neckpieces with tassels and beads

 

Second hand stores are a great place to find material for cheap and personal diys. I have been collecting and buying embroidery thread now for a while in every color. Tassels are easy to do from these threads and Pinterest is filled with great instructions.

Then it is just up to your own taste how to combine colors and shapes…I usually go with the flow.

 

Taking photos of my designs outside in the nature with my Canon Digital camera is one of my dear hobbies. These pics from my green and turquoise neckpiece are from the beach.

high-waisted culottes

Striped denim fabric I found from Netherlands Delft from a second hand store. There is total 5 meters of this fabric so I have plenty over for something cool in the future.

I wanted to try out a pair of high-waisted culottes. I cropped the waist so that it fits tightly and added a zipper in the side. I also made a belt from the fabric to give the trousers finished and chic-easy look.

 

cool denim culottes

diy denim culottes from old and denim top

A pair of culottes and one top with denim patches. Culottes is the trousers to have at the moment but being more difficult to style than skinny trousers culottes have not been seen so much on the many…you really need your moment in front of the mirror with the lenght and to get it right. Get some tips here.

Of course my culottes are recycled from old jeans. I found nice fitting jeans that became the base of my culottes and the widening panels are from old denim leftover pieces. First I decided visually where I wanted my jeans to begin widening and after that I ripped the side seams open and inserted a panel that made the jeans as wide from the starting point as in the hem. With culottes it is important to keep the proportions right; the pant has to hit above the ankle.

The top is a patchwork of old denim leftover pieces, cool denim blue hues…and matching these two denim clothes together is a base – by adding colors and layers and accessory it will bring out the personality and style.

wearing my culottes with vintage boots

 

 

 

avant garde

diy free hand lettering with silver paint on jumperFinnish designer Anne Linnonmaa long cardigan with diy black back part

The avant-garde (from French, “advance guard” or “vanguard”, literally “fore-guard”)are people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture and politics.

Sometimes creative process can begin with only a word…in this case a word I came across printed on a t-shirt and after studying the meaning I could relate to avant-garde easily…being daring, innovative, experimental and stating out your own ideas with a bold or unusual way. If I have a statement written on my clothes it has to be saying something I can truly stand for.

The gray jumper is of course a bargain found on second hand, woolblend mens basic knit which I shortened leaving the hem raw without any sewing. Cuts in the elbows gives the altered knit a rough and worn feeling. By wearing under the piece coloured or textured layers it is easy to make different combos. Lettering I made free hand with silver acrylic paint.

Another garment upgrade I did to a Finnish designers Anne Linnonmaa long cardigan. Found this extra nice piece also second hand and after a while decided to give it more outstanding look, something that complements the piece but makes it more unique. To the back piece I cut out from another jumper a sleeve which I attached with basic zigzag stitches. From the same jumper I also cut out a pocket piece and placed it on the front of the cardigan only on the other side…cardigan did not loose its original shape or look but it became more outstanding and bold.

chevron denim cushion

 

Sewing something different from recycled denim. This pattern called chevron needed some time and accurate measurements but the end result is worth all thinking and calculating. I came across this print in Pinterest and used this blogpost as my guide. I was a bit surprised how seamless and floating the pattern is with my three colors, denim fabric is out of old jeans and the white fabric is linen.

 

For a final touch to give the cushion “a stamp” that it is totally recycled I attached  the label from jeans I used as fabric. Pillow has a zipper and reverse side is rigid cotton fabric.

 

 

diy chevron pattern denim cushion out of old jeans and linen fabric, decorated with original patch from the recycled jeans

diy chevron pattern denim cushion out of old jeans and linen fabric, decorated with original patch from the recycled jeans

shiny leather bag with zig zag pattern

This black leather bag with modest shine is actually a gift so the size of the bag and as well the color combinations are carefully thought trough. Inside the bag needs to fit a smart phone, wallet and home/car keys and the person who is going to to get this likes shades of black and grey…and of course silver color. For easy carrying cross body the strap is longer and a flap with magnetic clasp safeguards carried important items inside the bag.

