reuse

Denim jacket decorated with vintage scarfs and old buttons

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

 

This oversized denim jacket I got from a friend to be used as material for my designed denim bags. Instead I felt like doing something extra bold with it; I decided to sew small pieces of vintage scarfs to make the jacket “float” and “puffy”.

I used vintage scarfs that were a little bit damaged beyond repairing  and cut same sized rectangular pieces which I then sew on the jacket. Sleeves I had to take apart otherwise I could not been able to fasten the scarfs.

By separating the colors and sewing matching ones side by side the surface is more interesting and lively. And the number of vintage scarf pieces I used to this jacket… 583 pieces.

 

Buttons I attached by hand and each one is carefully placed so the colors again flows easily and makes interesting surface.

 

 

 

Susanoo denim quilt bag from two old jeans

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

My friend asked me if I could sew denim bag to her out of her old jeans which were low cut and tight, not in fashion any more ;) Project sounded fun so I agreed and she sent me her jeans. Both jeans were the same color; same tone of dye so my first idea to sew a bag with different sizes and colors of denim stripes was not going to work because of the “flat” color hues on the denim. So I looked up from my special japanese quilting technique books and found this pattern which builds up almost in 3d when put together. Quilting it is!

I carefully planned out this bag and measured the right amount of parts also thinking about the dark and light parts of the denim trousers so I could make the most of the pattern. It took some time sewing the parts together and ironing every seam but the end result was worth it.

She also wished for a pocket inside and outside and that the handles were so long that she can carry the bag easily on her shoulder.

Jeans old leather back labels I used upside down on the front of the bag. This cause I do not want anyone to be able to easily read what it says on the labels (small artsy point) but there are there visible to all to remind that reusing and refashioning is the only way to save this planet from textile waste.

The “back” of the bag or reverse side I made out of different sized denim parts, those which were left over from after my first cut. She wished a pocket on the outside so this one is hidden near your body when the “front” of the bag is visible while carrying it on the shoulder.

Patchwork denim jacket from reused denim

/ Susanoo

This refashioned denim jacket began of the idea to use old, worn jeans, one thrifted denim skirt and one old Ikea bed linen. This jacket I sew in Delft, Netherland. There are feelings and thoughts sewn into this piece that can not be seen: early morning runs in Delft and the constant buzz of people coming and going in the city center.

All materials, including zippers and other small parts are reused and the total cost for the materials was about 20€. Sewing hours were several, made the jacket with no rush during early mornings and weekends, with a lot of coffee :)

Vintage fashion magazine dated 1991 I found a raglan sleeve jacket pattern that I used as a base.

From the old jeans I removed the back pockets and ripped open the hems on the bottom of the legs so I could reveal some lovely fades and washes.

The whole idea was to use miss-matched pieces and let the outcome and the colors to feel relaxed and easy. I did not plan to line the jacket but it is more wearable and easier to maintain when it has a lining.

I am pleased of the whole outcome of this jacket and the best of all it is one of a kind!

The photoshoot took place in Dusseldorf, in front of a cool graffiti wall. Peace!

Susanna in her diy denim quilt jacket and diy leather bag
Susanna in her diy denim quilt jacket

handpainted red and orange leather earrings

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

I often paint and glue my leather parts for the earrings in advance. When I feel like it. Then I use the painted leather when my ongoing design needs it- it can take for a year or a week or just hours. Depends on the flow.

These leather parts I made one summer evening but something more important came along and I put the designs aside. Now when cleaning up my desk and the drawers I found these red and orange leather designs I knew that it was their time to shine.

The metal chain is from old bracelet that I found from charity shop and took apart. I love the way the thin chain moves, reminds me of misty mornings and spider webs in the forest.

The fabric is old IKEA curtain.

red leather earrings with reused jewelry parts

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment
Red hot chili and tangerine with a bling from silver coloured bean(s).

This earring started about three years ago, something went sideways and I put it away in a box for a while. I do this when I loose interest in continuing my work at hand if something goes “wrong”. Then I can find the same project after a while (years) and start over and finish it. Like polishing an old artifact.

I buy my jewellery material from second hand or charity shops. Found this two toned red plastic necklace and liked the shape of the pearls.

It was easy to attach the plastic beads to the leather with small hooks that I made from metal wire.

How the earrings hang when put on is important, are they moving freely or should the earring just be seen from the other side? These earrings I made two-sided and movement is needed so that light can bounce on the silver coloured and red beads.

Intercoiffure photoshoot “white nights” with Susanoo refashioned clothes and acc.

/ Susanoo

Intercoiffure Finland spring&summer 2015. Style White nights, hair Katja Perkkiö (Tina´s), photoshoot Luiza Lehtinen, make-up Ara Koivula (Bang by Ara).

Styling and close up craft photos Susanna Kaunisto.

Dress is made out of an old 80´s white leather jacket. Front of the dress is actually the back of the jacket leaving the back of the dress open and making it sensual and feminine.

Neckpiece is made out of the same jacket crocheting narrow slices of leather together. Adding a massive silver colored chain into the necklace makes it an outstanding piece and a perfect pair to the simple dress.

diy crocheted white leather and silver colored chain neckpiece

Mekko on tehty vanhasta 80-luvun nahkatakista. Takin etuosa on nyt mekon takaosa, jättäen selän avoimeksi vyötärölle asti. Helmaan ompelin somisteeksi ns. “kalanpyrstön”. Kaulakorun materiaali on samaa nahkatakkia josta leikkasin suikaleita ja virkkasin ne yhteen. Tyyli on modernin puhdas mutta samalla rosoisen romanttinen.

diy leather dress out of old jacket with matching neckpiece

diy leather dress out of old jacket with matching neckpiece

Intercoiffure photoshoot “northern lights” with Susanoo refashioned clothes and acc.

