Day 30- The Vinyl & Duck Messenger Bag

3/30/14

It's the last day of Create30. I sat down and sketched before starting to work today because of course the last day of a project like this creates quite a bit of pressure. I wanted to work with the duck cloth I had left from the tote bag I made on Day 26 (The Convertible Tote). I had a yard of vinyl from the hardware store which I decided to combine with the duck, possibly because it's been raining all weekend and the idea of waterproof material is appealing.

I made a pattern for a large size bag and cut the bottom from duck cloth and the top from vinyl. Each side was doubled. I sewed the vinyl handles in between the pieces of duck to give a clean finish and reinforce the top of the bag.

After the vinyl pieces were inserted, I stitched an outline along the top and around the handle with white thread. This would look great with a colored or metallic thread as well. This is the step where colored or printed paper or fabric could be sandwiched between the vinyl.

I sewed a 3" panel between the sides of the bag to make it larger, and used white rubber to accent and support the corners. There is a webbing strap long enough to make the bag usable as a cross-body messenger style, or simply a tote bag with a foldover top. 

Cross-body tote: Duck cloth, rubber, vinyl, webbing

It's hard to believe I've finished all thirty projects. It's been amazing to see the huge variety of work and style of which I am capable, and a great way to learn some new techniques. There were definitely days I was less inclined to sit inside and keep working, but this month has been an extremely valuable learning experience, if only in staying disciplined.

I'll follow up with a little summary and some fresh ideas soon!

Starting tonight I will be posting items from Create30 for presale on my Etsy shop. Stay in touch!

xo,

Arielle

PS- This item is now available for sale in my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/SalkinAccessories

Day 29- Rocking The Stone Disc Necklace

3/29/14

I was determined today to use those stone disc beads that I didn't end up using yesterday. Part of the challenge was that it is the shape that attracts me and I wanted to use them in a way that would show them from the front. I have some Accu-Flex beading wire that I usually don't use because I find it difficult to control but chose for this project because the color is very similar to the discs. I started and ended the necklace with vintage gold cone beads that cover the crimps for the flex wire. 

I strung two pieces of wire and wove back and forth through the discs, stringing gold tube beads on the front side between each disc. 

I completed the strand and finished off with another gold cone. The loops will get a gold clasp (as soon as I get to the store to buy all the clasps for my poor clasp-less projects...) When I put the piece on Eunice I decided it could use another row of discs in the front.

I strung the second layer of discs in the same way as the rest of the necklace. I used a matching russet colored wire to connect the pieces by overlapping them and locking them together with gold beads.

Necklace: Stone, Glass Beads, Accu-Flex wire, Vintage findings

I cannot believe tomorrow is the last day of my 30 day challenge. What a 30 day's it's been!
xo,
Arielle

Day 28- The Gold Beaded Necklace

3/28/14

I started the day with some stone disc beads that I've had for a while and have always wanted to use for something, but finished the day without them. Ah well, their day will come. I ended up working with small gold square beads, hand dyed yarn, and gold chain.

I began by stringing the gold beads on the yarn and knotting between each one with the pearl-knotting technique. I kept stretching out the string to keep the knots tight and the strand fluid. 

Using a needle to pull the knots towards the beads.

I finished the strand, finished off with loops at the ends to attach a closure. I knotted a thin gold chain to the same yarn and connected them at the back to make a double strand. I like that the piece can be used as is, or it can be knotted decoratively or a charm or pendant can be added.

Necklace: Glass beads, yarn, chain

Drastically different from yesterday's neon rubber piece, but that's what accessories are all about.
Have a great weekend!
xo,
Arielle

PS- This item is now available for sale in my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/SalkinAccessories

Day 27- Technicolor Tubing

3/27/14

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, my trip to Canal Rubber landed me some incredible materials. Today I worked with some of the tubing I purchased; both the neon red and the larger clear pieces.

I knew I wanted to do some sort of layered look, in particular I realized that the neon red tubing looked really neat when threaded through the clear tubing as it appears to be suspended in the center. I experimented with alternate ways of embellishing the clear tubing, from drawing a pattern on the surface to wrapping with ribbon. (The neon tubing looks pink in some of the photos but it is actually neon red. Almost pink.)

I think coloring or printing on the tubing would be a great way to go, but I didn't have the patience to follow through with this today. 

