New year - different blog

Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for following this blog. I'm going to continue to keep a regular blog over at my Gina-B Silkworks Blog and would love it if you will join me. 

Day 366 : Goodbye 2020

 

Day 366 : Goodbye 2020

Here we are. The last day of a year that none of us expected this time last year. 

So many people congratulated me yesterday for finishing (thank you!) but none remembered that 2020 is a leap year. So that extra day had a button, and we need one today.

In my 2016 challenge, the last button reflected on how time flies. This year - well, I know that I am not the only one happy to see the back of what has seemed a very long year. I really do not feel that it flew by at all.

Thank you - every one of you!

Thanks to our customers - your support during these trying times has been super appreciated - and kept us motivated. And thanks to our friends - those of you who has followed along and liked, commented and shared.

Please, stay safe tonight - and let's have a terrific 2021, all of us.

Day 365 : Gorl

 

Day 365 : Gorl

Today's button has a name that reflects the technique used. German button makers call this "Gorl" and it seems to have no translation. They are currently very popular in one of the German button making groups I am in, and there have been some wonderful examples. 

The technique involves creating a gimp thread 'on the fly', in other words, as the pattern is worked. There are a few different ways to do this, and I actually think it depends more on the design which method is used, rather then there being a right or wrong way, if that makes sense. It is a technique illustrated in Diderot (the button designs, not the actual process), but it is so very time consuming that I don't think many survive - perhaps because there weren't that many made! I have seen goldwork ones on museum pieces, and I have just received a really special button for Christmas that I am fairly certain uses this technique (I need more study time!) but they aren't really seen too often.

I created a couple in my 2016 challenge, but this is probably the finest thread I've used to date. I'll add a link to the others below.

Well, we are about to go into Tier 4 lockdown for our area, and the clutch failed in the car today. One of those days! 

Day 52 -2016 / Day 60 - 2016