Day 241 : Eye, eye!

 

Day 241 : Eye, eye!

Just fancied doing some eyelets! Lots of people really dislike them, I rather like working them. Well, when they "work". Sometimes they do go horribly wrong. 

I do hope the weather improves. Not least as I was meant to go to a socially distanced picnic "weather permitting" with the WI tomorrow, our first meeting since the beginning of March. I think that's off. But also because the really bad rain means we have to leave work early. The road we travel home on floods terribly in a few places - as does the alternative route. The only other option is going to the opposite end of the town to work our way back on the A1, and well, who wants to be on the A1 in torrential rain? 

Keep safe, those of you in the UK, have a nice Bank Holiday weekend, despite the rain. 

Size: 20mm/ 13⁄16" / 32L

Day 240 : Leek, 1017

 

Leek, 1017

Today's button is my version of one found on an exhibition card of handmade buttons, by Pownall Stubbs of Leek - the card was created for the Great Exhibition of 1851. The number is the design number on the exhibition card.

I have based this on a not-very-clear photo kindly sent to me - I've yet to see it in person. It is behind glass, and many of the buttons are black (or at least very dark). This makes it very difficult to pick up the detail on so many of the buttons! Our summer holiday this year was supposed to be to go and see these up in Leek.  

I've no real idea of the size of the original. I do think that it might be a more domed button mould than I have used, and my swirls are a little too thin - I'd thicken them up next time.

I've used Soie Gobelins silk for this, and one of those "still-in-India" moulds.... 

Size: 26mm / just over 1" / 42L

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