TODAY is the big Button Swap Blog Hop!! I’ve been eagerly awaiting this day, after all, I’m crazy about buttons and love collecting them. Way back at the end of March, a respectable number of bloggers signed up to take on this button challenge. The participants were paired up, and buttons were mailed out from all over: Germany, England, Canada, Australia, Sweden, New Zealand and of course the U.S. Everyone set to work creating something wonderful with their new buttons. And it did not have to be jewelry! ….I can’t wait to see if we had any non-jewelry takers out there! Another interesting factor about the swap is that any kind of button could be shared – from antique to hand made.
Thank you to every one who participated! If you didn’t get to join in this time, I do plan to host the Button Swap again next year and hope to see you join the next time!
My Button Swap partner is Mimi Gardner of Baubles, Beads, & other Curiosities (love her blog name!).
Mimi sure surprised me and sent me an amazing assortment of vintage buttons. The vintage part wasn’t a surprise – I think she got a good hint at what I like to work with by visiting my blog. But she was so kind as to send me a variety, not knowing if I preferred working with silver or gold… See the beautiful buttons she sent? Which set do you think I picked??
I like classics – so I chose the timeless gold and black combination! I used 5 out of the 6 buttons in this set. Let’s start around the back ….here you’ll see one of the vintage black buttons used as a dangle hanging from the extender chain of the necklace I created.
I went a little over the top & ended up with something on the ornate side. There’s nothing understated about mixing vintage earrings – yes I added one, can you find it? – and old brass stampings (Metalliferous & Beadin’ Path), after all. The base of my focal is a brass filigree bow tie folded in half. It was a clever way to hide the wirework used to attach the buttons through the flower stampings. I incorporated a few floral components to complement the nature motif in some of the buttons. My finished necklace is a compilation of handmade onyx and brass chain, knotted gemstones, bronze and brass components, and the vintage black buttons.
I recently purchased some beautiful beaded beads from the talented Sandra Sculli of Preserve Jewelry Studio, and couldn’t wait for an opportunity to use one. Sandra really does amazing beadwork!
I definitely had fun taking the “after” photos. To me, this is just as much fun as making the jewelry. I headed out to the front porch, armed with old pieces of lace, a needlepoint runner, a 100 year-old book, and a couple antique Victorian albums.
And one more – just to show you how the necklace looks when worn, I tried it on with a new sundress.
All the while I was making my button jewelry, I had my faithful studio companion with me. We had fun making a ring together – yes, a button ring! While I was taking pictures of the ring, the two of us goofed around with taking pictures of ourselves in a mirror.
I have to show you that new, old mirror. I love this one – haven’t hung it up yet – but I have just the spot. I was so lucky that it happens to fit perfectly between the two windows where I intended to put it because I didn’t know the precise measurement (and there is no room to spare). This mirror has some great memories associated with it – all 6 of us went antiquing in early April and that’s when we found it. And on that day my husband and I seemed to fall in love all over again. It’s hard to explain how or why, but I knew that it happened. When we were purchasing the mirror, we happened to notice an Easter egg in the counter showcase. There it was – 1995, the year we were married. It’s not everyday that you find something from 1995 when it’s 2012. We brought home that egg too. 🙂
Oh! And here’s the ring that I made using the glass floral button that Mimi sent. It is so sparkly & I love wearing it. Keri Lee Sereika has a great tutorial on how to make this ring. I’ve seen many ring tutorials out there, but loved this one for the concise, step by step directions. If you happen to have any shank-style buttons left from the Button Swap, why not try making one too!
My little guy showing off his ring (he chose the button). He’s already shared it on the playground – took it right off and let others wear it too. 🙂
I was all set to work with the 2nd group of buttons but ran out of time. I’ll keep you posted and share this piece on my blog hopefully in the near future.
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Before you head off to visit more button swap blogs, I have an announcement! Remember this giveaway? These vintage mother of pearl buttons are going to one lucky Button Swap participant. And the Winner is:
KIM BALLOR!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Button Swap Blog Hop. It is plain to see that many of us love buttons. Now let’s see what everyone has created with their buttons! Please visit the the Swap participants below – take your time & keep on hopping, even if it takes a week or two, or three….
