Day 6 : Polyphemus

Day 6 : Polyphemus

Today's button is named for Homer's Cyclops. A bit unusual I know!

I've had some eye shaped jewellery findings for quite some time, purchased solely with the idea of making eye buttons. I've still got at least another three ideas of how to use these in different ways, but this time I decided on using the zwirnknopfe techniques of wrapping.

The iris is an even smaller ring, again wrapped using the zwirnknopfe method. It is the attached to the centre of the eye shaped ring, which in turn is added to the centre of an acrylic ring. I used perle cotton no 12 for this, with the exception of the black, which is a 20/3 lace thread.

The button is 40mm / 1 1½" / 60L

Day 5 : Beginnings

Day 5 : Beginnings

This button has been inspired by a completely different challenge. For those of you who has kept up with my new 'regular' blog, I spent a bit of time over the holidays working on mini books for the Tando Creative 366 challenge. While I don't expect to complete that challenge, I am enjoying dipping in and out. Anyway, the word prompt for that challenge on the 1st was "Beginnings" so I drew a seedling. And as I drew I thought, this could make a button...

The ground is a some wonderful thick wool that's been in my stash for years - left over from a commission to cover buttons for a 17th century coat. The wool is so thick, there's no need for a button mould. Yes, I really do keep the smallest pieces of nice stuff!

To this I've sewn a small "seed" made of cotton and stuffed with cotton, decorated with a cotton wrapped stem, and a wired, embroidered leaf. The green cotton for both stem and leaf is perle no 12. This was worked separately, as in stumpwork, and then attached, which means I could give the little extra curl on the leaf.

The button (measured along longest side) is 25mm /   1" /  40L

It is also quite a thick button - best suited for a coat I think. Or maybe a bag.... 

Day 4 : Emblem

Day 4 : Emblem

This button is inspired by an antique button that was made of metal and I think, pressed horn. The original button mimics one made of fabric or thread, and I like to collect images of these. In fact, I have started getting a few for my collection too... (shhh!). I figure that many, originally, would have been inspired by thread buttons. They are often changed in a way that cannot be made using thread or fabric, but they do serve as an excellent source of inspiration. 

Of course, mine ended up looking very little like the original, as it served as inspiration, not a copy. One day I'll have to try an actual copy.

Materials used - 39mm Acrylic ring, cotton perle thread from my stash. Label is missing, I think it is DMC, size 12. I chose to work this in a single colour to emphasize the difference in textures, but it could work equally well changing colours for each section I think,

Finished size: 40mm / 1 ⁹⁄₁₆" / 60L