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.

Blueberry and Spider

I made a couple of hair snaps today.  The first was this pair of Blueberry and White. Such a lovely fresh combination.

The next hair snap was this Halloween inspired Spider on a Pumpkin.  Last year I made a smaller version for the bobby pins that I also have in stock.  But I thought it would work better on a larger button.  I added a pair of red eyes too.

Both are available now in my etsy shop. 

The First in My New Range

I am rather excited to show you the first in my new range of necklaces.

They are all on silver chains (marked 925). This one is on 18" but I can order different lengths.  The hoops are handmade by me, using the technique from my dorset buttons.  I can use so many different colours that it will be a joy to make more.  So if you want to order one in your favourite colour, then please let me know.

I will be producing the hoops separately as well, so you can add to your necklace later one.

Available in my etsy shop , or you can contact me direct on bigbluebed@live.com. 

Button Wednesday - Gold Medal - aka Giant Button

I am not a sporty person - years of being picked last for the team events in school PE has left a fear of failure in my mind.  BUT I really enjoyed watching Andy Murray and his excellent opponents in the recent Wimbledon matches, and I am looking forward to the Olympics.  The torch comes past next Monday so we are getting up early to see it.

Anyway, in celebration of achievements everywhere I made this medal and have now listed it in my etsy shop.

It is of course a giant Dorset button made using metallic gold coloured thread.

So being as you are the best at being you, you might want to get one.

Get your gold medal here.

For more Button Wednesday loveliness go here.

New Button Set and Button Work in Progress

I have just finished a new set of buttons, which I have called 'Wave the Flag' which I thought rather appropriate for this year with the Queen's Jubilee and the olympics.

I am also working on some new sets. There is the 3 colour 'Candy Stripe' and the other two buttons both use gold thread (not real gold I am afraid). One is all gold, and the other has a single strand of gold sewn in with the dark blue.

I also have in mind another set which involves pink (again).

Jellyfish & Buttons

Day Seven (Monday 7th November 2011) - Making failure.  We left the house for the morning and went to town for Christmas present browsing. This was so our lovely plumber could put in the new radiator.  Our flat is tiny and 3 people in it would have been a nightmare.   In the evening I had an annoying headache and  made nothing. Sorry but I am not going to overly worry as there will be days when I can do nothing.

Day Eight - Rushed about this morning.  On our shopping trip yesterday I bought a voucher for my niece's 18th birthday.  My husband forgot to take it out of his bag and it went to work with him.  So I had to do a trip to get it back and give it to my niece.

 In the between times - I moved my sewing things from my daughter's bedroom where I dumped ..I mean stored them, back to lounge.

I also practised making this jellyfish in a bottle as I wanted to do it with the children at my work.

This is a really good thing to make.  The children enjoyed making them. Water everywhere. I still have blue fingers from the food colouring.  Great fun.

In the evening I made some Dorset Button Hair Clips.  I love playing with colour and seeing what would look good. I was going to make them with two different shades of green but then I found the pink!  I love pink and green.  A bit shocking and some may hate them. But I love them. They are now in my etsy shop.

I will try the two greens another time.