I took apart my latest second hand bargain, long black leather jacket and cut the parts for the bag from the back and the sleeves of the jacket.  Adding silver colored leather stripe decorations (cut out with my Fiskars zig zag scissors) enhances the shape and personalizes the whole bag. I used the same zig zag pattern in strap fastenings and in the lining.

diy-black-and-silver-leather-bag-with-matching-details

diy-leather-bag-with-silver-colored-leather-details

diy-black-and-silver-colored-leather-bag-with-unique-details

diy-black-and-silver-leather-bag-with-matching-tassel

 

striped clutch

diy striped leather and suede clutch made out of old trousers

diy striped leather and suede clutch made out of old trousers

Zero waste clutch bag; made out of old suede trousers and a white leather vest into my all time favourite clean and graphic pattern stripes. Pattern that looks good with almost any outfit you choose. Triangle decorations on the sides add interest and more body to the clutch. By adding the option that I can wear this bag also on my shoulder makes it more versatile, although the solid purpose is clutch in which only the necessary items fits in, such as lipstick, keys and my phone.

Tämä laukku sai alkunsa inventoidessani nahkavarastojani. Löysin palan hiekanväristä nahkaa ja mustaa mokkaa joista leikkasin samanlevyisiä, suorakaiteen muotoisia paloja. Ompelin palat yhteen värejä vuorotellen ja aikani valmista nahkapintaa katsellessani päätin tehdä siitä kädessä kannettavan laukun, clutchin. Laukun sivuihin ompelin tehokeinoksi “kolmio”nahkasomisteen, näin laukku sai myös yksilöllisen ilmeen. Lisäsin laukkuun olkahihnan joka näin muuntaa kädessä kannettavan myös olalla pidettäväksi. Olkahihnaa vaihtamalla laukun saa myös nopeasti päivitettyä asukokonaisuuteen sopivaksi. Irrotettava metallinen olkahihna löytyi kirpparilta mutta hihnaksi käy myös vaikka ohut vyö. Clutch ei ole tilaihme mutta mukaan mahtuu kätevästi kuitenkin kaikki tarpeellinen.

 

shades of green with black

Green stands for balance, nature, spring, and rebirth. It’s the symbol of prosperity, freshness, and progress. In Japanese culture, green is associated with eternal life and in the highlands of Scotland, people used to wear green as a mark of honor. Green is the color of love associated with both Venus, the Roman goddess and Aphrodite, the Greek goddess.

And green hues are also the base in my artsy small bag, together with black patterned leather and gold colored metallic parts. My wardrobe were one green bag short, that I could notice when I was choosing my outfit one day and the last detail was missing: the green bag. In this design I joined triangle shapes out of different structured leather and fabrics together with zig zag seam. As usual I started up not really knowing how to fix the handles but in the end it all came together part by part. It is totally 100% recycled materials, made out of thrifted bags and belts.

diy-greenish-leather-bag-side-view-of-handle-fastening

 

diy-greenish-leather-bag-with-unique-decorations

I am experimenting different ways to do leather decorations.

I love to take photographs of my designs, usually I take my back bag carrying my Canon and the design plus a variety of stuff you might need when taking photos outside (clamps, tape, silk paper etc.) This photoshoot took place one misty morning upon a hill here in Gränna. The weather was just perfect, mysterious shapes and blurred colors everywhere. Enjoy the pictures, I do for sure!

diy-greenish-leatherbag

Little bit of staging does wonders.

diy-greenish-leather-bag-with-cross-body-strap

diy-greenish-leather-bag-with-metallic-details

moment of reflection

Taking a moment of reflection.

 

zig zag cross stitch bag

Cross stitching crazyness! Really how can people give/throw away these beautiful and extra nicely stitched piece of art works? I believe there will be a time when these vintage cross stitch handcrafts will be worth gold.

But until that, let`s do a bag out of one zig zag patterned, thrifted cross stitch. It was a pillow cover when I found it from second hand Erikshjälpen Jönköping. Mostly when I come across these old handicrafts they are pillow covers or wall decorations. The colors on this one are bold and I like how the lilac color pops up from the whole palette. I had a piece of brown leather from one earlier project and decided to go towards gold color in the metallic parts and decorations. For the lining I choose sturdy denim so the bag will stay in shape even when empty.

 

Again all parts fort this bag are recycled from second hand bags. My mission is to buy as little as possible straight from the craft stores but to do a bag with good and functional elements requires a lot of different metallic parts. Such as magnetic closures which I usually take apart from my second hand bags. Handles and straps are also quite tricky;  to do a long leather strap requires a lot of good leather and usually that is hard to achieve with leftover leather scraps, so again second hand bags to the rescue!

I am pleased how solid the outcome is, all colors match together and even the gold colored labels fit in with the look.

diy bag photoshoot by the waterside with hand lettered board

diy bag with recycled cross stitch and leather

diy vintage cross stitch bag photoshoot by waterside with thriftwood

 

 

 

 

leather bag with suede letters

Watching anime gave me the idea for this bag. I strongly relate to the phrase and I think that the emotions described as “mono no aware”  are similar to the ones that are present when I seek for ideas. Beauty lies silent and hidden and it never reveals itself when one is looking for it, beauty happens.