Angie Blasingame and Billi R.S. Rothove
Billi R.S. Rothove and Angie Blasingame
Birgitta Lejonklou and Pam Farren
Bonnie Coursolle and Tania Hagen
Brenda Salzano and Hope Smitherman
Cece Cornier and Jeannie Dukic
Celeste Thurston and Christine Damm
Christine Damm and Celeste Thurston
Christine Stonefield and Dana James
Cilla Watkins and Lori Bowring Michaud
Cindy Wimmer and Mimi Gardner *You are here!
Cynthia Machata and Julia Johnson
Dana James and Christine Stonefield
Diana Ptaszynski and Erin Prais-Hintz
Emma Thomas and Rebecca Anderson
Erin Prais-Hintz and Diana Ptaszynski
Erin Siegel and Sharon Borsavage
Holly Westfall and Sally Russick
Hope Smitherman and Brenda Salzano
Jeannie Dukic and Cece Cornier
Jenna Meyers and Kristi Harrison
Jenna Tomalka and Karen McKillip
Jenny Davies Reazor and Sandi Volpe
Julia Johnson and Cynthia Machata
Kalaya Steede and Kylie Dickman
Karen McKillip and Jenna Tomalka
Karen Mitchell and Renetha Stanziano
Kay Thomerson and Shannon Chomanczuk
Kim Roberts and Partner unable to participate at this time.
Kristi Harrison and Jenna Meyers
Kylie Dickman and Kalaya Steede
Linda Djokic and Patty Gasparino
Line Labrecque and Teri Baskett
Lori Bowring Michaud and Cilla Watkins
Marianna Boylan and Tracy Statler
Mary Harding and Stacie Florer
Maureen Baranov and Tracy Bell
Melissa Martin and Theresa Fosdick
Michelle Hardy and Peggy Johnson
Nicole Valentine Rimmer and Niki Meiners
Niki Meiners and Nicole Valentine Rimmer
Pam Farren and Birgitta Lejonklou
* Pam Ferarri and Stefanie Teufel (will share their reveal on a later date)
Patty Gasparino and Linda Djokic
Peggy Johnson and Michelle Hardy
Rebecca Anderson and Emma Thomas
Renetha Stanziano and Karen Mitchell
Rose Binoya and Shanti Johnson
Sally Russick and Holly Westfall
Sandi Volpe and Jenny Davies Reazor
Shannon Chomanczuk and Kay Thomerson
Shanti Johnson and Rose Binoya
Sharon Borsavage and Erin Siegel
Shirley Moore and Veralynne Malone
Stacie Florer and Mary Harding
* Stefanie Teufel and Pam Ferarri (will share their reveal on a later date)
Tania Hagen and Bonnie Coursolle
Teri Baskett and Line Labrecque
Theresa Fosdick and Melissa Martin
Tracy Bell and Maureen Baranov
Tracy Statler and Marianna Boylan
Veralynne Malone and Shirley Moore
Thank you ever so much for stopping by today!
– Cindy xoxo
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Cindy,
Gorgeous necklace and so you:-) Thanks for hosting, have a great Mother’s Day!!!!
See you later in the week at ArtBliss.
Hey Cindy- Wow. Wait, did I say that correctly? I mean WOW. What a work of art you’ve created with those beautiful buttons and beads. And how precious is your youngest’s button ring? What a great idea! Maybe one day you’ll photograph the “behind”of the ring so we can peek at HOW you created such magic.
Wear them well and a Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Everything is beautiful Cindy. Jewelry, photos and your story. I like that you showed your necklace on you with your new dress – it looks equally as good on as it does in your other photos! The brass stampings are a great backdrop for buttons and those knotted gemstones are a great addition! Thanks for the link to the ring tutorial, I have been wanting to make rings.
Thanks for hosting & Happy Mother’s Day!
