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

Day 364 : Regal

 

Day 364 : Regal

Today's button is a bit of gold embroidery on velvet. A small piece of silk velvet that I dyed with madder many, many years ago. It is such a perfect colour for gold threads. It is another one of those small pieces that you hold on to - like a paper crafter and their Graphic 45 - but really, it should be used. I am going to try to use more of these bits next year in my projects. 

Only two more days! Gosh. 

Day 363 : Ganache

 

Day 363 : Ganache

Today's button is to remind you all of all of the chocolates eaten over the holidays! haha. 

So, today was an Bank Holiday, so technically back to work tomorrow. We will be going in to check on things and get some orders out, and then the rest of the week it is about paperwork. But at a more leisurely pace than usual, seeing as we technically are closed until next week! 

I hope that you are all keeping well.

Day 362 : Byzantine

 

Day 362 : Byzantine

More beads and bling again today. It is nice to spend a little more time and thread the beads. Although for some reason my threads all wanted to tangle today. Very frustrating.

I hope that last night's storm wasn't too bad for any of you. Boy did that wind howl! I thought for sure we'd have some damage. But, thank goodness, nothing bar a few light branches broken.

Otherwise, today has been a bit of a cheese and wine sort of day. I hope you are all having a good day.

Day 361 : Titania

 

Day 361 : Titania

A little more sparkle today. Well, if you can't sparkle in a holiday week, when can you? 

I would like to say that I have had a really productive day, but I slept in, walked Toby, looked through the new books (lovely) and sorted some button moulds. So a really lazy day. And I feel much better for it! I hope that you are all well. 

Day 360 : Cheers!

Day 360 : Cheers!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Today's button is a bottle cap button. But, instead of the elaborate creations by my friend Yoko, mine uses a cap from a mini bottle!

Baileys to be precise. A heck of a lot of Brits love a Baileys at Christmas! So I think that the cap, and gold thread and lots of sparkly mini spangles - not real gold - suit a celebration such at Christmas.

I know it has been a very different Christmas this year for so very many. But I do hope that, despite everything, you have had a good one. 

xxx

 

Day 359 : Christmas Spider

 

Day 359 : Christmas Spider

A decorated branch of a Christmas tree tonight, with tinsel and a spider for today.

Why? A button collector shared the following lovely story, along with a button, in one of the button groups I am in. I shared the story in our Facebook group, and suggested that those who wanted to make a button based on the story for Christmas Eve.

And my goodness, we have had some wonderful buttons shared by members! So exciting seeing what they create. 

I know that it is an odd one this year - but I really do hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas. 

xxx

There are many wonderful legends and stories connected with the Christmas season. This tale about the Christmas spider originated in eastern Europe. Even if you don’t normally like spiders, you may enjoy this story. 

The day before Christmas, the mother of a poor family made a big effort to decorate and clean her house ready to be blessed by the Christmas Angel. When she began to dust and clean, the spiders who lived in the house scurried away to hide in the attic. 

Father brought a beautiful tree into the house and the family decorated it with their lovingly made ornaments. After the family had gone to bed, the spiders came out of hiding to see what all the fuss was about. They were delighted with the beautiful tree and ran up and down it, through the branches, admiring all the ornaments. 

The tree was soon wrapped with strands of shimmering spider silk! 

In the morning, the Christmas Angel came to bless the house. He saw the webs and knew that the Mother would be dismayed. So he touched the spider webs and they immediately began to glisten and glimmer and turn to sparkling garlands of gold and silver. 

When the family gathered around the tree, they exclaimed that it had never looked so lovely! It was a Christmas miracle. 

Since then, it has been traditional to decorate the tree with garlands and tinsel. And in many countries, a spider ornament graces the branches of the tree.

(from Marsha Cassada)

Day 358 : Christmas Star

 

Day 358 : Christmas Star

Yes, I am much happier with this one. Quite different than the first - and second - version!

The second I worked last night. It is actually quite pretty, but quite ordinary really and looked rather like any Victorian button, so it is sitting on my table.

This one though - much better. I could have worked it the other way around, so the trees pointed outwards which would have made it more similar to the previous version, but it is much tidier this way.

So, a busy day trying to get my home decent. I know that no one is visiting, but it still looks nice enough - except for the table in my workroom. I didn't quite finish that room. My job for the morning. 

Day 357 : Great Conjunction

 

Day 357 : Great Conjunction

Yes, really, this should have been the button for yesterday. But, as always happens when something terrific goes on in the night sky - it is cloudy! So, I have had to enjoy pictures from other parts of the world marking this event. And, if the skies clear, I may still see something - after all, they aren't going to be too far apart too soon I'm sure!

We've worked at record speed and all of the orders are out. Tired is an understatement. We should really have still been packing tomorrow. Very pleased with ourselves though! I hope you have all had s good day.

