I want to thank Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio for putting together the Button Swap!! I have been wanting to use buttons in my designs for a long time and knew I would have to "stretch" to come up with a design or two for the swap. Plus, I get to meet many wonderful jewelry artists and see how they've incorporated buttons into their designs - definitely a win-win!! Thank you, Gracias, Mahalo, Merci!!
I received these buttons from Dana of Dana's Jewelry Design back in mid-April - she's an amazing artist and jewelry designer.
I must admit, after I took these pictures I didn't really think about the Button Swap. I've kept extremely busy (not hard to do with four boys!) to keep my mind off the fact that my biggest cheerleader, our family "rock", is no longer with us. I was even able to see my sisters TWICE since I received the buttons - my sisters live in New Hampshire and California and I'm in Ohio, but we made it happen!
Last weekend, we were in Alexandria, VA cleaning up my Mom's condo where I found a box of chandelier findings - I love that they're in a Godiva box, Mom sure loved her chocolate! I knew I had found the perfect piece to make a necklace with the mother of pearl button, but I still wasn't able to sit still long enough to start on my pieces until this past Thursday - nothing like a little pressure!!
I used the beautiful mother of pearl button (which has two different sides), a chandelier drop, 22g non-tarnish wire, Czech glass pearls, Swarovski silver shade cosmic rings and the last of my vintage chain. Here is the result - I really like how it looks with either the side of the button showing!
Next, I wanted to make a necklace using the windmill button because I have a lovely friend from the Netherlands and wanted to make a necklace that reminded me of her. At first, I wanted to go with blue and white like the Delft pieces she's given me, but went in another direction - she can light up a room and rocks the color pink!!
I made a couple of "practice" necklaces and, in cutting the wire off the button, I accidentally cut of the little connector piece on the back - that was definitely an AAAHHHHHH moment! After my initial panic, I grabbed my sons Dremel and went back to work!!
I used the windmill button, a Chinese marquise pink drop, Swarovski bicones, copper ring and recycled sari silk yarn. This is a fun necklace to wear - I like the loose tendrils from the sari silk yarn!
Just for fun, I made magnets with some of my grandmothers buttons. I can remember my sisters and I playing with these buttons when we were kids. The brown button is covered in leather, the green button is from my grandmothers jacket and the lovely mother of pearl button looks faceted. I made a set for my sisters, too - they are sweet reminders of our past.
I'll be spending myday month hopping around the Button Swap - here's the list to enjoy all of the beautiful designs:
I received these buttons from Dana of Dana's Jewelry Design back in mid-April - she's an amazing artist and jewelry designer.
I must admit, after I took these pictures I didn't really think about the Button Swap. I've kept extremely busy (not hard to do with four boys!) to keep my mind off the fact that my biggest cheerleader, our family "rock", is no longer with us. I was even able to see my sisters TWICE since I received the buttons - my sisters live in New Hampshire and California and I'm in Ohio, but we made it happen!
Last weekend, we were in Alexandria, VA cleaning up my Mom's condo where I found a box of chandelier findings - I love that they're in a Godiva box, Mom sure loved her chocolate! I knew I had found the perfect piece to make a necklace with the mother of pearl button, but I still wasn't able to sit still long enough to start on my pieces until this past Thursday - nothing like a little pressure!!
I used the beautiful mother of pearl button (which has two different sides), a chandelier drop, 22g non-tarnish wire, Czech glass pearls, Swarovski silver shade cosmic rings and the last of my vintage chain. Here is the result - I really like how it looks with either the side of the button showing!
Next, I wanted to make a necklace using the windmill button because I have a lovely friend from the Netherlands and wanted to make a necklace that reminded me of her. At first, I wanted to go with blue and white like the Delft pieces she's given me, but went in another direction - she can light up a room and rocks the color pink!!
I made a couple of "practice" necklaces and, in cutting the wire off the button, I accidentally cut of the little connector piece on the back - that was definitely an AAAHHHHHH moment! After my initial panic, I grabbed my sons Dremel and went back to work!!
I used the windmill button, a Chinese marquise pink drop, Swarovski bicones, copper ring and recycled sari silk yarn. This is a fun necklace to wear - I like the loose tendrils from the sari silk yarn!
Just for fun, I made magnets with some of my grandmothers buttons. I can remember my sisters and I playing with these buttons when we were kids. The brown button is covered in leather, the green button is from my grandmothers jacket and the lovely mother of pearl button looks faceted. I made a set for my sisters, too - they are sweet reminders of our past.
I'll be spending my
Kim Roberts and Partner unable to participate at this time.