Oh Cindy what a beautiful necklace I love, love, love it. You could wear this one to the Queen’s Ball Be blessed to be a blessing
My first instinct was to say the gold and black but then I also spied the silvery bronzy looking buttons on the lower left group and thought, well, maybe those too! What you created is gorgeous and the photography is as well. I too am glad you modeled the necklace because it put it in perspective better, just looking at the photos alone it looked larger than life and it looks very beautiful and wearable on you! I am so sad that i couldn’t get it together fast enough to participate this year, maybe with a years’ notice i can do it next time! LOL. Happy Mother’s day, see you next week!
The necklace is so lovely. I love your wirework! What fun you and your helper had making the cute rings…my helpers tend to be the 4 legged variety! Love does make the world go round. Have a very Happy Mother’s Day and as always thanks for your friendship.
What great buttons. And a gorgeous necklace out of those Gold and Black. I love the focal and wirework. And your little helper is adorable. That mirror find is great. I know you’ll enjoy it hung on the wall as much as you enjoyed taking pictures of yourself in it. LOL I did get my piece finished and posted, but I only got one done with my back troubles this week. Thanks so much for letting me participate.
Cindy, amazing design!! That is totally my style. I would buy that in a nano second. I was thrilled to see a piece of me in there. In fact, I was unaware of the blog hop because I am traveling right now. I had an inquiry for some beads which is how I got here. I will spend today by the pool looking at all of the links in your post. Thanks. Talk soon.
Oh my Cindy, you’re little guy is as cute as a button:) Your necklace is stellar and I’m drooling all over my keyboard. I just love how the button flowers cascade down and your wire work is always amazing. Sandra’s beaded bead is pretty and perfect with the button flowers. We must be channeling each other, we both made rings, love it.
Cindy thank you so much for hosting this, it was a lot of fun! When is the next one. tee hee. Happy, Happy Mother’s Day
The details in your necklace are beautiful…right down to the slight swirl on the end of the wrapped, black briolet! Your pictures…stunning! I love every picture in your post today, but my favorite is the one of you and your little helper in the mirror! His smile just melts my heart!!!!!
I am speechless, Cindy! You designed such an absolutely gorgeous piece, and were so creative with your use of the buttons. I can’t wait to try out your idea for the ring! That rose button was just perfect for that. 🙂 I cannot thank you enough for organizing the Swap, and for being such a wonderful swap partner. Enjoy your Mother’s Day with your beautiful boy!! ?
Cindy, your necklace is so elegant! I love the gold and black color combination–such a timeless classic. The way you put all the components together amazes me.
Thanks for sharing the photos of you and your sweet boy, and also for hosting this wonderful blog hop!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Cindy, You made an incredible necklace with so many wonderful antique components. I marvel at how you got it to flow so beautifully and to be such a perfect fit for your neckline. It is gorgeous. I also love the ring and the wonderful pics of your little one. He is always so cheerful and looking full of fun. Thank you so much for hosting this wonderful event. I have enjoyed all off its stages from making buttons to send my swap partner Stacie Florer, to receiving hers and getting to know her, to deciding or having the buttons decide what I would make and today viewing all the beautiful creations the participants have made. You have begun a button Rennaissance. Thanks so much.
Such a rich looking necklace. Great buttons and fun swap. Thanks for hosting.
WOW! WOW! WOW!!! i am totally in love with your necklace! that mirror is quite a find also! Thank you soooooo much for hosting this swap!
WOW, that necklace is amazing! Love the vintage style, love the colors in it, just love it! And I’m really liking the button ring – I’ve been wanting to try making a ring, and so now I just might have to! Happy Mother’s Day, looks like your fun already started! He is way too cute … my helpers are coming up on teenagers and have become my models. I love my photo sessions with my little helpers!
You can see you are the hostess! Beautiful!!! A true show stopper! Love your mirror and your little honey. So sweet. Kim is so lucky! I love those buttons. I love the beaded bead in your necklace. My favorite part is the thin metal and black chain. Everything is awesome! Thank you for such a fun Blog Hop.!
