A striking layered necklace in black and white tones, designed with textured bead-like forms that create depth and movement. Hand-wrapped in recycled textiles, it brings an artisanal, globally inspired edge to any look.
- Design: Multi-strand layered necklace with varying bead sizes and brass spacers
- Material: Textiles
- Size: 16+3" long on the shortest strand
- Country of Origin: India
Distinctive yet easy to style, this piece adds sculptural interest to simple silhouettes and pairs beautifully with elevated everyday dressing or evening layers.
Care & Disclaimer: Each necklace is handcrafted, so slight variations in bead size, texture, and finish are to be expected and celebrated. Store dry and avoid direct contact with water, perfume, and lotions to preserve its beauty.
design: A bold multi-strand necklace of round, fabric-wrapped beads in varying sizes, mixing solid black, cream, and marbled black-and-white patterns for a layered, sculptural effect. Brass spacers and a brass hook clasp with extender chain finish each strand.
size: 16+3" long on the shortest strand; additional strands graduate longer for a layered drape.
material: Recycled textiles (fabric-wrapped beads) with brass/copper hardware and spacers.
features: Multi-strand layered design, mixed bead sizes, brass spacers, extender chain for adjustable length, one-of-a-kind fabric patterning on every bead
care: Store dry and away from direct contact with water, perfume, and lotions to keep the textile beads and brass hardware looking their best.
disclaimer: Each necklace is handcrafted, so slight variations in bead size, texture, and fabric pattern are to be expected and celebrated.
The Story
This necklace draws on kantha, a hand-stitching tradition from West Bengal, spanning both India and Bangladesh, in which women historically layered worn cotton saris and dhotis and joined them with rows of simple running stitch. What began as a practical way to give new life to well-used cloth grew into a recognized textile art, prized for the subtle texture and pattern created when many stitched layers of fabric come together.
Here, that same instinct for transforming worn cloth carries over into jewelry: strips of recycled fabric are wrapped tightly around bead cores, building up the black, cream, and marbled patterning seen on each bead. No two beads wrap identically, so the pattern of any single strand is unrepeatable.
The result sits at the intersection of textile craft and jewelry making, honoring the resourcefulness at the heart of kantha while giving the material a new, wearable form.
Making a piece like this starts with sorting scraps of recycled cotton fabric by color and pattern, then cutting them into strips. Each strip is wound by hand around a bead core, layer over layer, until the surface builds up the mottled, marbled look and the bead reaches the right size and weight. The wrapped beads are then strung by hand in graduated strands, spaced with small brass beads and finished with a brass clasp and extender chain — all steps done by artisans working with fabric and thread rather than machinery.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: India
- Craft Tradition: Kantha textile wrapping
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a statement necklace with texture and a story, not just shine
- Wear It With: Layer over a simple crewneck or button-down for daytime, or let it stand alone against a solid-color evening top
- Purpose: Everyday statement wear, evening layering, gifting
- Metal: Brass / copper
Questions & Answers
What are the beads made of?
Each bead is built by hand-wrapping strips of recycled cotton textile around a core, which is what gives every bead its unique black, cream, or marbled pattern.
Is the necklace adjustable?
Yes, it closes with a brass hook clasp and a short extender chain, so you can adjust the fit slightly at the shortest strand.
How long is the necklace?
The shortest strand measures 16 inches plus a 3-inch extender, with the additional strands graduating longer to create the layered look.
Will the fabric beads hold up to daily wear?
They're made to be worn regularly, but as with any textile, keep them away from water, perfume, and lotion, and store them dry to preserve the color and texture.
Will my necklace look exactly like the photo?
Close, but not identical — because each bead is hand-wrapped from recycled fabric, the exact placement of patterns and shades will vary slightly from piece to piece.
