than seams on this leather project. Glue I used was BISON transparent, it was really easy to work with and now after carrying various loads in my bag for a week around Paris I can say that the glue hold the leather together super good.

Photoshoot is done in Musée des Arts et Métiers and Centre Pompidou in Paris. Thank you Paris!

black / white / studs /// repeat

I am so into stripes at the moment. Black and white can not ever go wrong, timeless color combination and easy to mix and match with a variety of other colors and styles. Material for this bag is cut from second hand leather jacket and trousers…the white jacket is already several years old. Stripes are 3mm wide and I joined the pieces together by zig zag stitch.

Lining for the bag is denim that also supports bags structure. Shoulder strap is taken from another bag and the studs and other metal pieces are also recycled from old bags. Pattern and placement of the studs are irregular…it needs to feel like the deco just “rain” on the bag.

diy bag with stripes and studs, all parts recycled

diy bag with stripes and studs, all parts recycled

“cactus” by Marimekko

Marimekko fabric "Cactus" jacket and bag

This beatiful fabric “Kaktus” is designed by Erja Hirvi for Marimekko. When I bought the fabric over five years ago I had it hung as curtains and now after a long search for a cool fabric for a long jacket I found it from my pile of old curtains that I had statched away.

To the shawl collar I left raw edges and also some of the seams in the jacket are inside out and left on purpose unfinished so that the fabric looks like it is worn and old. Frontpiece of the jacket is right way out but both sleeves and the back part is showing the garment inside out, which in this case makes an interesting look for the whole jacket. Lining is only put in for the front and back, to make the jacket heavier and more comfortable to wear.

I made a matching bag out of the leftover pieces; a bag to have on with the jacket. In the bag I left the name of the company and designer to be seen when I carry the bag, it makes the bag unique and shows in cool way the designers name.

Marimekko fabric "Cactus" jacket- raw edges and fabric turned inside out

dare to be SNOBBIG

avant

This clutch is actually a placemat called SNOBBIG from IKEA. Structure was quite stiff so it was easy to handle.  First I sewed the lining and decorative ruffles and the belt while the placemat was still flat then I joined the sides together.  For the lining I used one old t-shirt from which the ruffles are also done. Studs are actually plastic ones and each of them hand sewn.The lock is an old belt.

Shirts are my older DIY designs, necklace a showpiece for a photoshoot. Ankle boots and hats all vintage and second hand findings.

Susanoo diy and collected vintage items show case

•a keen eye•

diy leather bag made out of old leather jacket, decorations white leather inspired by abstract art.

This bag is made out of an old leather jacket and because I am working with an existing garment I have to constantly adapt my design to work with the details of that particular garment.

Decoration was inspired partly by abstract art and partly by the interesting eye icon that has been popping up in the fashion shows quite a lot. See mind blowing Viktor&Rolf spring 2016 couture pic.

I sew the original care label from the jacket to the front of the bag, completing the story of repurpose and zero waste.

 

 

botanic plate

diy stamped old plate with real leaves

Nature-inspired patterns on an old plate, by stamping with real leaves. The plate is an old metal plate that has a beautiful patina and can not be used any more for serving food but as an interesting eyecather in various installations it would still be an unique piece. I collected some leaves that had nice forms and and used them as stamps. It is easier to stamp with a leaf that has an even surface so the stamped image will look sharper and all fine details will also transfer properly…althought in this case there were some paint splatters but still the outcome feels old, just like the plate.

 

 

cobalt combo

diy bracelet with leather cord and second hand jewellery diy bracelet with leather cord and second hand jewellery

More small craft projects from denim. A pendant and a bracelet…both are easy to pair with any clothing and colors. The good thing is, these bracelets stands alone well, or can serve as a foundation to any arm bracelet setup you feel up to.

Black cord bracelet has a collection of old, various glass and metal beads. The clever, small magnetic closure for the bracelets is more neater than just using the clasp…and much more easier to put on your wrist.

Denim jacket is an old project, soaked in bleach from its arms and hem so that the outcome of the bleached parts is uneven and dramatic.

 

 

 

dotty

diy white leather tassel with dots and old button

More tassels now with dots. I found some paint from a leftover black leather color bottle and started to try out different patterns and stamping on leatherpieces. Not having anything particular designs in my mind I just had FUN! Dotted some pieces of leather and turned them into tassels. Using only glue I put the tassels together and finalized the top with matching button! Photoshoot is done with planet magnets from MUJI attached to a radiator.

denim refashioning projects

“Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The lord of the Rings

This was just another of my denim clothes refashioning projects. Crafting with old denim clothes is thrifty and you will have a unique garment; here I sew together a pair of jeans and an old denim dress which was outdated in style and shape. The jeans are added to the dress horizontally from the waist and they make a nice fishtail shape to the front. Stars are added for that final, signature touch.
Out of the remaining denim pieces of the dress, I made a clutch with quilting technique, adding a metal handle and a lobster clasp for funky detail. I love to work with denim, you can simply take some of the scraps from your stash and get creative!

 

rings and squares

Dyed duvet cover with indigo blue washing machine color. To make an abstract ring pattern, I  bunched up a small wad of fabric and placed a plastic ball inside and a rubber band around. The areas covered by the rubber bands created small, abstract rings of white.

Read more about the techniques called shibori dyeing.

Denim bed spread…there’s about 3 whole pairs of jeans in this one, and all sorts of odds and ends. This model was super easy to put together, no demanding quilt patterns just sewing big squares together. Done-in-a-Day!

black suede rings

Camo bag decorated with black suede rings from a second hand belt. I made a little bit longer straps so it is easy to carry on the shoulder even when you have a bigger jacket.

Tämän camo- kassin koristelin mustilla pyöreillä mokkakangaspaloilla jotka olen purkanut vanhasta kirpparivyöstä. Olkahihnat mitoitin pituudeltaan niin että kassia on helppo kantaa olalla vaikka olisi päällä paksumpikin vaatekerros.

mimic

Black leather with different techniques. One with fringes and the other one is odd shaped piece which I gathered together from one side and fastened it to the leather cord. Used alone it makes a statement to your outfit and even looks more dared with added jewellery on top of it.

Mustaa nahkaa eri tavoin työstettynä. Halusin tehdä ison kaulasomisteen nahasta ja liittää yhteen eri tekniikoita. Laskostettu nahkapala on kiristetty langalla yhteen, en siistinyt palan alareunaa jotta nahan luonnollinen kauneus ei häviäisi. Toisen somisteen hapsutin ja rullasin pieniä nahka”kukkia” koristeeksi. Kaulanauhaksi letitin nahkaa ja kiinnitin kaikki yhteen niskasta painonapilla. Kaulasomiste on käytössä hieno sellaisenaan tai vaikka yhdistettynä toisen korun kanssa. Sisustuselementtinäkin koru toimii ja “telineestä” sen voi helposti ottaa käyttöön ja säilyttää myös näyttävästi.

leather and doll

doll with leather cord