Mono no aware on japanilainen sanonta, jonka yleensä käännetään tarkoittavan “herkkyyttä asioiden edessä.Sillä viitataan kaihoisiin tunteisiin, jotka syntyvät kauniiden asioiden katoavaisuudesta ja hetkellisyydestä.

Three T-shirts

There is a number of ways you can repurpose a basic jersey tee—everything from braided accessories to full-blown woven rugs. It is all about making yarn out of your old, worn and torn T-shirts…and it is super easy just check out these instructions. For my bag I used three old T-shirts and the color stripes I crocheted horizontally…I did not decide the pattern or shape of the bag beforehand, I just went with the flow. When the bag was ready I came up with the idea to add long shoulder strap so that it would be easy also to carry the bag across my chest. Tassels I made out of black cotton yarn and by adding two different buttons I wanted to underline bags rugged hippie look…and buttons are of course vintage!diy crochet bag made out of old t-shirts with old button from the 50´s

denim shirt with metal

 

Simple denim shirt that I turned into a vest. Metal rings round the neck are thrifted, bag with 30 pieces for 2€. I sew the rings loosely so it is possible to decorate the neckpiece with for example a scarf or more metal accessories. By turning the hem to the sides in the front I created handy pockets.

Denimpusero muuntui jakuksi. Kauluksen tilalle ompelin kaulasomisteen johon pujotin metallilenkit ja kiinnitin ne paikoilleen. Metallilenkkien alta voi vielä pujottaa lisää denimiä tai vaikka värikkään, ohuen huivin. Denim on aina kuulunut suosikkeihini, kangasta voi työstää monella tapaa ja reunoja ei tarvitse huolitella, raakareunat denimissä antavat asuun kerroksellisuutta ja elävöittävät kankaan pintaa. Etutaskut käänsin puseron helmasta.

diy-remake denim shirt with metal details and pockets

I often take pictures of my designs by the waterside.

 

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

walk on the wild side

I am amazed how this pair of single colored, old and basic sneakers turned out after some camo pattern refresh! For the camo patterns I used old leather scraps from which I cut out rounded shapes and simply glued them on! I were inspired by a cool designers outfit.

The botanical pics I took here. Great place for inspiration and downshifting.

diy camo sneakers with shape cut leather decorations

matrix rings

Found laying around in the garage a piece of metal with holes. I used tools which made easier to bend and cut the metal. Outcome is a pair of rings with a rough and unfinished look! And why not use the bigger one also as a pendant with a leather cord?

Rei’itetty metallilevy, peltisakset, vasara ja metalliviila ja vahva visio mitä teen sattumalta löytyneestä metallinpalasta.

Muotoilin sormuksen metalliputken ympärillä pyöreäksi ja viilasin kaikki terävät kulmat pois. Toisesta sormuksesta tein peukalosormuksen josta taivutin metallin ulospäin. Hain sormuksiin viimeistelemätöntä, raakaa ilmettä. Pujottamalla reikiin nahkaa, ketjua tms. sormuksen ilmettä pystyy muuttamaan ja pitkänomainen sormus toimii myös kaulakoruna.

Intercoiffure photoshoot “fjord” with Susanoo refashioned clothes and acc.

Intercoiffure Finland spring&summer 2015. Style Fjord, hair Sanna-Mari Mustajärvi (Bang by Ara), photoshoot Luiza Lehtinen, make-up Ara Koivula (Bang by Ara).

Styling and close up craft photos Susanna Kaunisto.

Velour, leather, metal and chiffon. Top is made with Burda pattern and the material is a second hand long cardigan. Skirt is Finnish vintage leather made by Friitala, I turned it inside out to give the material more deeper color, shortened it and made a belt from the hem. Long chiffon skirt under the leather skirt is made out of curtains. Necklace is made out of jewellery that I found second hand, pieces are tied together with leather strips. My inspiration for this outfit is a brave and mythical woman warrior from the land of elf, trolls and castles.

Velouria, nahkaa, metallia ja sifonkia. Toppi on tehty Burdan kaavoilla second handina ostetusta pitkästä jakusta. Hame on Friitalan vintagea, mokkahame jonka käänsin nurin jotta väri olisi syvempi, muokkasin myös hameen pituutta ja ompelin vyön ylijääneestä helmapalasta. Sifonkihame nahkahameen alla on maahan asti ulottuva pitkillä halkioilla, modattu vanhoista verhoista. Kaulakoru on kuparinvärisellä spraylla maalattua metallia, osat vanhasta kaulakorusta jonka kokosin uudelleen haluamaani muotoon. Kaulakorun osat on liitetty toisiinsa nahkasuikaleilla. Inspiraation tähän asuun hain tarujen ja myyttien maailmasta, naissotureiden vaatteista.

