Four-Strand Kantha Bead Bib Necklace

$54.00

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Four strands of fabric-wrapped beads gather into a bib at the collarbone, each sphere printed differently — teal stripes beside coral florals beside cream, ochre and magenta — so no two beads sit alike.

Material: Recycled Kantha textile over wood, gold-plated brass
Color: Multicolor
Length: 16 in shortest strand
Chain: Gold-plated brass
Origin: India
Extender: 3 in

The strands graduate from small rosary-linked beads at the back to a dense cluster of larger spheres at the front, weighting the composition low on the neckline. Volume without heft — the scale reads bold, the wear stays soft.

Details

Four-strand layered design
Graduated bead sizes
Adjustable 3 in extender
Gold-plated brass hardware
No two alike

Every bead is wrapped from a different strip of recycled kantha cloth, so color placement and pattern shift from one necklace to the next. Yours won't match the sample exactly.

The Story

Kantha begins as a running stitch used across Bengal to layer worn cotton saris and dhotis into quilts and covers. Rather than discard softened cloth, women stitched several layers together, and over generations the plain stitch was elaborated into pattern — giving old fabric a second, sturdier life. Here that same instinct shows up differently: strips of kantha cloth are wrapped tight around wood bead cores, so every sphere still carries a trace of print, border or stripe from the sari it used to be.

Because the source cloth is reclaimed rather than woven to order, no two strips are identical. That is why the beads read as a scrapbook of color and pattern rather than a matched set — a direct outcome of the upcycling process, not a decorative effect layered on top.

Each bead is wrapped by hand around its wood core, the fabric pulled taut and secured so the pattern sits smoothly across the curve. Once dry, the beads are sorted by size and color, then hand-linked in graduated order onto gold-plated brass chain to build the four strands. Matching them into a balanced composition is a judgment call made bead by bead.

Craft & Care

Technique: Recycled Kantha textile beadwork

Wipe the beads with a dry cloth and keep the necklace away from water and perfume. Store flat or hanging so the fabric holds its shape.

Questions

Will my necklace look exactly like the one in the photo?

No. Each bead is hand-wrapped from a different strip of recycled kantha, so the mix of color and pattern you receive will be its own arrangement rather than an exact match to the sample.

What is Kantha fabric?

Kantha refers to layered, hand-stitched cotton cloth traditionally made in Bengal by reusing worn saris and dhotis. Here, that same recycled textile is wrapped around wood beads instead of stitched into a quilt.

How long is it, and is it adjustable?

The shortest of the four strands measures 16 in, with a 3 in extender chain for a little adjustment at the clasp.

Is it heavy to wear?

The beads are built on lightweight wood cores, so the piece wears comfortably despite its bold, layered scale.

How do I clean and store it?

Wipe the beads with a dry cloth and keep them away from water and perfume. Store flat or hanging so the fabric-wrapped beads keep their shape.