Button Magic

In January I talked a little about buttons and recently I joined Button Floozies. I have liked button jewellery ever since I went to creative stitches in one year. So a couple of weeks ago ordered a button necklace kit from the Button Company.

The above picture shows what it should look like, hopefully!

So I set everything out on my favourite board which I set on my lap. There are loads of buttons of different sizes.

The instructions started by saying...

'First up, don't panic. This necklace is not as hard as it looks! Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy making and wearing this unique piece of jewellery.'

I then sorted out the buttons into sizes, in the centre of the board is part of the clasp. I then unraveled the nylon thread and attached it to one half of the clasp.

I then needed to put the buttons into an arrangement to check the order and the possible final length of the necklace. I decided to use a needle to put the nylon through the buttons as I soon got in a bit of a of a pickle trying to thread a double string of nylon evenly through them. Following the instructions I got started and by following them the necklace grew surprisingly quickly.
Within an hour I had a finished necklace.

The hardest part was trying to attach the other end which kept slipping and sliding all over the place. I got it in the right place in the end. The above picture is what I ended up with. I did take out a few of the buttons otherwise it would have been too long. So I am going to see if I can make a bracelet to match.

I layered the three buttons in the centre front. They are also the ones which are decorated too to give a focal point.

The clasp is very ornate which I had not expected and is only a hook and loop so I shall have to be careful wearing this.

Once I had finished it, I was intrigued by the colour and texture of the BACK of the mother of pearl buttons. The colour is so different, I almost have two necklaces for the price of one.

This is a view of the back of the necklace. I intend wearing this necklace to work on Monday. For some time I have been singing the praises of buttons and their uses. Lets see what is said about this, if anything. I like necklaces, just like bags, I perhaps have too many of them

I have really enjoyed making this necklace and I would like to make another. There are other kits on the Button Company website.

What do you think? Have you ever made something like this? I would like to see what this style would look like with more irregular multi-coloured buttons. Could be fun.

Take care, back tomorrow.

xx

Beautiful Buttons....

I have recently joined The Button Floozies and if you love, adore or covet buttons you might like to go and take a look.

I have been promoting the use of buttons with my students and I think that what puts them off using buttons is the fact that they have to be sewn on individually! I am gradually winning them around and even though they can see that buttons can be found on all sorts of items, such as accessories, clothes etc as a form of embellishment the 'ok I will give it a go' is not quite there. So I am going to try another tactic. I am going to make something else using buttons!

Button Company is an on-line shop that I first saw at creative stitches a few years ago and I have always loved their button necklaces. At the time I decided to buy this button bracelet kit which I have worn many times.

They are not cheap but I have not done or been anywhere since New Year and it will keep me busy making it so I have been a naughty girl and ordered this...

Picture of necklace @ Button Company.

The button Company also have a blog link which you might like to have a look at too. So my kit will probably get here about Wednesday or Thursday which will give me time to finish off a couple of other items.

January has been a surprisingly good month for 'firsts'. The chance to have one of my tutorials in a calender, changes to my Etsy shop, joining other groups such as Twitter. Then last weekend I received a commission enquiry via Etsy Convo and I have made a start on it tonight. I am really chuffed with this as it is for a lady in America, we have sent each other several emails and I love making for a specific need. Fantastic. I am saying no more until it is finished and hopefully I can blog about it once it has safely arrived in America. It is all very exciting!

Well better go Ballet lesson again tomorrow.

xx