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.

For this piece, Saoirse used a vintage brown leather glove owned by her grandmother. It was a cherished piece passed down through her family, and one that her children loved for many years as a prized dress-up item. When her daughter grew from dress-up to archery and needed a shooting glove, Saoirse knew what to do, and modified her grandmother’s glove to help her daughter’s practice.

The remainder of the supple brown leather was cut into extremely fine strips, splinted together, and woven into the cord you see here. The brass beads were gifted to her by a jeweler friend who no longer needed them. Together the pieces of this necklace symbolize the strong bonds of family and friendship.

Materials: Vintage brown leather, solid brass beads

Approximately 29“ long.