The Button Project

I am very happy to be taking part in The Button Project.  Part of the Barnaby Festival, The Button Project  is a stunning exhibition of nearly 300 unique buttons made by artists from all over the world. Crafted from materials as varied as felt, resin, glass and gold, these little works of art will be set alongside Macclesfield Museum’s acclaimed silk costume collection at the Heritage Centre in Macclesfield.  All buttons are for sale.

I will share with you the press release

'The Button Project - a stunning exhibition of over 300 contemporary handmade buttons - is taking shape, as buttons start to arrive from all over the world. From Australia to Norway, and all over the UK, artists and makers are translating their work into buttons for this exciting new event.

Artists were asked to work within the constraints of traditional button sizes and fixing methods, but from there, their imagination was free to roam.  Each button is a miniature work of art in its own right and highly collectible.

The Button Project is intended to serve as a celebration of the heritage of the area, which began with the silk button. The dynamic buttons come from craft practitioners and artists at the top of their field, plus our rising stars and many who make just for the love of it. They will be showcased effortlessly alongside the silk costume collection at Macclesfield’s Heritage Centre from June 14 to August 8 2013.  Plus there will be related displays at the nearby Silk Museum showing treasures of the behind-the scenes button collections, and a lively button-making workshop for kids.

The museum curator, Annabel Wills, says

“It has been wonderful to see how our contemporary makers have responded to the historic collections at Macclesfield. A real feast of talent and inventiveness.”

From precious metals and traditional silk buttons, to glass, felt, enamels and recycled materials; the creativity from makers has been diverse and eye-catching, with The Button Project’s youngest contributor being just 11 years old. The project will be launched at, and will form part of the programme for, the Barnaby Festival, Macclesfield’s summer festival of contemporary arts, culture and fun, taking place in June. Both look set to be events not to be missed.'

The Button Project15 June  - 8 August 2013

is  14 June, 6-9pm

The Heritage Centre, Macclesfield

You can see some of the buttons here on Victoria Scholes' blog , and here is a list of the artists who are taking part.

I was unsure what type of button to make, I mean obviously I was going to do  a dorset button but what would it look like.  In the end I surprised myself by concentrating on colour.  In the exhibition there are gorgeous dorset buttons which use intricate stitches and I am not sure I would be able to do lovely work like that so I am glad that I made the button I did.

My inspiration was the 'eye' of a peacock's tail and here it is, next to a photo of the inspiration.

If you are able, do visit the exhibition. If not then feast your eyes on some the beautiful buttons.

Mini Amigurumi - Book Review

Mini Amigurumi by Sara Scales

I was very happy to be sent this book to review as I do love amigurumi.   I am not a natural crocheter, but have been a knitter since a child and have taught myself crochet in the last few years.   Everytime I return to crochet after a few months break I have to more or less re-learn how to do it.  But I do enjoy crochet and I love amigurumi as I can crochet, crochet, crochet and often there is little sewing up (which I hate!).

This book has patterns for lots of mini creatures and hearts, and toadstools.  I thought I would try one of the simplest things plus I only had one colour of thread to use! 

The smallest crochet hook I had was 2mm, and the book does recommend 1mm and uses 1mm for its patterns. However, there is a really good and useful Techniques section which gives the photos of the sizes if you used different hooks and yarn, so you can use whatever size you want it just will not be as mini.   The mini things can be used in jewellery and do look very sweet as earrings, brooches or on keychains.

The one thing I would ask is that book writers and pattern writers please tell me where to put my hook to  make a stitch, and (forgive me if Sara Scales the author did and I just did not notice) I had to look it up on the internet.

Amigurumi Dog from Mini Amigurumi by Sara Scales

Amigurumi Dog from Mini Amigurumi by Sara Scales

Rear View of Amigurumi Dog from Mini- Amigurumi by Sara Scales

I did have to do some sewing up and it was not horrible at all as all I had to add were ears and a tail to my little dog. But I enjoyed the whole thing so much that I plan to make a little bear next and he has more things to sew on.  I am very happy with the results and the little dog is very sweet.  I was surprised by how much I enjoyed using such a small hook and thin thread.  Now armed with more thread I hope to make more. I can recommend this book as the patterns and great fun and the instructions easy to understand.  I think some previous crochet experience will be needed but not much.

Fun at the Boutique Market

After weeks of sorting, cleaning, and sewing buttons on card (and other preparations) the day for the market came.

 My helpers - my sister and my daughter playing on the DS.  But it was before the start (as we got there extra early).

And what a good day it was.   I sold lots, mostly vintage so I am definitely looking for more.  It was lovely to chat to customers and fellow stall-holders. Lots and lots of people came.

I am looking forward to next time.

Pigs in Tweed

In my last post you saw one of my new pocket pigs, so tiny they sit happily on top of a cotton reel, or in your pocket. Here are all of them, so far:

They are all made from the same pattern (my own) but due the the different fabrics and their own innate pigginess, they have different looks and character.

Green pig is quite slim and perky.

As the oldest, Brown and Mustard Pig is a bit wise.

Purple Pig is a bit plump and frivolous.

All pigs are available now in my etsy shop.  

Same but Different

I was lucky enough to be given some tweed and there were two colours that I love working with. So much so that I have made different things out of them:

Available from my etsy shop now.

Honing My Craft

What an interesting word 'Honing' is.  Is sounds odd as it rolls on your tongue.

'Hone' means 'sharpen on a whetstone' - so it means giving a sharp edge to a tool.   My tool, I suppose, is my needle and my fingers. And if I 'give them a fine edge' it means I am making my skills better and better.

I was looking at my flickr page, this morning. I have a set 'Dorset buttons' and there right at the bottom is one of the first buttons I ever made.  Here it is:

It is off-centre and the stitches are wonky.  Compare it with these which are the same size, more or less:

and these which are much smaller:

I am getting better. I am honing my skills, sharpening the old metaphorical tool on the old metaphorical whetstone.

It is good to look back and then look forward.

Button Hair Snap Mosiac

I made this mosaic in Big Huge Labs, they have some great things to play with so pop along and have a look.

This is an example of some of the custom colour Dorset Button Hair snaps that I have made for people.  People ask for a colour, or colours, and I have fun looking for them, make a button, show them the finished button usually on flickr, and then when they are happy I made up the hair snaps.

So if you are thinking of getting your own hair snaps from me, then this is a good idea of the colours you can use. Of course as I use, Anchor or DMC thread, there are hundreds of colours you can choose from.

You can order from me here via etsy   or via folksy 

New Headbands

I have just listed some of the head bands.  Each one is individually cut and sewn by me.

Here is a quick view of them.

Yes, my model is a very cheeky girl. Also quite patient while her mamma takes shot after shot.

The last headband is available in two colourways so far. I haven't listed it tonight but will do tomorrow.

All available from my etsy shop.