2/01/2013

DIY Inspiration - Antique Button Jewelry

2/01/2013
DIY Inspiration - Antique Button Jewelry
Top and Bottom Image | here
Antique buttons - admiring them and collecting them is a huge passion.
I have not passed a button and trimming store, a flea market, a yard sale or passed up second hand garments without looking to see if there were interesting buttons.
I've gone through phases as to the types of buttons I lusted for. But pretty much any type catches my eye. Whether they are plastic, horn, wood, glass, mother of pearl or jet they are like beacons that call to me.
But the most beautiful and prized ones to me are the bakelite buttons. They are my happy buttons. Colours are vibrant and inset rhinestones twinkle.
The above brooches are a prime example of how an ordinary lapel, sweater or coat takes on personality, a vintage accent that makes the outfit special.
Top and Bottom Image | here
Iridiscence and molded glass buttons are also highly sought after and popular. In particular the bright blue or copper buttons can dress up a jacket or become a lovely bracelet as illustrated above.
Threaded Button Necklace | DESIGNSQUISH, Etsy
As you look at the above examples you begin to realize there is no pattern to how the buttons are joined together. Thread is used up and down as well as sideways to attach the buttons into a mass.
Below are two tutorials for making button necklaces starting with the single strand and then progressing to the multi-strand.
BUTTON TUTORIALS
How to Make a Necklace Garland - tutorial here | Learn to make a single, threaded strand.
How to Make a Stacked Button Necklace - tutorial here | Learn to stack different size buttons and thread them together.
Multi-Strand Button Necklace - tutorial here | Learn to make multi-threaded strands tied together.
Top Necklace - here | Bottom Necklace - here
Glue like the one illustrated above is another type of application if you are considering to make brooches, rings or earrings.
Most of the items illustrated are available from craft and hobby stores such as Michael's Craft Store, bead crafting stores or online.
Rhinestone Button Earring Tutorial | P.S. I Made This

4 comments:

  1. Thanks for the info and tutorials, I am a die-hard button collector also. I have so very many of them, I need to start using them. I have jars and jars of lining my window sills.

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    1. Hopefully, I'll do "something" with my buttons...maybe the more elaborate ones will be framed. I want to keep looking for unusual ideas and will post them in the future.

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  2. I do appreciate sharing these wonderful DIY....I would very much like to know how to start the Button Necklace that is pictured before the Tutorial. Do you start with 6 strands on each side? I have my buttons laid out but not sure what to do? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks

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    1. Dear Barbara,
      I am fascinated with this necklace as well...both of them, the mother of pearl and the bright-coloured one.
      As you know there are many ways of approaching the same task. The way I would startis to lay the design out but I would lay it out on wide masking tape, either draw the order of the buttons or take a picture. The same process is used for laying out pictures on a wall.
      You can sew through the tape, starting at the dges would be a good idea. Good luck with your project.

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