About
Beautiful and interesting things to wear and use
Eclectic \Ec*lec"tic\, adjective: Selecting; choosing (what is true or excellent in doctrines, opinions, etc.) from various sources or systems; as, an eclectic philosopher.
When I make something, I want it to be beautiful and useful; to adorn the wearer, or to do something useful like protecting your table from hot pots (while still looking fabulous). These works are not limited to one technique or craft; I choose whatever craft I know (and I know many) which suits the design of what I am making. Hence, "Essence of Eclectic". I delight in making things which are elegant and functional, fun and useful. From the simple and practical, to the heights of wearable art, you will find it here.
Shop members
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Kathryn A
Owner
My parents gave me a bead loom when I was ten. I never looked back. Leatherwork, stamping, embossing, macramé, beading, crochet, chainmaille, Kumihimo, loom knitting, Lucet cords, metal stamping, wire wrapping, resin casting - and I'm still learning.
Shop policies
Shipping
Payment options
- Accepts Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits
Returns & exchanges
- Custom or personalized orders
- Perishable products (like food or flowers)
- Digital downloads
- Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
- Items on sale
Privacy policy
- To communicate with you about your order
- To fulfill your order
- For legal reasons (like paying taxes)
More information
Frequently asked questions
Regarding GST for Australian Buyers
The Etsy notice about GST is somewhat misleading; it says that GST is included "where applicable"... but do not provide the ability for Australian sellers to add GST for Australian buyers only. Fortunately for you and me, a small business is only required to register for GST if they make more than $75,000 a year, and I definitely don't do that! So this shop is not registered for GST, and you aren't paying GST on these goods, because you don't have to. Yay!
Care Instructions for Chainmaille - Tarnish
Items made of copper, bronze, or silver will tarnish unless given a protective coating. Some of the items I have made of these materials I have protected with Renaissance Wax or with clear enamel -- check the individual listing. However, most items with these materials have not been coated, because coatings tend to wear off unevenly and look unsightly.
To remove tarnish: if the item is pure chainmaille, put in a container, cover with boiling water and add a tablespoon of vinegar, or a teaspoon of citric acid. Let this steep for five minutes, and then rinse THOROUGHLY. If the item includes semi-precious stones, it can't be cleaned in acid unless you remove the stones first, or the stones will be ruined.
Care Instructions for Chainmaille - General
Items made of stainless steel, coloured/enamelled copper, or aluminium will not tarnish. To clean them, put in a container with hot water and a little dish-washing detergent, and shake; then rinse. This can also be done as a general cleaning method for other metals, but it will not remove tarnish.
Care Instructions for Textile Jewellery
Jewellery made with textiles should usually not need cleaning. If they do, try a gentle hand-wash in cold water, to ensure that the textile does not shrink.
Lay the item flat to dry. Do not tumble-dry.
Note that some items made of silk may change colour if you wash them, so be careful.
What is the difference between your Wearable Art and your other work? Why does it cost more?
The Wearable Art is just that: art. It costs more because it takes more work and more skill to create. Each piece of wearable art begins with a meaning I am trying to convey. To distill the essence of that meaning into a piece of jewellery takes much thought, and sometimes much experimentation, since the first attempt to construct what I envisage may not always work. When that happens, I have to try again. This may entail using different techniques or different materials, or even going back to the drawing-board and figuring out a completely different approach.
My other works can also have meaning, but with them, the title and its meaning comes after I have created the work, not before.