My Muse is Like a Crow...

because she is attracted to Shiny Things. Even though I have a ton of writing and sewing to do these next few weeks...she would not let me really get going on anything...because she wanted to handle some gorgeous beads. So, I pulled out some Czech Glass Buttons and started to work.

 These are cobalt blue...and just simply take my breath away they are so pretty close up. The sheen reminds me of rich velvet it is so opulent!

These set the bar extra high for the Bling factor...and the heavily beaded gold one will be a great addition to a gold work project I'm thinking...and the seed beads on it are 24K gold. That's why it shines so!

 These are just pure fun...and will make great motifs on crazy quilt blocks.Some of these are headed off to CrazyQuiltingSupplies for Thearica to add to her inventory of beaded cabochons. But, you can always go there and get the Czech Glass Buttons before any beading...and do your own. Just hop on over and take the Beaded Cabochon Class now offered at Maureen's as a take-it-anytime class...just check out her class page at MaureensVintageAcquisitions.It is easy to understand because I've included tons of color charts and her kit offered is the exact same cabochons in the photos for the class...no guess work!

Button Jewelry by Dawn

I was delighted, when Dawn of NorthernAdornments kindly sent me a photo of a pendant she had created using one of the Czech Buttons that she had purchased from my Etsy Shop. It was stunning wrapped in wire...so, I asked if she would mind my sharing her work here on the blog. She said Yes!...and sent me an additional photo of a second button creation too! 

 How nice is that...thanks so much Dawn! Your work is beautiful....and sure to be inspiring to others as well!

Glorious Buttons!

 More buttons arrived yesterday afternoon! And, I'm working hard to get photos and a write up done on each one for the Etsy site...AND that's before coffee! Yikes!Here is a little teaser photo...and I'll just have to promise more info later today...cause I just HAVE to go downstairs to Mom's for my morning coffee and chat!

 Edited to add: Okay, it's 10:49...and I've had two cups of coffee. No breakfast yet...so, I might as well wait until lunch! LOL! I just finished loading all of the new buttons on to the Etsy site...so you can now go there and actually purchase any of these you might want. Here are more photos I took so you can see the groups of dragonfly styles compared to each other...and the other buttons in this group as well.

 

Posting these also has resolved (at least partially) a design issue I've been having lately. There is a large CQ Project I've been wanting to do, and I have the idea for the colors but something was missing. These buttons (especially the dragonfly ones) has helped me complete some of my thought process...and come up with a "name" for my project. In other words, now I have a "direction" in my design...and that will greatly speed up the design process for me. My new quilt will take some time...and of course I'll blog each and every little element with you. It will be called "Dragonfly Garden"...so you know there will be ton's of dragonflies and dragonfly buttons/cabochons...and flowers, trees, plants! And, finally...here are close ups of the remaining buttons...for your enjoyment!

 The cobalt blue button is simply not to be believed...it is so gorgeous! I almost didn't list them as there are so stunning I was tempted to hoard them for my own projects! So, ya'll know you are my BFF's because I'm willing to share!

 This peacock button was hard to get a photograph of so you could pick out the detail of the bird. I did a sorry job of it I'm afraid with the sewing room lights. It is truly very unique and so pretty!

 This photo might be a little better...it doesn't have as many shadows perhaps.

Mother of Pearl "Buttons"

These are not actually buttons...but flat round beads. They have a hole through them that does allow them to be attached to crazy quilt projects quite nicely. Here, I have painted a few with acrylic paints. Well, "paint" is a term used very loosely in this case...as I am NOT AN ARTIST... I know that. I am more of a "blobber"! Ha! However, they are adequate enough to satisfy me in using them for inclusion in some button clusters on "shabby chic" style projects. So, I'm happy with them.

I thought you might like to know about them...in case you really ARE a painter. Mine were purchased at FiremountainGems. The stock number is H20-9613FL. They come as a 16 inch string of "White AB Flat Round, Mother of Pearl (MOP) Beads" ...30 mm each in size. There are about 14 of them on my string, and the price for the entire string is $4.20US as of today's pricing. FMG also has $5.00 shipping in the US. Not sure what it would cost to sent them overseas.Oh, and they also have them in other sizes.

Beaded Button Tutorial

A few of the ladies on HGTV Message Board had a beaded button swap not long ago.

We decided to make the use of button "blanks" optional...so I created a tutorial on how to make beaded buttons, without having to purchase button kits.

Here's the link to the tutorial if you want to make your own beaded buttons!