/ Susanoo

Intercoiffure Finland photoshoot, styling Susanoo diy clothes and accessories

fashion drawing for Intercoiffure Finland photoshoot by Susanoo

Intercoiffure Finland spring&summer 2015. Style Northern Lights, hair Marko Sutinen (HS-Salonki), photo Luiza Lehtinen, make-up Ara Koivula (Bang by Ara).

Styling Susanna Kaunisto, Susanoo. Style is called northern lights, futuristic up-all-night-long party style inspired by northern summer light.

I searched my inspo to this style from space, fencing and futuristic styles.

Neck piece is made out of old white 80s leather pants and one vintage H&M jersey trousers. I searched this neckpiece shape and form by first trying it out from paper on mannequin. When I finished the pattern I cut it out from leather and sew together with the shoulder “pads”. Reflecting small pieces on the neckpiece are sticky cover plastic sold in hobby stores.

Shoes are second hand; handled with a coat of black paint and added extra bling with a pair of earrings.

Wristlets are made from plastic and I have one post in my blog that tells more about them.

Vaatteiden materiaalit ovat kaikki kierrätettyjä, kauluriyläosa on tehty housuista, toppi hameesta ja hame paidasta. Kengät ovat second hand ja koriste kengissä pari strassikorvakoruja. Käsikorusta kerroin jo aiemmassa postauksessani. Kauluri on tehty nahasta ja kaavoitin sen tyköistuvaksi mallinuken päällä, rypytetty hihaosuus on ommeltu kiinni kauluriin. Maalasin myös kauluria hopeamaalilla jotta pinta heijastaisi valoa peilipinnan tavoin. Hologrammipalat ovat samaa materiaalia kuin käsikoruissakin. Tämän kuvauksen tyyliin hain inspiraatiota mm. avaruus ja urheiluaiheista.

photoshoot Intercoiffure Finland style Northern Lights, styling and acc. Susanoo

Bag made from round table coasters

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

Straw bag is the perfect outfit addition that just says “now it is summer, let´s go to the beach, summer markets and on holiday”

My bag is made out of two round table coasters from H&M home.

Bag is hand sewn together with thick cotton yarn, the seam was too thick to sew with sewing machine.

I made the shoulder strap out of an old suede belt and attached it with an o-ring to the sides of the bag. Round decorations and the fringe around the bag are made out of leather.  Lining is an old tablecloth with traditional pattern.

 

black leather earrings and safety pins- for good luck and protection

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

My mission was to make earrings from a piece of black leather, decorative black ribbons and black safety pins that I got as a gift from my friends. The shape just happened without planning. Now when it is ready I have been searching from different sources the symbol which the earring represents. First I searched for wheel (no hit) then for moon/sun (no hit) BUT I looked at the earring more closely and I am sure it is a horseshoe. For good luck and protection. And safety pins to firmly hold things together.

candy-like orange ruffled leather earrings

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

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.

Belt buckle shoe decoration

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

Tired with your basic black leather ballerinas? Here is an easy solution for all of you DIY interested. I had a lot of wood belt buckles, just plain wood color. By painting the buckles with different motifs, here animal fur inspired, I got a pile of unique decorative buckles that I can now use as an interesting detail in my DIY works. Here I attached the buckles into basic leather ballerinas by first piercing the leather in the front of the shoe where I wanted the buckles to sit. I made leather fringes to make the buckles stand out.

 

 

Earrings using triangle shaped leather/plastic

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

I have started to use this way of working with small leather scraps and other materials. First I cut out the shapes I want and glue them on to a piece of leather- let the pieces dry over night- after that I add a quite thick coat of decoupage lack on the surface- after the lack is completely dry I cut out the shape I want. Here I used old leather scraps and one old plastic snake pattern belt. Metal parts are from old bracelet.

These earrings I cut out as half moon shape and added o-rings from an old bracelet to give them more body and movement.

Susanoo design tassel earrings from second hand materials

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

These two pairs of tassel earrings I made out of quality yarns that I always buy second hand from charity/flea markets. Here I combined other elements with the tassel earrings such as old jewelry parts and fake leather from one old belt.

I love old clip earrings and some of my handmade earrings I design in a way that it is easy to slide it into the clip earring.  In this way you can change the look of the pair of earrings easily.

 

The red tassel earrings metal part is from old metal bracelet which I formed into a circle to fit a red bead in.

 

starched denim and hand painted leather

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

Handpainted leather earrings and starched denim earrings.

Denim starched with sugar and hot water gives endless possibilities to form whatever you can imagine after the fabric is soaked with the mix. Even 3D is possible if you have patience to form it first and then wait for 2 or 3 days until the piece is totally dry.

When the starched denim piece is dry you can  for example paint, punch or glue the pieces how ever you want. Easy and fun.

multicolored small leather bag

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

Small bag made out of different colored leather.

I had a stash of small leather left over pieces in different colors and textures which one day started to grow into a canvas by joining  the parts together and this “canvas” suddenly into a bag. Shoulder strap is an old belt fastened to the bag with reused jacket parts. Tassel is my own design, giving the bag unique finishing with a wooden animal as the “spirit” of the bag.

striped leather belt bag

/ Susanoo / Leave a comment

Bum bag, fanny pack, belt bag…here is my version. I wanted the surface to have striped effect and joined leather pieces with zig zag to achieve more handmade effect. Pattern is my own, I used an old belt bag as a base. Zipper is reused from an old jacket and the belt is old canvas belt which I decorated with matching flat decorative ribbon. Tassel is handmade from the same leather as the bag.