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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Button Swap Blog Hop

Button Swap Bracelets

Hi and welcome to the Button Swap Blog Hop hosted by Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio! My swap partner was Sharon Borsavage of Livewire Jewelry. She sent me a generous collection of beautiful buttons and I love them all. To see the full stash, visit my previous post. Well, as you can see, I'm still on the bracelet bandwagon from a few weeks ago. What can I say, bracelets are the thing this year! I created 3 bracelets with individual buttons from my swap collection. I used two of my favorites from the vintage selection and one handmade ceramic button by Mary Harding

Aren't these vintage buttons amazing? Sharon sent me some extra special beauties. They are precious little gems. I wanted to create simple designs that would allow the fantastic buttons to really stand out and be the stars of the show. The bracelets are made with colorful Irish waxed linen cord and antiqued brass beads. I really like how these turned out. I thought of our button swap host while I was creating them. Hey Cindy Wimmer, these are for you! :) Both bracelets were made using different braiding techniques.

Americana Queen
This red one is a six-strand flat braid with small brass beads incorporated. The braid looks much more complicated than it is! I love this vintage pearl button with a rhinestone inset. Gives the bracelet a fancy, regal look fit for any antiquing queen out on the hunt. ;)

Shiran
This purple bracelet is a Kumihimo round braid. Kumihimo is a Japanese braiding technique. I've been admiring the technique for some time now. I finally got a chance to use my Kumihimo loom disc and I love it! I think I might be hooked. The name Shiran is a type of Japanese orchid. I really enjoyed making this. The button is just phenomenal! A vintage brass filigree button with a mirrored back. It's kinda tough to see in the picture, but it's got a shiny, reflective backing that can be seen through the openwork at the top of the button. Stunning.
May Flowers 
And last, but not least, I created this feminine, Springtime bracelet with soft colors pulled from the floral impression button. I made my signature multi-strand, button & loop bracelet with a handmade button by Mary Harding.  Mary creates beautiful ceramic jewelry components from various botanical impressions. Visit her website to see more of her incredible work.

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy Mother's Day! 

Relax, enjoy the day and have fun blog hopping...


 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)

28 comments:

  1. I love the simple elegance of your knotted pieces....they look quite complicated to me! I like that they have they can hold their own...and yet don't overpower the gorgeous buttons. I like them all but the red one is my favourite.
    Jenni

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  2. What darling bracelets--all of them! I love the bright colors!

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  3. I love your macrame pieces and also love all the layers in the May Flowers bracelet. beautiful work!

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  4. Stacking yumminess!!! Beautiful braiding and colors!

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  5. Ooooh, I like all three! Loving your macrame work ... been meaning to give that a try! Just beautiful

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  6. I do so love getting to see your creations. They are always fresh and full of style! I just learned kumihimo a couple of months ago. I am also thrilled with it, and am excited to explore it further. The colors you chose are wonderful, and I especially like seeing Mary's button, since she's giving one away! :)

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  7. You are SO GOOD at using buttons as clasps -- I can never, ever get the loop right. I hope you have a tutorial for that in your book (which I have pre-ordered and can't wait for!).

    These are ALL beautiful.

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  8. I really love the way you used the beads and buttons on the pink n purple bracelet. Nice work.

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  9. Erin, I just knew I was going to love what you shared today when I saw your sneak peek the other day! What I noticed right away was all of the beautiful color! The bracelets look fabulous grouped together....but then I went back to admire each one individually. "Americana Queen" - what a fitting name with the vintage button clasp and the patriotic red linen cord! This braid looks so complex and must have taken forever to create...picking up the little antiqued brass beads as you went. And if you remember my lack of attention when I was making my hoop earrings in your class, you can imagine what sort of tangent I would have gone off on while attempting a precise pattern like this! The Shiran bracelet happens to feature a style of antique button that I love with the mirror back. The Kumihimo braid looks so intricate and really makes a show-stopping finished bracelet! I love it! Your May Flowers bracelet is beautiful...I'm looking at the complex construction and can't figure it out! I think I am lost after just one strand! Erin, I sure enjoyed your show and tell and would be proud to wear any of these amazing pieces!! :-)

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  10. I need to learn that technique!! Beautiful!!

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  11. Oh, I think these are very pretty indeed. Especially that last one - so yummy and it just screams summer!!

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  12. Erin! wooow You are the bracelet queen for sure!
    Those are all very beautiful and easy to wear every day
    The buttons stand out in the design just as You want them to
    and the blend of colors just perfect LOVE them all :)

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  13. The bracelets are gorgeous. I love that you allowed the buttons to be the stars in each one. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  14. Super cute bracelets. I love kumihimo, but I've yet to fina a way to meld it with my style. You did a wonderful job with it!

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  15. Erin, as always, your work is lovely! All three bracelets are just beautifully simple, and the buttons are definitely the eye catchers.

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  16. Gorgeous colors Erin! Those buttons really work perfectly as the focal clasp for your bracelets. Beautiful as always!

    Tracy

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  17. I am glad you are still on the braclet/bangle mode.....what fun they all are!

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  18. All three of your bracelets are lovely. I really like that you did focus on making the buttons shine in these pieces. Your braiding techniques are fabulous! One of my local bead shops has been teaching Kumihimo for a few months now and you are totally making me want to take the class! ;)

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  19. Wow! I mean... wow! My mind is boggled at the breading techniques. I have no concept of how those are done - and I love them. THey are so you! The last one with Mary's ceramic button is a stunner. I could see piling the other style on in multiples...;-D

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  20. Erin - your bracelets are just gorgeous! My favourite would have to be the 'American Dream' - love the colours and the button you used as the clasp!

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  21. All three bracelets turned out so cute. I really like the way you used the buttons as the clasp.

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  22. What lovely buttons, and such lovely bracelets!!! I especially love the third one, though-- the colors are dynamite together-- I'll have to remember that combination of brights and pastels :)

    So glad that I got to play along with you on this swap/challenge/hop. See you around! <3

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

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  23. I love your bracelets and your weaving is beautiful. Great job.

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  24. All three are beautiful! I love the braided bracelets, especially the red one!

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  25. Those are wonderful buttons and I love the bracelets. Especially the last one, but they are all really pretty.

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  26. Love your bracelets and designs! Beautiful!!

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  27. Wonderfully designed! I am still getting around to everyone but so enjoying all the incredible artists. Your bracelets are adorable!!!

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