Sunday, May 13, 2012

Button Swap Reveal Day

Cindy Wimmer  of Sweet Bead Studio announced that she was setting up a button swap. I was jumping up and down, cause I love buttons.
My swap partner, Veralynne Malone, sent me some beauties!

Aren't they gorgeous??

I've been wanting to learn to bezel forever, so this seemed my perfect opportunity to learn. Here are a couple of the cuties:

Aren't they just adorable?
I went through several different thought processes. I was going to make a bracelet to attach these babies to, and then when I had it finished, it said it didn't want them on top, so I attached one of the other buttons as a closure. And yes, for you detail people, one of those above is not from the group Veralynne sent to me.  I grabbed some of my metal buttons when I received Veralynnes, with my first idea of a bracelet with beads on top....so now I have some extras, oh well!




See what I mean? It just wanted to be center stage, with the button it chose!!




 This is a simple herringbone weave, using size 8's and
size 11 seed beads.

 A plain loop, with just a touch of embellishment.

This is super comfortable to wear, it has a good weight to it, and is very smooth.

So, what to do with those bezeled buttons? Well, here's what I came up with:




This beautiful lariat has turquoise, white and black as the color scheme.





 I stitched a peyote tube, and mounted the bezeled button on it. The lariat then slides through the tube.


I had some fun with it and beaded half the tube in white with black speckles, 











and half in black with white speckles.



This was my first lariat, and was a lot of fun to create. Thank you so much for hosting this challenge Cindy!
Please head on over and check out the rest of the participants from the links below.
Have a blessed Mother's Day.









 Kim Roberts and Partner unable to participate at this time.
Pam Ferarri and Stefanie Teufel (will share their reveal on a later date)
Stefanie Teufel and Pam Ferarri (will share their reveal on a later date)

34 comments:

  1. Hi Shirley,
    I like what you did with the buttons you received. The one button on the herringbone braclet compliments the bracelet perfectly.
    I like the bezel around the buttons and I can not believe you have never done this before. I like the lariat the bezeled button looks great on the slide.
    Therese

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  2. The cuff bracelet is my favorite. I love how the button accents it so well. I love how you used bead weaving around the other beads too. So sweet and just makes them even more special. Great Work.

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  3. These are great, Shirley. I love the cuff and want to know how you did it w/ the two sizes of beads. I'm intrigued by that. Also love the lariat. But most of all, I'm so impressed by your bezeling. I also want to learn how to do that. And you just DID IT! Way to go, my friend. Awesome!

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  4. Your designs are incrediable! Your eye for design coordinates perfectly with the buttons. Nice JOB!!

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  5. Love that lariat! And I think I'm going to bust my fear of seed beads to try that sort of cab bezel beading. Just have to learn!

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  6. Shirley, I absolutely love the bezeled seed bead technique - and sure wish I had a clue or the patience to do this myself. I think it always elevates a focal in to something amazing. And that's how I think your bezel buttons look - just amazing! And your herringbone bracelet is phenomenal - you chose the perfect button for the clasp! The lariat is so beautiful - what a statement piece. I can imagine it took quite some time to complete but is sure worth it!

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  7. I like both of these. The first button takes a nice bracelet and makes it great - perfect pairing. The lariat is gorgeous, and starts me thinking about buttons in a whole new way. I don't usually go look at others' pics on a reveal day, but I will this time.

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  8. Wow Shirley! I love what you did with the buttons. The simplicity of the bracelet is awesome and really shows off the button. The beadwork on the lariat is awesome too! Love both pieces!

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  9. I am in awe of your beadwork, it is gorgeous. I have been collecting seed beads for years hoping one day to get over my lack of knowledge.
    ~Angie

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  10. wow! I love ALL of your creations. I am so impressed with seed beaders! I love your idea of using a button for a closure.

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  11. What a great way to turn a great button into a stunning one.

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  12. I really love the look of the herringbone bracelet and the button goes perfect. I have seen a couple bracelets stitched in herringbone and I love the look, I am going to have to try my hand at this...and the bezeled buttons are adorable.

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  13. Beautiful buttons, and I love what you did with them! The bezels are awesome, and the lariat is so pretty. :)

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  14. Super cute! I love the herringbone bracelet and the button you picked for it was perfect!

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  15. Holy cow ... so this is the first time you have bezeled, and let me get this straight .... made a lariat? Seriously? Those are both fantastic by any standard ... forget that it was your first! WOW I'm impressed!

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  16. LOVE the bezel I am amazed at them, I cannot imagine how much work they are. They look amazing!

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  17. Oh my such detail bead work. Beautiful... I love both the bracelet and lariet.

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  18. Shirley, I am so inspired by your button swap post, how nice of you to post your creative process! The buttons are beautiful and your work is stunning! I have got to learn how to bead!!

    Thanks so much for the lovely comment you left on my blog, too. I really appreciate your kind words very much!

    Lynda

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  19. I love how you say "simple herringbone weave"...it doesn't look at all simple to me, Shirley, but the result looks fantastic!

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  20. I am SO in awe of beading like yours-- it is such a cool and beautiful way to capture the metal beads and make them shine! Love that lariat and the way you used the beaded tube. Wonderful!

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  21. Thank you so much for your nice comment. Your necklace is exactly what I have been trying to produce. Is there a book that describes how to do this stitch???? All I found was to use different sizes of tubes or needles and stitch around them. I don't know how to do the stitch though!!!! yours is gorgeous!

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  22. Your herringbone bracelet grabbed me right away--not only the beading but I love that button! I want to learn to bead a bezel!! Beautiful pieces!

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  23. Stunning work!! wish i had the patience to work with seed beads!! each piece is perfect for the buttons you used!

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  24. I bet that bracelet IS comfortable! Your work is just amazing!

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  25. Wow! Really wonderful seed bead work! I'd wear those pieces in a heartbeat!

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  26. I love your beautiful bezel!!! I don't bead with seed beads..so I totally admire the discipline it takes to work with such tiny beads...your work is beautiful and I am so delighted to have met you via the swap!!!!

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  27. What fun! I love buttons, though it's probably a good thing I missed this swap. :).

    Isn't it interesting how our work develops a mind of its own?

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  28. Two very lovely, unique pieces! I like both of them. What a great way to use these darling buttons!

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  29. I love that you challenged yourself by trying something completely new-- I can't believe that this was your first time!!! The colors of the lariat are positively beautiful, but I have to admit that I'm partial to the bracelet :)

    Thanks for sharing both with all of us... it's been great to see what everyone has made in this swap/challenge/hop!

    *~* Julia *~* http://beautifullywhimsical.blogspot.com *~*

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  30. Your work is very beautiful! And hard to choose! Awesomeness!

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  31. You AMAZE me, Shirley! Those bezels are so pretty! But my favorite is the bracelet, simple and striking! Is it for sale?

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  32. Thanks for your nice comment! Sorry I'm so late getting around to everyone! Love, love your bracelets...so nice to see another bead-weaver in these hops! Really love that lariat, it's a favorite shape of mine. So flattering for everyone.

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