 |
Today's Post
Topic: Other Techniques
 |
Inspired by a Beading Daily Reader Today's post marks a Beading Daily first: my challenge project for Beadwork's June/July issue was directly inspired by one of you! When Beading Daily reader Bethany sent me an email asking me about creating jewelry using her grandmother's buttons, I started thinking about button jewelry. Many of the instructions I found on various websites mentioned cutting the shanks off the buttons. I knew I couldn't ask Bethany to do that to an heirloom collection. |
 |
While I was mulling over an answer to Bethany's email, I received the extremely cool challenge kit from Ornamentea which was filled to the brim with brass components, including some brass rings. I immediately thought of creating my own button bracelet. Instead of using ready made buttons, I decided to craft my own using bits of fabric and seed beads. Jump rings were used to attach the brass rings to the button shanks. I found that by threading multiple jump rings through the button shanks, I could limit the amount of movement in the bracelet and keep the buttons facing the right way. |
Above: The Fleur de Perle bracelet I created for the June/July 2008 Beadwork challenge. See the magazine for three more creative projects (earrings, a hair ornament, and necklace) made with these brass components.
3 Methods for Creating Beaded Buttons
 |
Method #1: Freeform Bead Embroidery |
Method #2: Bead Embroidery on Paper
This is the method that Amy Clarke Moore used in the Little Star Ornament and in the book Beaded Embellishment. Amy's method involves drawing a design on paper, laying the paper on top of the fabric, and then embroidering over the paper, matching the colors of the beads to the colors in the drawing. Best for: The deliberate designer who plans her designs in advance and has a specific end result in mind.
Method #3: Beadweaving, then Bead Embroidery
In the Fleur de Perle bracelet, I created circular peyote stitched circles and and then sewed them onto the fabric. The two different sizes of seed beads (11s and 15s) cause the beading to ruffle a little. I like this effect, but if you don't, then just stick to one bead size. See Bead Embellished Buttons for project details. Best for: Designers who have commitment issues. (You can move the beadwoven piece around on the fabric multiple times before deciding to stitch them to fabric.)
Many Possibilities
There are many possibilities with these beaded buttons: use a single button for a pin, create a pair for earrings, or string several together for a bracelet. Or use them for hat decorations or purse closures. You could even use them in a more traditional sense to replace boring buttons on a sweater or jacket. I'd love to see what you come up with--please feel free to email me links to photos of your work on your blogs and websites. Have fun!
No Comments Today: We're moving things around on the website and needed to turn off the comment feature. (Don't worry--it will be back!) Remember that you can always send us an email if you have something that can't wait.
My First Interview (Gulp!): If you've been a Beading Daily reader for any length of time, you've probably figured out that I love to do interviews. Designer Jean Yates was the very first person brave enough to put me in the hot seat for a change and ask me about my life as an editor/designer. Check out the interview on Jean's blog. Thanks, Jean!
Michelle Mach shares free beading projects and tips every Friday on Beading Daily.
May 16, 2008 | Read More... | Read Comments (0) | Share Your Comments on this post.
| Bead Embellished ButtonsDesigner: Michelle MachTechnique: Beadmaking |
Download Bead Embellished ButtonsBeading Daily Posts
You can read a post, browse an entire topic, or go directly to reader comments on a post.
Topic: People and Events
Healing Beads: The Special Meanings of GemstonesAfter experiencing a frustrating year of health concerns, doctors, and hospitals in 2007, I started seeing a naturopath. I'd never been to a natural healer and can't claim I welcomed Diane into my life without a big dose of skepticism. But as I have since seen results (restless legs abated! digestion quieted! back surgery cancelled! pounds lost!), I'm not going to question how or why.Posted May 14, 2008 | Read More... | Read Comments (7) |
Topic: Beading Tips
Thread is Cheaper Than Frustration and 4 More Thread Tips"Thread is cheaper than frustration." That was some recent advice I received from Bead Expo Philadelphia instructor Liz Smith. I laughed when I read her email because it reminded me of when I started to learn beadweaving. Coming from the world of expensive beading wire, I was afraid of wasting thread so I used these ridiculously short pieces two and three inches long. I struggled to learn the various stitches until one day I used the exact amount of thread (something like 4 feet!) that a project recommended. I couldn't believe how much easier that made everything! That was a big lesson for me: don't be so afraid of wasting thread that you waste a lot of time!Posted May 12, 2008 | Read More... | Read Comments (12) |
Topic: Wirework
| Coiled Wire Necklace with Lampwork PendantSeveral months ago I bought a beautiful purple and green lampwork focal bead. I assumed I would hang it vertically in whatever design I came up with. (That's right, I'm one of those people who buys beads without a definite project in mind!) When I saw Kitty Durmaj's Southwest Desert necklace, I had an "ah-ha" moment. Why not hang the bead horizontally instead? Just that simple change from vertical to horizontal has opened up a number of design possibilities that I never would have considered before.Posted May 9, 2008 | Read More... | Read Comments (9) |
Topic: Beading Tips
Tips for New BeadweaversBeading Daily reader Christine K. wrote, "I am a brand-new beginner now attempting to learn the off-loom stitches. Although I am generally skilled with crafts that use one's hands (e.g., I can both crochet and knit), my learning of beading stitches is SLOW. My major question now is: what is the main difference between right-angle weave stitch and peyote stitch? Also, when I try to work in peyote stitch, I find it difficult to make the beads lay correctly. After figuring out the main difference between peyote stitch and right-angle stitch, is the "trick" to making the beads lay correctly to just relax and continue to thread the beads as required by peyote/right-angle stitch?"Posted May 7, 2008 | Read More... | Read Comments (9) |
Faerie Queen Cuff
Fruit Salad Choker
YES! Send me my FREE trial issue of Beadwork. I'll get a one-year subscription (6 issues) for only $19.95—that's a savings of 44% off the newsstand price! If I'm not completely satisfied, I can keep my FREE issue and return the bill marked "cancel" and owe nothing.
