Friday, May 11, 2012

Button Swap and blog hop

Cindy Wimmer organized this button swap and blog hop - what a great idea. Who knew there were so many "button lovers" out there!

I am posting this a bit early, because:
1) I find the scheduled posting by blogger to be a bit unreliable, and
2) posting over the weekend will not be possible for me. Everyone else will post on Sunday May 13th.

Cindy partnered me with Lori Finney. Lori lives near Toronto and makes the most fabulous beaded beads!! We emailed a few times, and checked out each other's blog, to get to know one another.
I did not take pictures of the buttons I sent to Lori, but I will tell you that I made or altered some of the buttons. One button is an old Buffalo Indian Head U.S. nickle, domed and made into a button (since she lives near Buffalo, NY). One button is a small pants button that says "Toronto" on it - I couldn't believe my eyes when I found it in my stash! I embossed a couple brass button blanks on my Vintaj Big Kick to send her. I then, after "talking" to Lori, got the idea to put enamel on old buttons. So, I grabbed a magnet and started looking through my button bins. I have about 3 or 4 large fruitcake tins full of buttons. Surprisingly, there were fewer metal buttons than I thought. But I found a good handful, and enameled them! I was very happy with my new buttons, and sent Lori one of the best of the bunch! And, since she liked my enameled flowers, I sent her one, even though it's not a "button".

Lori sent me 4 buttons and also a non-button. I opened my package to discover this fabulous beaded bead, which I plan on hoarding for a little while.It's just too fabulous!!
Thank you Lori, for everything you sent to me! I hope you like everything I did with them. I can't wait to see what you did with the buttons I sent you.

The first button I used was the one I really thought I'd have trouble with when I first saw it. It's a ceramic parrot! So cute, but what to do? What to do? I decided I'd use it as a toggle, and use a ring or something to create my own clasp. But then, going through my recent Beadfest Spring bags, I saw the dyed Howlite flower beads, and knew I could do something with them. I had the yellow leather already, which was so soft and supple. It was so easy to work with. I decided to forget about using a ring, and just tied a knot to slip the parrot through the end of the bracelet. Here's the result!
Not my usual style - no Vintaj brass in sight - but that is the point of a "challenge", no?

Next up, I set my sights on the sweet ceramic heart button. It is a pinky lavender color. Quite by coincidence, I just bought some new sari silk that had the same color in it. Throw in an enameled bead made by "moi", and it's a simple necklace. At first I tied a knot at the back. But, I don't like wearing long necklaces. I know some people do, but I don't. I remembered a tutorial I found somewhere about making a wire coil to use as a sliding clasp. I was all set to start coiling some wire when I found the small enameled tubes I'd made. They are some sort of copper doo-dads from the electrical dept at Lowes that I discovered one day!! So, I slipped both ends of the silk through one bead for the slide, and tied one to each end as stoppers. Now, the necklace can be worn any length you want!

I also wire wrapped a little piece of silk in between the button and the bead....
The third button is a beautiful (reproduction?) (Czech?) glass button. I have seen (and bought) similar ones at various bead shows. My photography fails to capture the true color. It's blue, but has pink iridescence, and gold highlights. OMG - so pretty! In preparation for the button swap, I recently bought a book, all about button jewelry. And in the book, the author shows a button centered on a doughnut, like stone or glass. I'm not sure how the necklaces she made work in real life, but mine kept flipping around to the back! So, I ended up gluing this button to a square Howlite "doughnut", with a Vintaj filigree ring. Then once the glue dried, I made different stations, in various blues. I use some Howlite beads that match the square, and more of my enameled beads (and some of Barbara Lewis' enameled beads). Let's have a look!


 And, of course, we need earrings to match!!! (I made the little beads at the top of the earrings different colors on purpose, in case someone noticed that!) I used both colors in the necklace, along with the little cloisonne beads.
And last, but certainly not least, there was a tiny little wooden birdhouse (button). And while I love this button, it took me a couple days to develop a plan.... Jade beads (that are probably older than me!) and some Chinese lampwork (again, from Beadfest Spring). I glued the birdhouse to a Vintaj ring, then attached it to a Vintaj branch. Made a little wire nest with jade "eggs". And hung a bird from the bottom.
After the sun went down, I noticed I just threw the earrings in the middle - sorry about that. I was racing to snap these last photos, and I did not "arrange" the earrings! And I'm too lazy to clone them out of the picture.

Great idea Cindy!! I had fun, and I was challenged!! And Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there!
Enjoy hopping everyone! I can't wait to see what everyone made with their buttons!
Here's the list of the other participants:
Alice Peterson  and Kim Bender
Pam Ferarri and Stefanie Teufel (will share their reveal on a later date)
Stefanie Teufel and Pam Ferarri (will share their reveal on a later date)

29 comments:

  1. WOW! Cynthia these are adorable I am very impressed you used all your buttons... Every piece is very unique I think my favorite is the birdhouse necklace but I do love that parrot button.

    Have a great weekend,
    Theresa

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  2. Hi Cynthia,
    Wow you did a great job creating with your buttons. I love the parrot button with the Howlite flowers they were meant to go together. The silk was the perfect match for the heart button also. It is funny how you purchased those items and then Lori sent you the buttons to match. My favorite is the necklace you made with the Czech glass button it is beautiful! The birdhouse necklace is cute and whimsical.
    Therese

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  3. What fabulous buttons you received! I love how you showcased each one front and center. My favorite piece is that colorful bracelet with the parrot button toggle! Clever!

