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 made this fabric for Moki’s hand stamped fabric swap.  We were to design a stamp (about 3 inches) and stamp a yard of nice cotton fabric, cut it into fat quarters and send 3 away (keeping one ). I couldn’t stop at one stamp-so I did three stamps.

I did a flowery design using Fall inspired colors.  Since I was all stampy, I made coordinating twill tape “ribbon” and notecards.  Fun fun fun!

Then I packaged them up real pretty and sent them on their way.Here is how I did it: (Moki gives instructions too)
You’ll need:  fabric of choice (pre-washed), 1 sheet of super thick craft foam, 1 sheet of thin self-adhesive craft foam,  acryilic craft paints (you can use fabric paints/ink), exacto knife or very sharp scissors, a brayer and an iron for heat setting.

You can use a paint brush for applying the paint onto the stamp, but a brayer helps decrease the amount of excess paint that could potentially glop up your pretty/clean fabric.  Plus, the thinner the layer of paint is, the better the outcome for a softer feeling fabric vs. a stiff painted feeling one(especially if you are using acrylic craft paints).

1)  Cut out design using the thin self-adhesive craft foam.   Peel off adhesive backing and stick onto a super thick piece of craft foam (see picture).

2) Spread out paint, using the brayer, onto a 6″ x 6″ (or larger) piece of super thick foam.  This gives you a nice flat surface for an even, thin layer of paint.

3) You can either roll the paint onto the stamp using the brayer, or just press the stamp into the paint.  I found that I got better coverage using the brayer, but smaller stamps are easier to just press into the paint.

4) Start stamping away, using even pressure when pressing the stamp onto the fabric.

5) When the  fabric is covered with the design, allow to completely dry.  Heat set with iron.

*I have not tried washing this fabric yet, but I do know that when I accidently get craft paint on my clothes- It NEVER comes off once it has dried.

Here are some wardrobe refashions that I’ve been working on over the last couple of weeks (slowly taking pictures as I go). I made three pairs of long shorts out of a pair of blue plaid capris, khaki pants and black dress pants. While looking through my closet I realized that I had 5 pairs of khaki pants and three black (plain & safe I know) and decided I could part with one pair of each for new shorts. I also made a halter style top (right) out of an old skirt that didn’t fit right. The diagram shows how I did it. Pretty straight foward I think. I think it worked out really well. And, lucky for me, I got a new strapless bra in the mail today that fits perfectly and works very well with my new top (thanks mom).

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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

Here is something that I have made that I thought I’d share. I made these little snowmen this week as ornaments. The instructions are as follows:

First you need: styrofoam balls (2 different sizes), white glue, spackling (I bought the kind that goes on pink and dries white), toothpicks, colored polymer clay(black & orange), acrylic craft paint( pearl white, glitter, black), yarn or fabric for scarf and hat, string or ribbon of choice.

1. Attach Styrofoam balls of varying size and attach to each other using white glue and toothpick. Allow to dry. Partially attach an additional toothpick into bottom. This will serve as a temporary handle to hold while applying spackling and paint.

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2. Apply generous amount of spackling over entire surface of snowman. Wet finger and smooth spackling to make smooth surface. Allow to dry completely.

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3. Paint snowmen with a coat of pearly white acrylic paint. The snowman will turn slightly pink from the wet paint but will dry white. Meanwhile, start making eyes, nose, and coal buttons out of colored polymer clay. Shape then follow package directions. I cut toothpicks in thirds and inserted them into the noses then baked. This allowed for me the have something to poke into the snowman’s face area.

4. Make scarfs and hats. I crocheted mine with yarn but felt or other fabric would work as well.

5. Paint a coat of clear glitter paint- for added sparkle.

6. Attach hat, scarf, eyes, nose and buttons with white glue. Paint on smile. String ribbon or thread through hat, make a loop and tie.

7. Hang on tree or give to a friend.

So, while I was frosting these little guys with pink spackling, it made me think of a pig. So, I had to make one as a pig. Here he is. Happy creating!