Saoirse Byrne’s exploration of cordage began with learning to twist wild harvested plants with Tamara Wilder. Curious, she applied the process to the abundance of materials in her studio and life. Having held on to her great grandmother’s threadbare handkerchief for decades – precious but unusable – Saoirse turned to cordage. It became a strong, loving reminder of her – a necklace that she could wear and a process that she could share.

Saoirse’s work focuses on materials that can be salvaged and reused, as well as eco-friendly, naturally grown fibers. She loves to reclaim textiles and preserve the memories and joy that they once brought previous owners.

The fabric for this necklace was donated to Saoirse by long-time friend and textile artist Angelina DeAntonis, founder of the slow fashion brand Ocelot Clothing. For this piece Saoirse carefully turned in all of the edges as she twisted the cord, creating a smooth exterior. She then doubled the cord over and cabled it, creating the double helix twist but reducing the length by half.

Materials: Hand-dyed silk, brass beads

Approximately 56“ long.