I landed on a ribbon wrapping technique that adds color and dimension while allowing the neon tubing to shine through.

After wrapping the tube with an aqua grosgrain ribbon back and forth, I inserted the neon red tubing, leaving it longer to allow for additional flexibility and to attach the closure.

I used a wider and slightly darker grosgrain ribbon to wrap the ends of the tube neatly. 

I inserted jumprings into the ends of the neon tubing and added short chains and a clasp. The clear rubber isn't too flexible but it lays well at the collar.

Necklace: Rubber Tubing, Ribbon, Chain

What's cool is that this piece could actually come with interchangeable tube colors as the neon tube is not fastened to the clear, only threaded. It could be sold with different color options for the inner layer. Looking forward to using the rest of the rubber!

xo,

Arielle 

Day 26- The Convertible Tote

3/26/14

Today I went to one of the coolest places to shop for materials: Canal Rubber. Canal Rubber has been around since the mid 50's and is a fixture of Canal Street. (I actually cannot stand Canal Street; the only shopping I do there is at Canal Rubber and Canal Plastic Center.)

Oh the wonderful treasures of Canal Rubber. 

I bought a pile of rubber tubing and some sheets of rubber similar to that used for jar openers, etc. They have a great selection of bright colors and tubing diameters.

Today's project is a style I was looking to try for some time- a two tone tote bag. I used the black rubber as the base and lined and topped it off with a natural colored duck cloth.

Black rubber sheet and natural colored duck cloth

Top is duck cloth and the bottom is black rubber

This piece is very simple but it has fantastic versatility. I added tote straps using wide twill tape which actually doubles as a closure, tied at the back, so you can transform it into a clutch. You can also use it as a clutch by tucking in the straps. 

The Transformer Tote: Natural Duck Cloth, Rubber, Twill Tape

 

 

This piece will translate very well into different fabrics and textures. Instead of the tie in the back it would be lovely with a handmade ceramic button. 

I'm thinking that this would be pretty darn useful on one of those days where you have to lug a tote around all day but need a much cuter bag for dinner...

Can't wait to tackle the rubber tubing supply!

xo,

Arielle

PS- This item is now available for sale in my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/SalkinAccessories

Day 25- The Mummy Clutch

3/25/14

Today's piece is actually one of my very favorites, simple as it is, because it's so versatile and easy to make in different colors and patterns. It would also would look great painted or beaded.

I used my classic side stitch ribbon technique to make the bag from heavy cotton strap. I love that it's so heavyweight and the texture makes the direction so obvious.

I made the base of the bag lining the straps vertically. I lay out three pieces horizontally and inserted an ivory/silver zipper so that it would be exposed. I sewed the top to the bottom and hand stitched the top closed on the back.

Pouch/Clutch, Cotton Strapping

Definitely a short and sweet project but I love the outcome. I'll be remaking this one in many different colors and patterns!

xo,

Arielle

PS- This item is now available for sale in my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/SalkinAccessories

Day 24- Head of Roses

3/24/14

Today I was just trying to use up all the wonderful yarn that is stuffed so full in a drawer it is impossible to open. Apparently I have a tendency to buy russets and burnt oranges and dark reds and everything in between... so I just started crocheting little circles out of all the coordinating yarns I had.

This is actually one that only has some orange and red; but it is one of my absolute favorites! I bought it on Etsy as a treat to myself. It has a core it's actually spun around, and it has random blobs of sparkle thread and silky scraps. It's awesome. If you love yarn, check out Spinning Wheel Studio on Etsy.

I began stacking them by size and making little variegated rosettes. I sewed them together to form a small piece which I had originally planned on sewing to a hat, but decided would be more versatile as a headband that could be worn over a hat as a decoration or by itself.

I attached all the rosettes together and braided some orange-red jersey with grey to make a band. I originally intended to attach the rosettes to a crocheted had but decided to make it into a headband instead so it could be worn over a knit hat or used as a headband or headpiece. 

Crocheted Headband: Wool, Alpaca, Silk, Acrylic Yarns, Cotton Jersey

Obviously I love crocheting on the round and it's probably not my last project with crocheted circles, so expect to see more. I think they would make a great decor on a bag too and can certainly be painted or beaded as well.

xo,

Arielle