A vibrant layering piece with sculptural presence, this multicolor necklace brings together hand-wrapped textile beads in a rich, mixed palette. Five strands create depth and movement, finished with warm brass spacers for an artisanal touch.
- Design: Five-strand layered necklace with varying bead sizes and brass spacers
- Material: Recycled fabrics, textiles, alloy
- Size: 18" shortest strand with 3" extender
- Country of Origin: India
Thoughtfully crafted for easy styling, this piece adds color, texture, and dimension to simple looks or layered ensembles. The handcrafted finish gives each necklace a unique character that feels both relaxed and refined. Each bead is meticulously hand-wrapped in upcycled Kantha textiles, giving new life to vintage fabrics in a joyful, free-spirited form.
Care & Disclaimer: Handcrafted variations in color, texture, and bead placement are part of its natural charm. Keep dry, avoid direct contact with perfumes or lotions, and store separately to preserve the finish.
design: Five graduated strands of hand-wrapped fabric beads in a lively mixed palette, spaced with warm brass-toned alloy beads for a layered, sculptural look.
size: 18" shortest strand with a 3" extender; remaining four strands graduate longer to create the layered drape shown.
material: Recycled fabrics and textiles (upcycled Kantha cloth) wrapped over bead cores, strung with alloy spacers and clasp.
features: Five-strand layered design, hand-wrapped fabric beads, brass-toned alloy spacers, 3" extender for adjustable length, made from upcycled textile remnants
care: Keep dry, avoid direct contact with perfumes and lotions, and store separately from other jewelry to protect the fabric finish.
disclaimer: Because each bead is individually hand-wrapped from remnant fabric, color placement, pattern, and bead size vary naturally from piece to piece.
The Story
Kantha is a running-stitch textile tradition from the Bengal region of India, historically practiced by women who layered worn cotton saris and dhotis and stitched them together into new quilts, wraps, and covers rather than let the cloth go to waste. The technique turns age and use into pattern: the more a sari had been worn and washed, the softer and more prized the resulting kantha cloth became.
This necklace draws on that same spirit of reuse, translating it from flat cloth into wearable form. Instead of quilting layers of sari fabric, artisans cut it into small pieces and wrap each one tightly around a bead core, so every bead carries a fragment of a different sari's print or weave.
Because the fabric comes from a wide, unplanned mix of remnants, no two necklaces sequence color and pattern the same way. The five-strand layering multiplies that effect, turning a pile of leftover cloth into a piece with real depth and movement.
Making a piece like this starts with sorting scraps of worn cotton sari and kantha cloth by color and pattern, then cutting them into small workable pieces. Each bead is formed by hand-wrapping a piece of fabric snugly around a core and securing it, a slow, repetitive process done bead by bead rather than in bulk. Once enough beads are ready, they're strung by hand into five graduated strands alternating with brass-toned alloy spacers, then finished with a clasp and extender chain.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: India
- Craft Tradition: Kantha textile bead wrapping
- Ideal For: Someone who loves bold color and layering, and likes jewelry with a story behind the material.
- Wear It With: Let it be the focal point over a simple solid-color top or dress rather than competing with other necklaces.
- Purpose: Everyday statement wear, layering, gifting
- Metal: Brass-toned alloy
Questions & Answers
What is this necklace made of?
The beads are hand-wrapped in upcycled Kantha textile (recycled sari and cotton fabric scraps) over bead cores, strung with brass-toned alloy spacers.
Will my necklace look exactly like the photo?
Close, but not identical. Since the beads are wrapped from remnant fabric, the exact color placement and pattern sequence vary from piece to piece.
What does 'Kantha' mean?
Kantha is a traditional running-stitch technique from the Bengal region of India, originally used to layer and stitch worn saris into new quilts and cloth. This necklace uses that same reused fabric, wrapped around beads instead of stitched flat.
How long is the necklace and does it layer well?
The shortest of the five strands measures 18" with a 3" extender, and the remaining strands graduate longer, giving the layered look shown without needing to add separate necklaces.
How do I care for it?
Keep it dry, avoid direct contact with perfumes and lotions, and store it separately from other jewelry to protect the fabric-wrapped beads.