Hi Cindy! You r post – gorgeous and adorable! What a cute munchkin you have!
The necklace is amazing. Its opulent and yet accessible, not too diva, you know? I can see it with a white tee and denim jacket as well as a little black dress. And thanks for the model shot – I always want to know how things lay/hang.
Loved this hop, thank you for the incentive to open up the button jar and delve inside.
Well done!!!!Beautiful work….
First of all I have to say a HUGE thank you for hosting and organizing this fantastic swap. As a button fanatic/collector I had such a blast!
Ok now onto drooling over that stunning necklace…it’s GORGEOUS! Such a statement piece and so glamorous but still I could totally see wearing it with a simple sundress or a v-neck t and some capri’s, LOVE that!
Looking forward to the next swap! 🙂
PS. That mirror is beautiful!
I knew you would completely blow me away! If I had 1/89th of your talent, I’d be happy! You’ll have to show us the back sometime so we can see how you connected things. All of your buttons are gorgeous … I have a large glass button similar to the purpley one but am clueless as to how to do it justice. And the story about the beautiful mirror is wonderful (as are all your pictures). I’m glad you’re going to make this an annual event!
beautiful creation!
Happy Mothers Day Cindy I hope You are having breakfast in bed! Absolutely gorgeous – love theose little black glass buttons they are one of my favs! So much yummy goodness in there and the mirror too. My youngest is also a camera hog he’ll take a picture anywhere!
I love that necklace ohlala! What fun! The mirror is pretty cool too and I love the picture of your son with the ring. I posted about the bracelets I made recently using my own buttons as my swap buttons still haven’t arrived.
Love what you did with your buttons. I also decided to make a ring out of one of mine. They are so much fun.
That necklace is divine, Cindy!! It’s really an eye-catching piece. I’m not surprised you made something so phenomenal though. I love your little added story about the mirror, the egg, and your husband. So sweet. As well, you and your little guy made a beautiful pair of rings.
Thanks so much for hosting the swap and hop. It really was a lot of fun!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Oh what a wonderful classic and shimmering necklace …..looks like it is made for a queen and that is what You are today:)
Queen of buttons!!!!
Thank You for hosting this event!!
that blue one looks like it will be a showstopper too 🙂
Your necklace is absolutely beautiful! I love the story about the mirror too. Your little guy is so cute! My little guy is going to be 5 next month and he loves all of mommy’s “beeeeeds” and “jewelereees!”
What a great idea this whole event was, Cindy. I’ve loved looking at everybody’s things and am getting all i-wanna-start-collecting-buttons. I no longer have room for even buttons but I want some! My mom had a great button box, inherited from her mom. I so wanted that thing! But a niece made off with it before I had a chance to stake my claim! HA. I love the story of the mirror and the egg. And I love falling in love all over again. Yesterday was our 28th anniversary and I told my Kent that I fall in love with all over again with some regularity. Now I’m near my daughter and my beloved 2 year old Ruby and I’m happier than ever! Your son is so adorable and generous. I love that he shares like that. Let’s arrange a marriage with him and Ruby! She’s also very sweet! HAHA! Congrats on this whole swap. Love your necklace. Enough of my rambling. Love to you, sweet Cindy!
I think the thing I love best about your work is that not only is it beautiful but you balance all the complexities of color, form and technique flawlessly. The black and gold play off the natural stone colors, add an interesting organic element to the formality of the buttons and then you go and mount them on vintage metal flowers! Sublime! And thanks for organizing such an interesting challenge– and Happy Mother’s Day! Your boys are so lucky to have you. PS Your share about you and your husband falling in love all over again– That’s the kind of personal sharing that makes a difference to me. I appreciate your willingness to be vulnerable.
OMG Cindy, that is one beauuuutiful necklace! I oopsied – I wrote my post early and scheduled it for the crack o’dawn this morning…..and I must have scheduled it for the wrong time, because it wasn’t yet up. Darn! It’s up now, though.