* Pam Ferarri and Stefanie Teufel (will share their reveal on a later date)
* Stefanie Teufel and Pam Ferarri (will share their reveal on a later date)
Beautiful pieces! How nice that you used one of your moms chandelier piece for that first necklace. And the windmill piece is fabulous! I love that you made it with your friend in mind. It's a gorgeous necklace!
ReplyDeleteyour pieces are so delicate and beautiful! love both of them!
ReplyDeleteboth are beautiful, but loving that first one with the chandelier!
ReplyDeleteGreat job with the buttons Christine. I love the vintage one with the chandelier crystal and way to save the day with the windmill. Both pieces look great.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work - I love that you grabbed a drill - once you have tools the whole world opens up!
ReplyDeleteI love the necklace with the fortuitously found chandelier drop! So very feminine and pretty!
ReplyDeleteYou have a def. romantic flair and softness to the designs, which are just yummy! I am amazed at the talent out here for repurposing buttons!
ReplyDeleteGreat button projects! Love this swap.
ReplyDeleteAlexandria isn't too far from me! I love that you used those chandelier findings (what a find!) and I love the fiber on the 2nd necklace. Well done!
ReplyDeleteLovely pieces. Very feminine. I broke one of the buttons I received, too, and did the same thing. Thank goodness for power tools! Happy Mothers day.
ReplyDeleteLove the soft and delicate pieces you've created from your buttons - Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful, romantic necklaces! Very nice!
ReplyDeleteVery nice, I love the look of your pieces.
ReplyDeleteThe inspiration for the pieces you made is magical, thanks for sharing it. Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteTwo beautiful pieces, and a wonderful tribute to remind you of your mom. Your first necklace is so delicate and lovely. I also adore the button magnet idea, might have to "borrow" that one! :)
ReplyDeleteYou did a beautiful job with your buttons. I love vintage and love your shell button and pearl necklace! :) Nice to have a piece from your mom as well to place in it! What a great keepsake!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to incorporate memories from the past into your jewelry design. I love the magnets that you created - I think that I could even pull that off while the kids help. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous necklaces! I especially love that last one, though - the little bit of fiber really makes the button pop!
ReplyDeleteHaving lost my mother last year I know how going through her things goes...you will always smile with a memory when you wear the crystal necklace. Beautiful pieces.
ReplyDeleteThat little windmill is super duper cute! I have done that sort of thing too but I am glad that you persevered and found a way to make it work!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the day! Erin
The crystal chandelier findings were a special find from your Mom. It is neat that on Mother's Day you were able to show something she had collected in your necklace. The piece turned out really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteTracy
I love the swarovski crystals you used. It really looks like you had a lot of fun.It was such a good idea to make magnets with the buttons from your childhood. I love the idea of making memories functional in every day life!
ReplyDeleteWow I love that pearl and crystal necklace, so pretty! It is feminine and unusual two things I love!
ReplyDeleteWhile all of your button creations are lovely, that first one with the crystal really takes the cake. It's absolutely inspired!
ReplyDeleteThey're both very pretty, but I really like the simplicity and elegance of the Mother of Pearl button necklace with the drop.
ReplyDeleteWow, what lovely pieces you've made from your swap buttons!!! I love the sentiment behind your pieces, too-- I'm sorry to hear about your recent loss, but I'm glad to see that you have found a way to honor her in the piece <3
ReplyDeleteI also love how you made the piece in honor of your friend, the one who can light up a room. The necklace is perfect for this friend-- it made me think of her and I don't even know her!!!
Thank you for sharing with us on this swap/challenge/hop~
*~* Julia *~* http://beautifullywhimsical.blogspot.com *~*
Christine, you were right here in my neck of the woods in Virginia. Are you originally from this area? I am really sorry about your recent loss. I am happy to see that you found something special that belonged to your Mom and that it was made in to a new keepsake necklace - and using that pretty mother of pearl button. It turned out so beautifully - what could be better - a bit of sparkle and mother of pearl!
ReplyDeleteI love that you made magnets with your old family buttons for your sisters. They look so sweet and sure dress up a fridge compared to boring magnets! Now you'll see them and remember the fun times you had with all of those buttons! :-)
Button maganets!! Fab idea!! Love the button and chandelier..wow stunning!!Cat
ReplyDeleteAwesome piece. I too love chandelier dangles. I think they are so pretty in the light. Reminds me of the movie Pollyanna from Disney ( now I am showing my age). Great job!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely, feminine pieces you've created; I love that even the closure on your first necklace looks like, or is, marcasite. Great attention to detail!
ReplyDelete