Thursday, April 21, 2011

Button Swap Reveal!!!

I am so pleased with this swap. I think it really pushed me outside my comfort zone to design a project around a button. Of course I've used buttons as the toggle for bracelets before. But I wanted to try something different.  My wonderful partner, Krista French of French Elegant Jewelry, sent some great buttons. I was having such a hard time choosing which to use. And, I had a couple of other challenges during this time, so I only made one item.  I have ideas for several other pieces with the buttons.  Here are the buttons she sent me.
I chose to use that lovely variegated purple one in the back. I have lots of bracelets, so I wanted to make a necklace this time. 
I love trying new stitches, and this is one I've been wanting to try for a while. It is from Carol Cypher's book, Mastering Beadwork.  It is basically a circular peyote, carry one. The carry bead is the white drop.

 

A new camera is on my wishlist, cause you totally can't tell that the round beads are a fantastic blue goldstone. They have the most wonderful sparkle in the sunlight.  The button needed a bit more presence, so I stitched up a backing for it using the matte purple seed beads from the tube, and more of the faery drops.  This ended up a little shorter than I normally wear my necklaces, but I'm excited about the overall look.  Please head over and check out the rest of the lovely creations.
And, don't forget, each comment gives you a chance to win some awesome buttons from Michelle!!
1. Cat - Boo Beads

2. Cindy - Sweet Bead Studio

3. Cory - Art with Moxie

4. Cyndi - Beading Arts

5. Dita - Alankarshilpa

6. Donna, Marti, and Michelle - Beads & Books

7. Erin - Treasures Found

8. Hope - Crafty Hope

9. Inca - Zerenity Design

10. Katrine - Army of Sock Monsters

11. Krista - French Elegant Jewelry

12. Kristie - Artisan Clay

13. Linda D. - Lutka and Co.

14. Linda L. - Linda's Bead Blog

15. Lody - Lody's Beadworks

16. Lori - Pretty Things

17. Loretta - Loretta's Boutique

18. Malin - Beading by Malin de Koning

19. Mary - MK's Creative Musings

20. Maryanne - Zingala's Workshop

21. Melinda - Melinda Orr Metal & Clay Jewelry Designs

22. Saskia - Perlendistel

23. Shannon - For My Sweet Daughter

24. Shirley - Beads and Bread **You Are Here**

25. Stephanie - Confessions of a Bead Hoader
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32 comments:

  1. Marian HertzogApril 21, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    what a fun swap! Your necklace is gorgeous! Good job... can't wait to see what you do with the other buttons... I love buttons!

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  2. Melinda Orr - BANDANA GIRLApril 21, 2011 at 5:29 AM

    Stunning! I'm speechless! Beautiful work~

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  3. Cyndi LApril 21, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Cyndi LApril 21, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    I'm such an idiot! I still had the bracelet project on my mind when I wrote the last comment! Anyway, I love how you combined the bead woven sections with the other beads and your button :-)

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  5. Shannon ChomanczukApril 21, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    Beautiful and so intricate!
    Shannon C

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  6. AliceApril 21, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    Gorgeous!!!! I can't imaggine the work that went into making this lovely piece!

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  7. Pretty ThingsApril 21, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Absolutely STUNNING! That's amazing. And I'm eager to see what you do with that hot pink flower button in the front there, too!

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  8. KayzKreationzApril 21, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    That turned out really pretty. Can't wait to see what you do with the rest of your buttons.

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  9. AnonymousApril 21, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    Awesome Shirley! You go girl that is gorgeous. I LOVE blue goldstone, it's so pretty. Congratulations!

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  10. Michelle MachApril 21, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    What a wonderful way to use a button! I love that you added the stitching to the button to make it stand out more as a focal. (And isn't Carol's book great? It's one of my favorites.)

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  11. Mary K. McGrawApril 21, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    What beautiful stitching you do. Adding the stitching behind the button really sets it off

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  12. Lutka And Co.April 21, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Just lovely, the colors are beautiful too!

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  13. CynthiaApril 21, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    Beautiful necklace! Really stunning!

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  14. CoryApril 21, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Breath taking necklace...love the bead work.

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  15. SueBeadsApril 21, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    Beautiful, and you got great buttons too!

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  16. CraftyHopeApril 21, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    You got such an awesome stash of buttons!! The purple one you used, though, really is a gem.

    Your necklace really does it justice. Beautiful, beautiful work!

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  17. IncaApril 21, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    that purple button was absolutely awesome ... totally love your creation =)

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  18. BobbieApril 21, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Wow - very pretty! Then again, once you choose purple to work with, it's hard to go wrong. Love how you incorporated the beadweaving.

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  19. CindyApril 21, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Shirley, you are really one talented lady! I am in awe of the seed bead stitching as I have NO idea how you do it.... no clue and I'm just mesmerized. it is a gorgeous piece and I can see why you must be so proud!

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  20. BooBeadsApril 21, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    What a stunning piece!

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  21. LorettaApril 21, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    Beautiful beading job. Really sets off that pretty button.

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  22. Carol Dee, CZTApril 22, 2011 at 4:20 AM

    Gorgeous beading making a beautiful necklace!

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  23. Artisan ClayApril 22, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Your beaded sections really add a great texture to the piece. Great job!

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  24. UnknownApril 22, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    WOW you really made that button sparkle! I love your piece!

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  25. LodyApril 22, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Your partner pampered you so well! I love the how you showcased the pendant on that stunning necklace.

    As a button collector, I truly enjoy browsing participants buttons. I've seen some that I have in my collection. I happen to have that pearl button with gold tone setting (left most in the photo) and I used it as a clasp in one of my triple wrap leather bracelets.:)

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  26. I LOVE color!April 22, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    You have given me such a great idea. I have been looking for a lampwork flower bead. I may just use a button with the bead swap from Jennifer Pride. Be Blessed

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  27. lisa oramApril 23, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    this is my first visit to your blog - I share your passion about seed beads ( I mostly bead crochet, but I long to try other stitches) and bread! very nice to "meet" you.

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  28. BonnieApril 23, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Wow, absolutely fantastic. I love it!

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  29. Anindita BasuApril 23, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    What a stunning piece and how intricate. Great job you did with those beautiful buttons.

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  30. Malin de KoningApril 24, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    So elegant!

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  31. mitzApril 26, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    ...ohhh my gosh.. way to wow us.. amazing
    mitz_zee@yahoodotcom

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  32. TesoriTrovatiApril 27, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Such a rich color palette! I like the idea of backing the button to make it stand out more. Beautiful!
    Sorry I am late to the party. Last week was not a time to be hopping (unless you were a bunny! ;-). Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the day! Erin

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I'm thrilled you stopped by! Thanks for your words of wisdom.

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