Day 356 : Still Pool

 

Day 356 : Still Pool

Only ten days to go. Ten more buttons. I better make them good!

Today's button uses a mirror back, which I used a rust formula on. Offhand I can't remember which company's kit - I did it a while ago and the mirror has sat in my box waiting to become something. 

As it is the winter solstice, I found myself thinking I could do with re-reading (or listening to) my favourite book, The Mists of Avalon. It is a bit of a comfort book, and I now have the audio book (which to me, the narrator is perfect) and so I think that will be my holiday listening while I work on a project I've not had time for.

Anyway, the still pool. To gaze into and see the reflection of truth. 

Please keep well and safe everyone. 

Day 355 : Christmas Trees

 

Day 355 : Christmas Trees

Hmmm. The idea was quite good - but this did not go well. The texture of the foil didn't work, the knots for lights too big, the tree stems hard to see - but I like the idea. Might have to try a version in finer threads to see if I can make it work better.

I could have started again and been a bit late posting tonight. But I thought that it might be a good opportunity to talk about the not-so-good creations. It doesn't always work, that's the way it goes. Sometimes you learn that it will never work (so it is probably best to cut off the threads and reuse the mould 😉 ) and sometimes you can treat it as a 'sketch'. Something to inspire you to create again, better, and learning from what didn't work. 

Onwards to Monday! 

Day 354 : Chained

 

Day 354 : Chained

So, is cahined a word? Because that's what my fingers kept typing. I very nearly went with it as a title, haha.

Thanks for a lovely show everyone. Thought for sure it would be rotten, we had an issue with the hot water last night - sorted, no problem. Except the timer is set for later than we had to get up today. And after half an hour waiting, it was still really cold as the tank was empty - so yours truly got a quick cold shower in order to be tidy and have clean hair!

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Day 353 : Square Dance

 

Day 253 : Square Dance

A doodle button with only a little bit of doodle. I did actually take out doodles before I came up with something I am happy with :) (reading that back it sounds as though i am trying to write a tongue twister!)

Still working away - this evening it will be about making sure that the show samples are all neat and tidy - nothing crushed - and nothing missing! I do usually forget something though. I have boxes to keep related show samples, but some shows have more samples then others, and I try to mix things up by taking different items along. Anne and Chris (and Gillian when she was on the team) make such lovely items using the kits, they do really need to be seen.

And after that - well I will do my nails and find some tinsel to cover the grey that I haven't been able to get sorted!

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend - and do please tune in to the show tomorrow morning on Hochanda!

Day 352 : Cheery

 

Day 352 : Cheery

A very colourful button today! And a time-consuming doodle button this time. Still I enjoyed working it. Not so cheerful now though, having internet browser issues. Damn Chrome. Fix yourself will you? How many reports can a person send? :)

Right, back to work!

Day 351 : Scribble

 

Day 351 : Scribble

A quick and simple button today - I am behind with my Christmas cards and so much else! All the overseas ones should have been out today... oh dear. I doubt they'll get posted until next week haha. A bit of an issue having a show this late in December - we are behind with everyday stuff.

I hope that you are all having a good week though!

xxx

Day 350 : Catherine Wheel II

Day 350 : Catherine Wheel II

Another Dorset technique button. I was going to work a flower, and well, as buttons have a tendency to do, it decided it did not want to be a flower! I am pleased with this one, I have to say. Took forever mind - my arthritis is not happy at the moment and it is a wee bit hard to hold a needle. 

Number two because I have an entirely different button named Catherine Wheel in one of my DVDs. I am trying to to make too many repeats name-wise. 

 

Day 349 : Triskele II

 

Day 349 : Triskele II

Today's button is a variation of my Triskele button from my last One Button a Day challenge in 2016. A different direction and method of working - and of course the ring! I had forgotten I had these and came across them last night while looking for something entirely different, as you do. One of my on-line students recently worked a lovely Triskele and posted it to the Facebook group - it reminded my how much I like working them, and it does rather fit nicely on the triangular shape. 

I hope that your Monday is better than mine has been!

:)

Day 348 : Swirl

 

Day 348 : Swirl

I am pleased with this - and have a couple of other ideas based on it too now. I like it when that happens. I used the Dorset technique of covering the ring first, so this is a Dorset button. There's a lot of interest lately again in the buttons, and I am sure that many call all buttons made of thread Dorsets - I know that I am now going to have to use the hastag #dorsetbuttons as that is what people look for when they want to see any of these buttons on social media (or they might miss mine!). 

If you happen to have stumbled over here looking for Dorset buttons, perhaps my little blog post about the differences may help you to see that there are differences, and not all thread buttons are Dorset buttons - https://www.ginabsilkworks.blog/2020/02/dorset-button-not-dorset-button.html