Myra Callan - Adornments : Sew and Create Accessories with Fabric, Lace and Beads

Dedication

For my parents, Jung and Hwa; loving husband, Matt; one and only sister, Amy; and grandmother, Ok Boon.

CHAPTER ONE
MATERIALS, TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

CHAPTER TWO
FLOWERS

CHAPTER THREE
FEATHERS

CHAPTER FOUR
FLOURISHES

A fter I started my own business of creating adornments, Twigs & Honey, my mother asked me where I learned the techniques and how I came up with my designs. I told her that I originally learned from her. When I was little, I would watch my mom sew skirts together and arrange flowers for weddings and church services. She never received formal training and didnt use patterns. I would collect the scraps from her projects and create my own accessories and dolls. I had an active imagination. If I couldnt find a particular toy I desired, I would make it myself. My father also created anything I needed that involved wood, and he was meticulous about drawing plans and measuring materials. He made bird houses and wooden homes for my pet mice and built ponds and a multi-level deck in our backyard. While my mother had a keen sense for style and balance, my father had the ability to build with tools and precision. I think I adopted an equal mix of characteristics from both my mother and father, and in doing so, developed a unique skill set and solid foundation for design.

By junior high, I loved to create, but it was just a hobby. I decided to focus on my studies, which later resulted in a degree in geography with a focus on environmental science. I was a perfectionist and didnt feel confident that my hobbies could sustain the livelihood I envisioned, so I planned on becoming a scientist researching environmental change. After working for the government for over a year, I yearned to create beautiful things. The perfect opportunity presented itself while planning my wedding. With a shoestring budget, I decided to make hair accessories for my bridesmaids and myself so I could create exactly what I wanted within a realistic budget. The wedding was beautiful, and I married the love of my life on September 8, 2007. Everything was going well, but after returning from our honeymoon, I felt unfulfilled by my current career path. In January 2008, I listed my first hair accessory, a feathery flower, on Etsy. Within a week, I had sold the one piece in my shop and started receiving custom order requests. My little business took off, and I put in my notice at work just two months later when I realized I was putting more than full-time hours into my creative business. As frightening as it was to leave a secure income, I was excited to be able to create for a living.

Twigs & Honey has grown in leaps and bounds since its modest beginnings, and it has provided me with an outlet that is more fulfilling than any other occupation I could have imagined for myself. Through the business, Ive rediscovered my love for creating. The pieces I enjoy making are a mixture of multiple fashion styles and categories. Its freeing to be able to create such a variety of pieces and to source all manner of materials. Experimentation is such a wonderful thing.

This book is a collection of projects that utilize an assortment of supplies and techniques. Youll learn how to create flowers by hand, curl feathers and incorporate lace. The projects showcase some of my favorite materials and most-loved styles. The book demonstrates the methods, but the possibilities are nearly limitless in terms of end results, as youll be able to use your own found and treasured components. From vintage millinery flowers to freshwater pearls, you can adjust the projects to reflect your own personal sense of style. With some easy-to-learn skills, youll be able to create beautiful adornments that are suitable for any occasion.

My mom still helps me with some of my design projects, and I still ask my dad basic questions about construction and building. I think that you never truly stop learning and growing. Im constantly trying to broaden my skill set and learn something new. Have fun making these projects and creating them with friends and family. Try your own variations by hunting down lovely accent fabrics and delicate bits. I hope you enjoy creating these projects as much as I enjoyed designing and developing them.