I still have a thing for buttons. They are perfect for accessorizing just about anything- clothes, pillows, dolls, bags. And I love handmade jewelry (even though I can’t wear any right now because of four small hands that like to tug and pull shiny & pretty dangly objects- ouch!). So it seems to only make sense that I continue to combine the two- Right? I’ll just have to look at them for now
Well, I saw a bracelet in one of those fashion magazines and it was made with 10k gold flower buttons and leather cord. It cost only $1400 (gulp!) I liked the simple design and thought, hey I could make one of those (a more wallet-friendly version). So, in the midst of my humongo list of halloween projects, I set out to try to make this bracelet, kismet style. Here is what you need:

Make the buttons:

After buttons have cooled, start making the bracelet. If you’ve seen my other tutorial, then you already know half the steps. I used 1 yard of hemp twine to string my buttons together. The bracelet is about 7.25in (18.5cm) long.

Here is another Peaches & Cream version using green hemp twine, my handmade buttons and “real” buttons. I pressed the handmade ones very lightly onto a stamp pad and stamped the round ones with a leaf patterned stamp and sprayed lightly with a clear coat.

I would add this to the last post, but wordpress won’t let me make changes to my post without having to re-link and re-write (ugh!!!).  Anyway, I wanted to add that I have a flickr group for button jewelry & accessories.  So if you have made any button jewelry or accessories (brooches, rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, hair things) please add it to the group.  Lots of great button inspiration so check it out

I made another little button bracelet, this time using a cheapy craft store bracelet chain, jump rings and a bunch of plastic black & white shank buttons. It’s a noisy little bracelet, but I kinda like the way it sounds.

Now, I need to think up more ways to craft with buttons because my Granny gave me her sewing basket during my last visit. This is the same basket that I played with when I was little. So, it not only has lots of buttons in it, but it is jam-packed with memories of growing up with my grandma and grandpa.

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This tutorial was updated on Sept. 28, 2007. Please see my flickr photo set with step-by-step photos.

And also check out the Button Bracelet and Button Jewelry Flickr Group.

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What you need:

Embroidery Floss- (I used DMC® Metallic Embroidery Floss)
assorted buttons (any kind)
glue
scissors
ruler
2 -Light-medium twisted beading needles (you may not need these)I make my bracelets roughly 7-8 inches long. You may want to measure your favorite bracelet to get a better length for you.

1. Cut off a 1 yard piece of embroidery floss. Put a dab of glue on each end and twist each end to a point and allow to dry. This will give ou a semi-rigid “needle” for threading through the buttons. If this doesn’t work for you, you can use a beading needle to thread your buttons.

2. Arrange the buttons you will be using in a 7 inch line with small spaces(1/16) in between each button.

3. Take embroidery floss, fold in half, make a loop (big enough for last button to fit through) and tie a knot. You can add seed beads first to make latching on/off easier.

4. You will have two ends of the string in which you will weave in and out through the buttons in opposing directions. This keeps the button from twisting and flipping over. Use the following diagram.

5. Weave one button at time, knotting in between each button making sure to tug tightly on the thread, until you get to the last buttons.

6. There are 3 options for finishing off the last button.

For option 1 and 2 you will be taking the thread through the button then finishing it off with two knots directly behind the button right next to the first two knots. For the third option, you will just take the thread through the button holes and do a double knot on top of the button. Trim the excess thread and add a dab of glue to keep knots together.

I never realized how hard it is to make a tutorial! Kudos to all of those lovely crafters that do this kind of thing often. I hope that my tutorial makes sense. If you have any questions please leave them in the comments or send me an email (regina AT creativekismet DOT com)

On a side note, I just wanted to thank everyone so much for all of the extremely nice comments that have been left on my posts -especially on the two previous posts. I’d love to send one lucky person the above bracelet or this green/yellow shell bracelet (your choice). Just leave a comment (and a note on which bracelet you like best) and I’ll draw one name on Friday. Thanks so much everyone!

Wow! Thanks for all the great coments, once again. I’m having a super busy day today and will be drawing the name of the winner late tonight (central time) and posting the winner first thing in the morning. The winner will also be notified via email. Thanks

I saw some really cool button jewelry HERE (from a Japanese craft book via applehead) and it has been hauting me ever since. So last night , while watching Sideways for the second time, I decide to give it a try. First, I made the bracelet, then decided I needed a necklace to match, and got up early this morning to give that a try. I don’t think I even own clothing that would suit this little set, but I guess I can work on that later.

They were made using some green and yellow shell buttons that I had, some small yellowish-clear beads, and gold embroidery floss. They were pretty easy once I got it all figured out and I think they turned out fabulous. I can see more of these in my future once I dig into my granny’s collection of vintage buttons (she said I could have them once we moved back to AZ- wo-hoo!). If anyone is interested, I can make a *tutorial for this.

Okay, now that I have this temporarily out of my system, I can go back to my regularly scheduled sewing.

 *  HERE is the tutorial for the button bracelet