Celebrate vibrant colors and intricate craftsmanship with this necklace, sustainably handmade by women artisans in India. It features four strands of recycled Kantha textile beads in varying sizes, creating an eye-catching layered effect.
- An artisanal creation, each bead handcrafted from recycled Kantha textiles over wood
- Measures 16" long at the shortest strand, with a 3" extender for personalized fit
- Assembled using eco-friendly, recycled Kantha textiles
- Handmade in India by skilled women artisans
Disclaimer: Each piece is unique and crafted from recycled textiles, so colors and patterns may vary.
design: Four graduated strands of round fabric-wrapped beads gather into a bib-style necklace, moving from small single-bead chains at the neck to a bold cluster of large beads at the center front.
size: Shortest strand measures 16" long, with a 3" extender chain for adjustable fit.
material: Recycled Kantha textile over wood bead cores, strung on gold-plated brass chain and findings.
features: Four-strand layered design, graduated bead sizes, adjustable 3" extender, gold-plated brass hardware, no two necklaces alike
care: Wipe beads gently with a dry cloth and store flat or hanging to avoid crushing the fabric, keeping the necklace away from water and perfume.
disclaimer: Because each bead is wrapped from a recycled textile, color placement and pattern will vary piece to piece, so your necklace won't match the sample exactly.
The Story
Kantha begins as a running stitch traditionally used across Bengal to layer worn cotton saris and dhotis into quilts, wraps, and covers. Rather than discard cloth once it softened with age, women stitched several layers together, and over generations the plain running stitch was elaborated with pattern, giving old fabric a second, sturdier life. That same impulse toward reuse carries into this necklace: instead of a quilt, the recycled kantha cloth is cut into strips and wrapped tightly around wood beads, so every beaded surface still carries traces of a print, border, or stripe from the sari it once was.
Because the source fabric is reclaimed rather than woven to order, no two lengths of cloth are identical, which is why the beads here read as a scrapbook of color and pattern rather than a matched set. This is a practical outcome of the upcycling process, not a decorative effect layered on top of it, and it's the same variability that has always defined kantha work made from whatever cloth was on hand.
To make each bead, an artisan cuts strips from recycled kantha textile and wraps them by hand around a wood core, pulling the fabric taut and securing the ends so the pattern sits smoothly around the curve. Once dry, the beads are sorted by size and color, then hand-linked in graduated order onto gold-plated brass chain to build up the four strands. The work is done by women artisans in India, and because every strip of cloth is cut from a different section of recycled fabric, matching beads into a balanced, wearable strand is a judgment call made bead by bead rather than a fixed template.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: India
- Craft Tradition: Recycled Kantha textile beadwork
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a bold, conversation-starting statement necklace with a sustainable story
- Wear It With: Let it be the focus over a simple solid-color top or neckline, since the multicolor beads do the talking
- Purpose: Statement jewelry, layering piece, gifting
- Metal: Gold Plated Brass
Questions & Answers
Will my necklace look exactly like the one in the photo?
No two are exactly alike. Each bead is hand-wrapped from recycled kantha textile, so the colors and patterns you receive will be a unique mix rather than an exact match to the sample shown.
What is Kantha fabric?
Kantha refers to layered, hand-stitched cotton cloth traditionally made in Bengal by reusing worn saris and dhotis. Here, that same recycled textile is wrapped around wood beads instead of stitched into a quilt.
How long is the necklace and is it adjustable?
The shortest of the four strands measures 16" and the necklace includes a 3" extender chain, so you can adjust the fit slightly at the clasp.
Is the necklace heavy to wear?
The beads are built around lightweight wood cores, so despite the bold, layered look, it wears comfortably for a statement piece.
How do I clean and store it?
Wipe the beads with a dry cloth, keep them away from water and perfume, and store the necklace flat or hanging so the fabric-wrapped beads keep their shape.