Intercoiffure Finland photoshoot "Fjord", acc. and clothes by Susanoo

Intercoiffure Finland photoshoot "Fjord", acc. and clothes by Susanoo

hyped up wristlet

These hologram wristlets I made for a fashion photoshoot. The style that had to be created stated “futuristic”. My inspiration came from sport fashion and fencing. Material on the wristlets are soft plastic that was easy to sew and the reflecting part is self adhesive vinyl. I wanted to create the feeling of weightless body armor that just floats on your skin.

Muotikuvauksiin tekemäni hologrammirannekkeet. Rannekkeet täydensivät tyylisuuntaa tulevaisuuden klubbailijasta, yöelämän futuristisesta tähtösestä. Inspiraatiota hain urheiluvaatetuksesta mm. miekkailusta ja show-painista sekä avaruus/tulevaisuus aiheista. Materiaaliksi rannekkeisiin valitsin taipuisan ja ohuen muovin jota pystyi helposti ompelemaan. Päällystin rannekkeet hologrammiteipillä niin että käytettäessä ihoa näkyisi myös rannekkeen alta ja hopeinen hologrammi ikäänkuin leijuisi käden päällä. Rannekkeen sivuihin ompelin mustaa kangasnauhaa tukemaan kiinnittämisessä käytettäviä muttereita.

diy plastic wristles with self adhesive holographic vinyl

 

cheetah print bag

Thrifted the skirt already while ago and did not really know what do with it. Animal print; black spots on turqoise, glittering base is not really my type of fabric but this crazy combo could work on some smaller surface. Inspiration for the shape I got from a round leather bag and I wanted to experiment the shape on this fabric. Adding some support inside to keep the form as round as possible was necessary and using foamy placemat cut into shape worked out perfectly. The shoulder strap and zipper are both thrifted, it is amazing how much accessories for sewing you can find second hand for only few euros…these things usually build up the price on a bag but in this case the total cost for the bag was 5€. Oh and the denim jacket is also second hand…just adding a lot of different fabric patches to make it fab!

diy cheetah print bag from old skirt

fabric sofa samples- a bag

I do find the Finnish Red Cross Kontti second hand department stores very exiting and worth a visit every time. They have a special deal for all the craft items they sell…it is priced by weight. So these fabric sofa samples (at least over 20 pieces in one bag) were all together 2€.

 

My first try out from the samples is this bag. I used five of the samples and the lining and handles are made out of old jeans.

I added the chain which is an old necklace and the decoration parts in the handles and on the both sides of the bag are actually from various old bags.

And a bag is not finished until the tassel is there! Inspiration picture for statement bag, click!

diy bag from fabric sofa samples with recycled jewellery and parts from old bagsdiy bag from fabric sofa samples with recycled jewellery and parts from old bags

davinci

Delicate and dreamy leather pendants. Top that is used as the background is one of my old designs, simply a pattern with triangle and a circle. The jewellery I started calling DaVinci…cause at that time I was reading more about his designs. All materials are again recycled…pieces from old jewellery.

Symbolism and mysteries fascinates me and one way or another leaves their signature in the outcome…

 

Headpiece is also one of my old designs.

 

diy dreamy and delicate leather pendants called davinci

check it out

laying dress patterns on checkered fabric

stamping free hand cut shapes on the dress

 

This red checked fabric was a last minute found from a thrift store for 2€ and after this pic I knew what to do out of it. Pattern for the dress is again from 90s fashion magazine Burda with some slight alternations. The dress turned out to be too easy and “nice” so I cut out some free hand patterns and stamped them on.

It was supposed to be tough looking chick wearing a checked punk inspired dress with dr. Martens shoes…but it turned out to be slightly nicer version of that. When you want the picture to be taken full torso and you wearing the dress it is hard if you have to do it by yourself—-but hey let´s use a selfie stick—which is not as easy as I thought it would be…photoshoot took place in the botanical garden of Delft.

Susanna wearing diy checkered fabric dress with vintage leather jacket and Converse sneakers

pouches with art

For carrying mobile phone cross-body. All pouches are made from recycled materials; denim, leather and all the metal parts are from thrifted bags or jewellery. Lining is made out of old scarves, as long as they have silky and smooth surface to easily slide in and take out the phone. I used various type of cords for the strap…from shoe laces to self made ones.

