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 336 : Snug

 

Day 336 : Snug

A cosy little button today! Another plushwork button, with the addition of beads. There are also beads around the edge that you can't see. I'm enjoying playing with plushwork - we are working on a little something for December - and have a few ideas that I hope will become quite couture looking.

I've received a fantastic snuggly hug in the post today - a patchwork quilt made by my Mom. It is perfect and will definitely keep away the chill. I'll pop a picture on Facebook later :)

Day 330 : Jack Frost

 

Day 330 : Jack Frost

Last night it turned really cold - it is time for us to get out the other blankets! I was honestly freezing all night and am currently snuggled in 3 layers plus my dressing gown. I think that probably dictated the colours.

I really should get more expensive beads (these are not). The sizes would be consistent, so designs like would be more even when finished. I still like it though, and reckon it would look just as nice using reds and oranges to be a sparkly sun!

Day 319 : Spangled

Day 319 : Spangled

I'm noticing a little bit of sparkle showing up just lately. Perhaps because it is so dreary outside? A woven star as the base worked in stripes and a twist of threads which isn't as obvious as I thought it would be. Will need to work on that idea a little more. The corners are needle woven to cover them over. I have cheated and glued the bead in place! Of course if a button to be used it would need to be sewn on. 

Still working working all day! Getting there. I hope you are all having a good weekend so far.

 

Day 307 : Chrysalis

 

Day 307 : Chrysalis

I really have no idea why this button made my think of a chrysalis, but it did, so I found a suitable bit of card for the tag ;)

This is a doodle button really - the base a turk's head knot, then doodled with thread and beads. It is quite large, and I have placed it on the card slightly sideways so that you don't just see the top. The top is the bit with 4 beads nestled together. 

I've made the knot using our new knotting tools, launching later this month. Killing two birds and all that, as I need show samples - so expect a lot of buttons this week to incorporate products in one way or another!

Size (ball ): 20mm / 3⁄4" / 30L

Day 251 : Starred

 

Day 251 : Starred

Today's button made me think of a sheriff's badge - despite the fact that this has 6 points and is beaded! Perhaps it is simply that it reminds me of some of the beaded buttons in my collection - a few of which are said to be Navajo or Indian. Who knows if they are really. 

That's one of the issue of textile button collecting. Most of the time you really have no idea where they were made, and in many cases no idea when. 

Good job I only collect for the pretties.. 

Size : 30mm / 1 3⁄16" / 48L

Day 244 : Dew

 

Day 244 : Dew

Today's button is another inspired by one of my vintage buttons. I've quite a variety of vintage soutache buttons, and nearly all are black. Usually meant for coats, so even if not black they will be a dark brown, or sometimes a cream. Although many are encased in button forms (pressed together with a little machine), most can still usually be made using rings. I had a bit of a "moment" how I could make the centre quickly - and this worked. Yay! The addition of the beads was an after thought - I remembered some that matched perfectly. So, like little dew drops in grass...

No special outing or anything for Bank Holiday Monday for us. Did manage to do some housework though, haha. 

Size: 34mm / 1 3⁄8" / 52L

Day 239 : Caught

 

Day 239 : Caught

A bit of a mix today. This button is an embellished death's head. I have added a small piece of net that I started (but decided the colour wasn't right for the project) and added the edge. Which looked quite nice. I thought about adding a paper shape under the net, but remembered this cabochon. Just glass (well, let's hope it isn't a real opal... ) found in the bottom of a vintage box. It just fit. I don't think the photo does this justice really. 

Many thanks to everyone who was able to tune in today. My bright and early 5.30 start has worn me out though. 

Size: 25mm / 1" / 40L

Day 208 : Princess

Day 208 : Princess

Today's button is a variation on my "Kelly" button from my Fabric Buttons Book. In fact, I've even used the same fabric for the outer ring. The centre was made as in the book, and then I have stitched a little beaded roundel (made separately) to the centre. The centre has quite a cushion, so stands a little proud, and of course that isn't obvious in this image. You could just as easily stitch the beads into place right onto the centre.

