Save Those Old Buttons

by Judy Larson

While a collection of antique buttons makes a beautiful Cha Cha Bracelet, don't discount using buttons as cabochons in your designs.

Instructions

Use your buttons for this Heirloom Buttons and Beads Bracelet.

Buttons and beads together are a natural.

Find the tutorial here: Heirloom Buttons and Beads Bracelet

On a recent foray into one of my sewing cabinets, I realized how many domed buttons were in one of my many jars of buttons.

I did not collect all of them-most belonged to my grandmother and mother.

I have just carried on the tradition habit of saving buttons from garments that are no longer good enough to donate.

A heavy duty wire cutter can easily cut shanks from the backs of buttons to turn them into cabochons.

Marrying a shank back button, minus the shank, onto a two- or four-hole button can create a whole new one-of-a-kind cabochon.

The slight surface wear on these "new" cabochons adds character and will look great paired with both slightly imperfect and higher-end cabochons when making ornaments.

Some plastic buttons can even be carved though I can't do that if you're skilled enough.

If the button surface is dull from wear, restore its shine using 6000 grit nail buffing blocks made for manicures.

Fabric and craft stores carry a huge variety of buttons where you will be sure to find something to spark your creative mind.

How do you envision using buttons?

Holiday Woodland Fairy Ornament Tutorial found here:

Holiday Woodland Fairy Ornament

Materials

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Tools

Heavy Duty Wire Shear

PLR-460.00

PLR-460.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $44.95
Gold Club Price: $33.71

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Category: General Education
Technique(s): General Education

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Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

Save Those Old Buttons

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