Recycled Necktie Keychains OH MY!!

I’ve been recycling men's neckties into Cell Phone Wristlets for over two years now.  And in making these wristlets, I’ve accumulated quite a large collection of leftover necktie pieces.  I’ve held onto these remnants because I knew one day I would probably create something with them.  There are a few ideas brewing around in my head, but so far I've only had the chance to create a keychain large enough to slip over your wrist.    

My first batch debuted at a craft fair last fall and they were a hit!! I received a lot of compliments about them, so I decided to list a few in my online shop.  I’ve since had several custom order requests for keychains to be made from sentimental family neckties to be given as gifts to various family members. 

But nothing could prepare me for the next request I received.  I was recently asked to create 350 recycled necktie keychain/key fobs for an upcoming marketing campaign through Cumberland Marketing out of Kingsport, TN.  I was honored to be asked, yet worried if I could handle such an order of this magnitude!  I’m a one woman operation and being a full-time mom and part-time student unfortunately doesn’t leave much room for sewing.  But I took on the task anyway and hoped for the best!

This project was HUGE and I realized I wouldn't have enough remnants in stock to fit the order plus it would take a few weeks to get additional keychain hardware shipped in from my supplier.  Great thing for me Cumberland Marketing was offering to supply the ties AND the hardware needed!! WOOT!  (Thank You CM!!)

 A few days later a large box was delivered to my studio. Holy cannoli there were almost 100 ties in that box!! Where would I begin? Was I in over my head?

I figured the easiest direction to head off in was to sort them by color.  As I prepared each tie, I couldn’t help but remind myself what a significant opportunity this was for me and my business.  I was extremely grateful to have been given the chance to partake in this project.

And then I was informed special ties were being expedited for immediate processing to appear in a commercial shoot!! 

Something I made is going to be featured in a real live commercial?!?!?  I almost fainted, but I had a zillion key fobs to create so there was no time for drama!! I finished up the special order and awaited word as to when these oh-so-cute keychains would make their advertising debut.. (so far, no word yet!!) ... :-(

 

Hours turned into days, days turned into weeks and I started to feel the pressure of completing this enormous job in a timely manner.  But I somehow made it through despite taking care of my family and studying for finals and I’m just thrilled my sewing machine was able to hold up too!!

Recycled Necktie MINI Keychain Key Fobs

This entire process was challenging and overwhelming at times, but it was also a wonderful experience that strengthened my crafting ability and improved the belief in myself- that I can do anything (through Christ who gives me strength – Philippians 4:13)

 

If you have a favorite tie of your own or of a loved one that you’d like made into a keychain/key fob or if you would like to purchase one of my keychains, please visit my online store and I'd be happy to assist you!!

✿ Have a Beautiful Day! ✿

Recycled Necktie Wristlet - How Do You Make One?

"How do you make your necktie wristlets?  I really want to know!!"

"Can I have the instructions to make a tie wristlet?"
"Is there a tutorial or instructions available to make these wristlets?"
"Please email me your pattern. Thanks!"

The ORIGINAL Recycled Necktie Wristlet © 2010

I get asked ALL the time how I make my Recycled Necktie Wristlets. The sudden interest to obtain the instructions or pattern to my necktie wristlets has been overwhelming!!  It's amazing to see how popular an idea I came up with almost two years ago has become and I truly appreciate the positive response my wristlets have received!! 

Who would have thought I would create something that others would be so interested in??  It all started in 2010 when my sister asked me to make her something to carry her cell phone and ID in.  She liked the snap wallets I made, but felt they weren't enough.  She wanted a handle, something purse-like.  I did some research and found several different cell phone holders on the market.  Some were cute, some were not, but nothing really jumped out at me.  Until I found a coin pouch made from a necktie.  It wasn't made well, but it would serve as the inspiration I needed to begin creating.  

I have always loved the concept of taking things and turning them into something else, something different than its intended purpose.  So I began experimenting with men's neckties and even though I had NO IDEA what I was doing, I just kept at it.  After one month of breaking several machine needles and pulling lots of hair out in frustration, I finally created my very first necktie wristlet!!  It is now displayed in my studio, like a business's first $1, to remind me of where it all began!!

My FIRST necktie wristlet

I was so proud of myself for not giving up, yet I was scared to try and make another one.  I had no idea how I made the first one, so how could I duplicate what I just did?!  I gave it a go anyway and out came another necktie wristlet... well, purse this time.  I wasn't comfortable with how the wristlet-type handle was coming out so I tried a shoulder strap.  But the necktie wasn't long enough to make the purse hip length.  It was still cute and functional, so I listed it in my online store and was I ever shocked when it SOLD!!!!

I decided to go back to the wristlet-type handle again and my third attempt generated the original design of my Recycled Necktie Wristlet.  It sold within weeks and I knew I was onto something!! Even my picky-pants sister was thrilled with her wristlet so I decided to make one for myself!!  At first, I used mine for trips to Disneyland. It was super easy to carry our Annual Passports and camera around the park instead of a giant bag filled with things I didn't need, especially there!!  Now I use it to carry my cell phone, ID, and a credit card or two instead of that enormous bag I used to lug around everywhere!!  I don't think I'll ever go back to using one of those "luggage" bags again!

My wristlets were quickly becoming a hit, so I decided to enter one of them into NBC's Green Is Universal "ReUser's Guide to Green Living - ART OF ReUSE CONTEST.   Even though I was not a top 10 finalist, the attention my wristlets received since entering this contest has been mind-boggling!!

Green Is Universal - ReUse'rs Guide to Living - Art of ReUse
C O N T E S T    E N T R Y

I've since sold over 100 Recycled Necktie Wristlets and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to create a product that has become so successful! It's such a rewarding feeling to come up with something all your own and have others admire it.

I'm flattered to have had so many requests from people interested in how I make my wristlets, but I cannot provide a pattern or “how-to” instructions because I don't use them. I just make wristlets out of men's neckties, I can't explain how. It’s like Grandma baking in the kitchen. She doesn’t follow a recipe or specific measurements, she just throws in a dash of this and a pinch of that and out comes the most delicious ‘work of art’ you ever tasted!! So the best way to describe how I make my wristlets is this..... I find a vintage or gently used necktie, crank up my favorite radio station (95.9 The FISH), and let God do the rest!!!

I hope that my Recycled Necktie Wristlets inspire you to find other objects to upcycle and give new life to.  Tap into your creative juices and see what different items you can come up with,  that’s all I did! There are plenty of innovative and green products yet to be created. So what are you waiting for??!! Get crafting!!

If you're not sure where to start, I encourage you to look deep within yourself and discover what it is you do best and what makes you truly happy. Keep in mind the ability to craft isn’t for everyone as not everybody is wired to create. But we all have a natural talent; it's finding what comes naturally that’s the challenge!! And whatever it may be, I hope you get the opportunity to do it someday!!



TearfulTouch.etsy.com

If you would like to purchase one of my wristlets, or if you have a favorite tie of your own or of a loved one that you’d like made into a wristlet, please visit my online store at http://tearfultouch.etsy.com and I'd be happy to assist you!! 

Copyright© 2010 - 2012 Tearful Touch® All rights reserved.
The "Recycled Necktie Wristlet 2-Pocket Gadget Holder" is the Intellectual Property of Tearful Touch® and may not be copied, reproduced, displayed, distributed, or sold without express written permission. Product images used in social media communities and platforms is permitted under the Fair Use Doctrine, US Code Title 17, Chapter 1, § 107.

✿ Have a Beautiful Day! ✿