Butterflies and Buttons

Monday, January 12

Lots of buttons!! Ever have a picture of something in your mind and have to work on it until it is finished. That is what was going on when I started on this necklace. I knew how I wanted it to look. But it kept changing as I worked. I added. I removed. I changed. I moved stuff around. I do believe everything is now safe where it is. I haven’t touched it in the last 12 hours.

This is how it began. Some of what you see here, I used. And some of it I didn’t. I had intended to use only one butterfly but ended up with two. I think it looks more balanced with two.

Here’s a photo I took using the map of my city as a backdrop. The colors in the map match the pink of the buttons.

Got Hearts On My Mind

Monday, January 12

Usually I decide to make Valentine’s Day stuff around the 3rd week of February.

But this year, I am a few weeks ahead. I dug out some heart supplies I have had for years and bought a few red heart shaped buttons at JoAnn’s when I was there for crochet class.

I made several bracelets like this one. Used up all of my heart buttons.

Notice anything. Are my pictures any better? I have been using the bells and whistles on my camera. I am stealing the background idea from my friend Sue. She recently posted some photos using newspaper as the backdrop. I liked it so much, I told her I planned to steal her idea. I used a calendar page.

Here are the supplies I used for the bracelet.

And I also made this necklace and earrings.

Button Necklace, Jump Rings & Chain Links

Wednesday, January 7

Just finished this button necklace and earring set.  If you like working with jump rings, then this project is for you.  This set isn’t hard to make, just takes a bit of time opening jump rings and closing them while listening for the “snap”.

I got the buttons on sale at JoAnn’s in November. Jump rings and chain links I already had. I like to have a variety of sizes, gauges and styles on hand in various metals.

I started in the center area just testing out how I wanted the necklace to look. Then I added a larger button in the center. And THEN I added a natural wood gift tag under the larger button as the focal point.

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Here are the tools and some of the supplies I will use to make several sets:

• Chain Links (approx 12-15 inch)
• Buttons (I used several shades of green, also tan and cream)
• Jump rings (I used 5, 6, 7, 8 & 10mm)
• Clasp (for necklace)
• Fish hooks
• Tools needed: Chain nose pliers (2) and round nose pliers

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Directions to make button necklace and earrings.

Step 1.  Open one jump ring and attach to button, one hole. Open another jump ring and attach to 2nd hole of 1st button and one hole of the 2nd button.

Step 2. Keep going, attaching jump rings to buttons and build necklace in the order you wish. I mixed up colors and button sizes for a colorful and balanced look.

Step 3.  Decide how long the button section will be.  Allow for extra length the chain links will add. When all buttons have been added, end last button with 2 jump rings, top and bottom. Attach length of chain link with a small jump ring. Attach clasp with a small jump ring.  Repeat for other side of necklace.

Step 4.  Earrings. I used parts of the chain link as the base. Pry 2 sections off using round nose pliers.  (See photo)  Attach buttons to jump rings and attach to chain link section. Add as many buttons as you wish. Attach earrings to fish hook with a small jump ring.

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Here are the colors of the next set I will make.

Have fun making your button necklace and earrings. Enjoy!!