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  4. WOW! fabulous collection of jewelry from the buttons you were sent!

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  5. OhMyGoodness. . .I am absolutely SMITTEN with everything you made! That parrot bracelet is so bright and fun, perfect for summer. The purple necklace is beautiful. You are a genius with your adjustable length solution! The blue necklace is really stunning. And that last necklace has so much to admire about it. Oddly enough I received a house button too and was stumped as to what to do with it. One of my solutions had it attached to a metal piece on the back as well. I don't think mine would have turned out as cool as yours though. There are so many neat accents and bits to yours. It's fabulous! Wonderful job overall. Oh! And I'd be hoarding that beaded button too! ;)

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  6. so impressed with your collection! you used all your beads, and each one has a personality all its own - amazing. I am so taken with the slide necklace, what a great solution! would love to check out your tutorial

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  7. Double WOW you've been busy! Lovely pieces - love all the color but the Last maybe my favorite! What a sweet little birdhouse!

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  8. Blown away! I wish I had your talent for seeing designs like this. I think my favorite is the bird.

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  9. Ohhh, so beautiful. The birdhouse is a wonderful suprise. Love this swap.

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  10. I'm totally blown away by your creativity. I agree, all the parrot needed was the leather. And then I saw the gorgeous purple necklace, with those enameled tubes, and I drooled all over my keyboard. After cleaning that up, then I get to your last piece of creative genius, and choked laughing about the earring comment! Thanks for sharing your skills!!

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  11. Oh my I loved them all but the purple had me!! Love the use of hardware!! You have created some amazing pieces!!!

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  12. Wow, look at all your pieces! I especially love the silk and heart...so simple, yet so large all at the same time!

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  13. I love each and every piece that you created! The beaded bead is drool worthy for sure! You used so many different techniques in your designs. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  14. Fantastic creations! That bracelet is so fun and tropical...and the last necklace is a major stunner. I love your enameled beads, too. I really enjoy your style. Adding this blog to my RSS reader so I can see what you'll come up with next!

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  15. Yeah, I love all of these pieces! I can't figure out which I like the most, they're all just incredible!

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  16. I am in awe of people who make beaded beads. They are so lovely and mysterious. Where do they begin and end? I love all the different styles and moods you achieved. I especially like the blue one and the house piece. Enjoy the day. Erin

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  17. What fun and beautiful buttons to work with! All of your designs are just gorgeous, and a perfect setting for the personality of each. Don't know if I could pick a favorite! :)

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  18. You did such a great job! I love all of the designs but I am especially partial to the one with the little house! This was such a fun button swap and I love seeing everyone's design!

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  19. You crack me up! I think that the earrings in the middle of the necklace look just fine and if you never said anything I would never be the wiser! You did a great job with all of these buttons! That blue necklace is so pretty and I absolutely LOVE the parrot bracelet!

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  20. They are great pieces, but I especially like the necklace with the little birdhouse button. What a nice necklace.

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  21. Cynthia, you must have been on the most amazing creating streak leading up to this hop because you sure created the most original designs - and several of them!! I was lucky to just finish the one necklace! ;-) I wish we had met up at Bead Fest in the Spring - I was there too!
    The way you incorporated the parrot button in to the colorful floral bracelet is just so perfect and whimsical. I absolutely love it!
    And the sari ribbon mixed with the heart button is so pretty - I just love those colors. Your blue necklace inspired by the button book is another pretty piece - and wow, what a pretty button in the center! I wonder if I have that particular book too...
    I think my favorite just might be your final necklace with the wire nest and the house focal - the addition of the bird is the perfect accent....the whole necklace is so beautifully composed! And like you, I was racing to take pictures as the sun was going down as well...I think I took my last shots around 6:45 or later! :-)

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  22. All of your designs turned out great! I love how you used the parrot button and the blue necklace is so beautiful.

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  23. I love, love, love them. I am a purple freak so the purple one just jumped at me!!! Great job!

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  24. I love what you did with the buttons. the bracelet with all the colors and the bird is too sweet. Great job!

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  25. Wow, what lovely items you made for this swap/challenge/hop! I love the first one, with the parrot-- such bright colors!-- and the blue necklace is a truly special item.

    Thank you for sharing with all of us <3

    *~* Julia *~* http://beautifullywhimsical.blogspot.com *~*

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  26. Each design completely different and perfect for each button - beautiful pieces!! Your copper doo-dads idea - genius!

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  27. All of your pieces are so unique and beautiful. Where to begin! The parrot bracelet is so colorful and fun. A great summer piece. In the pinky lavender necklace, I love your solution to the adjustability by enameling some copper tubing. And the bead you enameled is spectacular, too. I enamel, too! I have several blog posts about enameling and my workshops with Barbara. Did you take a workshop with her?

    The necklace with the Czech button is spectacular and you certainly did justice to that gorgeous button. And the birdhouse necklace, again, just fantastic.

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  28. Well, for Pete's sakes! Sorry, Cynthia, I could have SWORN I left a comment on your blog post...but I'm not seeing it :-(
    I am so thrilled with what you did with my button stash for you!! I'm glad you are enjoying them, and I am certainly thrilled with the buttons you sent me! Thnks for being a great partner!

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  29. PS I meant to mention...I have those same "copper doo-dads" from Lowes LOL...I didn't know what to do with them either, but they look stupendous enamelled! Very cool!!

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Thanks so much for leaving me a comment!