Some of the pouches I painted and stamped with lines and circles and the swiss cross symbol was just perfect for the more simplified and sharp look. Love to use also washing instructions from old garments as decoration.

Now I just need to find homes for these unique pouches…

diy denim pouches black and white artsy picture

work in process stamping, painting and decorations

blue pipes with “Dream boat”

diy blue leather jewellery background art Robert Giusti

Arts and crafts. Because I love leather, because I love finding different ways to express my love for leather, because combining recycled jewellery and leather makes awesome and unique outcome.

I searched for some cool backgrounds for my “blue pipes” and found a book graphis annual 83|84 from which I picked these ones to tell a story with my jewellery. I think  the pics I found are just spot on…especially the one with the bird…”Dream Boat” by Robert Giusti.

diy leather pendant with second hand silver colored rings

diy leather pendant with second hand silver colored rings

Gold painted denim

diy denim bag with painted gold colored waves and matching tassel diy denim bag with painted gold colored waves on the rooftops in Kloksteeg Delft Netherlands

Free hand painting on denim. Bought this denim fabric for 2€ from local thrift shop…it is a large piece of denim, almost three meters so this bag will be the first one of a bigger wave-family.

I lined the bag with the same denim fabric so the bag both looks and feels sturdy…easy to also carry heavy items and the bag keeps its shape even when half empty. Shoulder straps I padded to add extra comfort and fastened them to the bag with gold colored badges (which I found on a flee market in Ghent…30 pieces for 2€).

And the tassel…cause what would a bag be without a matching tassel? Painted some black leather with the same gold color and finalized the tassel with twisted metal wire (done from an old bracelet). Now waves and vibes for good times!

 

 

 

leopard print backbag

diy animal print back bagdiy animal print back bag with recycled decorations

The leopard print fabric and the cute Hawaiian motif one were a gift from a friend. What to sew out of these fabrics? I am not a big fan of animal printed clothes…so I came up with the idea to join both fabrics in the same item – a backbag. The Hawaiian print fabric I used as a lining. Shoulder straps are from thrift shop; a belt with gold colored studs 3€ and the chains from an old necklace. It is more my style to wear animal print as accessory – as a contrast or matching part of my outfit.

 

Photoshoot took place at harbour; beatiful sunny day and glittering water. From nationalgeographic.com: “Leopards are strong swimmers and very much at home in the water, where they sometimes eat fish or crabs.”  ;-)

denim wrap & Hermès

diy denim wrap skirt from old jeans, pattern from vintage leather skirt

 

The gored skirt is made of several triangular pieces of fabric, known as “gores.” The gores of a skirt are smaller at the top of the waist and wider toward the bottom of the hemline. When these gores are stitched together, the skirt takes on an A-line shape that works well for most body types. This design allows for a flattering fit at the hips and ease of movement while walking.

I bought second hand two pairs of dark denim jeans (5€) and re used them for my denim wrap skirt. I left the hem raw…in time being the hem will soften nicely and create a perfect worn look. I used my old, favourite leather skirt as a base when drawing the pattern. The back pocket from the jeans serves now as a handy front pocket in which my phone or other important stuff easily fits.

The silk top is made out of an old vintage Hermès silk scarf…yes it felt wrong to cut it but I use more the top now, the scarf I used mostly as a hairband.This way I can enjoy more of the beautiful motifs on the scarf; wearing a piece of artwork and true craftmanship.

I want to share with you one interesting fact about Hermès scarfs (source Wikipedia)

“Contemporary Hermès scarves measure 90 cm × 90 cm, weigh 65 grams and are woven from the silk of 250 mulberry moth cocoons. All of the hems are hand-stitched. Scarf motifs are wide-ranging, two silk-scarf collections per year are released, along with some reprints of older designs and limited editions.”

Hermès scarf top and diy denim skirt

diy Hermès scarf top and denim wrap skirt with zipper

 

•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.

 

 

|| mindful ||

Some pics of my jewellery diy year 2015.

I was trying out different techniques, such as self made clay and ways of decorating the clay with paint and nailpolish. In my older posts you can find more about these experiments. Some of the pieces turned out nice and few (above and under) became my favourite.

diy pendants from natural stones and odd metal parts

I picked up small stones whenever and wherever I found interesting ones. I let the shape of the object guide the way I am decorating and painting, by doing this I am merely enhancing the hidden beauty already existing.

collage of diy pendants from different materials

 

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.