I’m signing up for the next button swap for sure! This one was so much fun! Thanks for bringing it all together Cindy!
I really love the necklace you created with your buttons! I used to only be a small-pendant-on-a-chain sort of girl, but now I’m finding I love things with more style and boldness to them. Your necklace says bold wonderfully, but also has a nice air of delicacy about it. It’s just gorgeous!
Thank you for hosting the swap Cindy! The necklace you created is stunning and your little guy is soooooooo adorable!
Beautiful projects! You received some inspiring buttons. Love this swap!
Cindy – thanks so much for organising! Your pices are simply gorgeous. I love the ‘vintage’ look you created – all the components fit so well together. This is def. something that I would wear – very beautiful!
That’s an incredible focal you created! I absolutely love it.
Cindy, your necklace is gorgeous and the rings are so sweet! I love that your son helps you out and he is such a cutie pie!
Thank you for hosting the button swap and blog hop! I had so much fun designing with the buttons that I received and I love visiting everyone’s blogs to see what they created.
Happy Mother’s Day!
I’m speechess Cindy ~ this is simply absolutely beautiful!
Hope you’re wearing it on your special day today… and that it was a beautiful one with your family.
Amazing and GORGEOUS!!!!! Wow!!!!!
See…my problem with using buttons is how do I hide the wire that attaches it to whatever it goes on…you said you used a bow-tie and I don’t even see that! Super craftsmanship, Cindy. I am totally blown away!
And love that mirror.
And the people in there…too cute 🙂
Absolutely stunning!!! You always come up with amazing pieces Cindy and the pictures of you and your son are adorable. Thank you so much for hosting this blog hop it was sooooooooo much fun, looking forward to next year.
Have a great mothers day!
What a luscious necklace! It definitely has a vintage feel to it with the black and gold. The ring is super sweet. Thank you so much for hosting and I definitely look forward to next year.
Cindy, your necklace is beautiful. I love the ring you made with your special helper Too! Thanks for hosting this event, it was great fun getting to swap with Birgitta from Sweden. xo
Cindy,
I love your button swap blog hop. I just started hopping…. Your jewelry designs are absolutely stunning. I too love photographing my work with old books, lace and vintage items. Your sweet photos with your studio helper made me smile! And the vintage mirror is incredibly beautiful!
🙂 Kris
What an amazing necklace. I have tons of filigree, I can’t wait to get started. Thank you so much for hosting, and giving me a little push to get started. So many wonderful idea’s on how to use buttons. Your pictures are also so a wonderful addition to your blog, it’s a good role model for a beginner like me!
See you at Artbliss
Wow I love that necklace, and that button that you made the ring with. Can’t wait to see what you do with the blue set.
Absolutely stunning necklace, and the photographs are particularly excellent. Thanks so much for hosting this fun event. I’m so happy to have made a new friend with my swap partner, and I’m finding all sorts of new blogs to follow during the hop.
Cindy, first of all let me thank you for organizing this swap and hop! It was such fun! And next, uhm, hello? WOW! All I’m gonna say.
Not really, because I just can’t 😉 That necklace is just amazing – the detail, the way the eye travels all over the piece, it’s just amazing. What a true feast for the eyes!
Love your creations! I’m going to have to make myself a ring!!
Thanks for hosting the button swap and blog hop! I’m having a blast!
I must say that I am truly amazed by the beautiful necklace made of buttons! It really is beautiful! Do you ever do tutorials? I would love to learn how to use buttons in some of my jewelry. My mom and grandma have had some beautiful buttons over the years. I guess my creative juices don’t flow like this. Because of some of the buttons it really has a victorian feel. You have peaked my interest and I think I will have to give this a try. Thanks so much for expanding my vision!
Thank you for hosting the Button Swap – so many beautiful designers and designs to take inspiration from!!
Your necklace is stunning – all of the beautiful details – amazing!! I love your ring – I’ll be sure to try the tutorial you suggested! I can’t wait to see what you create with the other beautiful buttons!
Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!!