“Little Angels” Jewelled Denim Pocket Purses

by Tamara Summers.
(Sarnia, Ontario, Canada)

Earlier this summer I picked up a couple of pairs of jeans at a garage sale. I didn’t bother asking to go in to try them on. When I got home, I found that they were a little low in the rise for my taste, but I really liked how the legs fit. Eventually out came the scissors. 🙂 I made long leg warmers out of the legs, so was left with the tops of the jeans. Hmmm… I started dissecting the denim shorts.

“Little Green Angel” Jewelled Pocket Purse

I became drawn to the pockets, and decided to try making some little pocket purses. Technically these aren’t jewellery, but the same technique is used. The little pockets became pendants for me to design with, and then attach a “necklace” to.

A couple of years ago I had purchased a variety of little dollies for my sale table. I had attached ribbon to them to be worn by little girls as necklaces. They were very popular, but I still had two left, a green one and a blue one, and I decided that they would be cute on my little pockets. The size of the pockets easily lent itself to making purses for little girls.

I just built from there. I wanted to add more lace, and found some lace appliques that I bought years ago at a craft store. The appliques were meant to decorate jeans, so I thought it was an appropriate project for them. As I cut them apart, I realized they easily created angel wings, so my little dollies became little angels. 🙂

I had fun adding buttons, paper flowers, glass seed beads, pearls and sequins, until I felt my little pocket “pendants” were finished.

“Little Blue Angel” Jewelled Pocket Purse

I had some pale blue pearls that I thought were perfect for the handle of the blue purse. I went with white for the green one. For the backs, I simple added a thin ribbon along the cut edge.

I really enjoyed making these little purses for little girls. I’m hoping to make quite a few more for children.

Tamara Summers
Pink Pearls and Potpourri on Etsy