The first button was named Kelly as it was inspired by 1950s buttons - and so named for Grace Kelly. This has a bit of bling, perfect for the later princess.

Size : 22 mm / 7⁄8" / 36L

Day 197 : Orbit

Day 197 : Orbit

I really like today's button. Even though it is quite simple. I was going to follow another old pattern, but my thread was a little too thick for the one I wanted to do and I really didn't want a massive button!

Instead, I just made it up as I went. 

The beads are some really old ones that I'm not even sure where they came from. But I love the colour so it is nice to have put them to good use.

And on the plus side - I haven't yet lost the temporary glasses lol!

Size : 35mm / 1 3⁄8" / 56"

Day 194 : Bubbles

Day 194 : Bubbles

A little different today - using stamps and ink as well as some wrapping and as you can see, beads. Another picture where you can't see all of the colours, as there is some very pale yellow distress ink on the fabric that my daylight lamp has just blown out.

Ah, the sun came out today! Thank goodness - feeling a bit more like the right time of year.  We went for a nice long walk today, really needed it. 

I hope you all had a good day too.

Size: 30mm / 1 1⁄4" / 48L 

Day 168 : Gyre

Day 168 : Gyre .

A tale of two buttons.... haha. So, a basic zwirnknopfe button, with a little bird's eye button at the centre. All of the beads were added as embellishment afterwards.  I quite like this one. The bird's eye adds just a little bit of interest. 

I guess this makes the "not a Dorset button" a Dorset button?

Size (excluding edge beads): 27mm / 1 1⁄16" / 42L 

Day 143 : One Sort

Day 143 : One Sort

Well, it does rather resemble one, doesn't it! Although this is round, not flat. And the wrong colour... Not quite what I had in mind, but there was a lot of work in this as I've worked a turks head first, then added the bead in line with the knot. 

Apparently, the various sweets don't have official names. What do you call them?

All materials from my stash today - seed beads, some gimp and a bead.

Size : 11mm / 5⁄8" / 26L

I really fancy some liquorice now... ;)

Day 137 : Reef

Day 137 : Reef

Today's button just made me think of a coral reef. I know it doesn't really look like one but...

It is made using a small piece of ribbon woven on our Little Loom as part of a demo. The first part was a plain weave, then there is a small section of tubular weave. I threaded some wire through the tubular weave to coil it and form the base of the button, and gathered one side of the plain weave for the outer section.

The lovely bead in the centre is handmade - part of a set I bought originally to make a medieval style paternoster, and the bead is a beautiful coral colour. The bead is from Tillerman Beads - they specialise in historical replicas - and their beads are quite wonderful.

If you'd like to know more about ribbon weaving (and using our tape looms) why not head over to the YouTube channel - I've got a playlist with shorts, including tubular weaving. 

You'll find it here

Size : (roughly!) 23mm / nearly 1" / 36L

Day 48: Fairy Cup

Day 48: Fairy Cup

Today's button uses a rather unusual item to make the cup. They were sold as hair tie knot covers (I honestly can't remember how they were described, but that was the recommended use) and so are a little cup with a hole. That's why they are so small. I do have a [bad] habit of buying unusual items that might work for button making, as I'm sure you can imagine! Of course, if you happen to have any old bobble with this on, you could upcycle... Normally I would satin wrap this and use the other way around, but instead I decided to cover with a blanket stitch and fill with little beads.

Size: 10mm / 3⁄8" / 16L

Day 16 : Freeze

Day 16 : Freeze

I am part of a button group that has a weekly theme - this week's is "winter". So, here is my winter inspired button.

I have created this on a prototype for some new moulds that we are developing. There are a few things to tweak, but overall it is a good first design. It is great fun trying to work out new designs for button moulds, and Mark has cut me quite a few to play around with. Of course, when they have been tested, they will be available on our website.

I have used a No 12 perle and seed beeds 

Size: 25mm / 1" / 40L