Button Bouquet

I was asked by a special friend if I would create a button bouquet for her wedding in Jan..she wanted it to be very personal to her and wanted lots of specific items to be added to it..the base was to be a feather duster she had bought in Africa...

Photos, money and some other bits and pieces were sent in a bag...she didn't want them to be on view necessary, but just to know they were in there! So I had my work cut out to add some things like photos, this one ended up being wrapped around a note that I had made into a fan..

The bark came from a tree that belonged to a man whose funeral they had met at..so that was very special--I wrapped it in beautiful glittery beads, it really looked lovely..

there cant be many engagement rings like this one--the pink smiley face ring! I made it a necklace of pretty beads!

The sixpence has her birth year on it..and has another strong significance too...again I wired it with some pretty beads..there are champagne corks in there too..festival wristbands, all personal stuff.

I added some button flowers

the rose has another photo wrapped around the stem..

I added something blue, and another smiley face-a glittery one this time...some pretty brooches,

a few little special charms I had here,,

Its finished--not everyones taste but definatly the brides---her reaction today when she saw it almost had me in tears! She bloody loved it--

The handle has sari material around it and a beautiful silver bangle to finish it off..you couldnt get more personal if you tried --and nobody else will have one like it. After the wedding she can put in a vase and admire it forever!! I have enjoyed every minute of making this for her--her partner isnt going to see it until the day!

I made him a matching button hole...

Looks like I will have a few more to make to match too...she wants the witness's to have some like it too!

Christmas is coming...

Its been quite unbelievable how well I'm feeling these days--everything that used to be such an effort is now a pleasure to do..so when I knew Mum was at a loose end this weekend because my sister and her hubby were away looking at universities  with  son Rhys , we invited her and my nephew Charlie  round for dinner--and as everyone knows I love Christmas and the chance to have a Christmas dinner was too much! The smell of stuffing and bread sauce cooking made my mouth water ..Bill was star as always and did the majority of the preparing...

yummmmmmm

we were all stuffed after..all clean plates except me and Bill--eyes bigger than bellies as usual!

and you cant have Christmas dinner without the crackers!

As you will know -I have another string to my bow these days with creations made from buttons and beads...my latest addition to the range is Christmas heirloom baubles..this is the biggest in the range so far--12cm diameter..which doesn't sound that big but has over 400 buttons, 500 pearl pins and jewels on it! It makes quite a statement! I'm making a special page on my website at the moment where you will be able to purchase the button creations...should be up and running the next day or so..this one is called The Minstrel and costs £27.50

a close up of some of the detail..all of the buttons are vintage..

Bright and Beautiful is slightly smaller at10cm diameter and again has mainly vintage buttons--bright and beautiful buttons this time...£24.50

will look stunning in any home!

This one I must admit is my favourite--all vintage cream and mother of pearl buttons with silver ribbon and 4 beautiful red beads at the top..beautiful twinkly beads and pearl pins add to its beauty.10 cm diameter "Pearly Queen" is £25.50

They don't need to be hung on a Christmas tree to look their best--anywhere they will catch the light will be perfect for them...

I also make bridal bouquets from buttons and beads---this one shown is £125 all vintage buttons and beads...

all mother of pearl buttons and vintage diamante brooches..

there wont be another bouquet like this--each one is as individual as you are..

button holes can be made to match as can bridesmaids bouquets too..

and the blues and creams of this one--I can use the same buttons in the bouquet , groom and best mans button holes so they match..

love the red and black in this one..

completely unique..

Funky Christmas trees are something different too--this pink one has buttons and beads on it 23 cm high  and £18

close up detail...

I love this large Chrismas tree...30 cm high it has loads of buttons ,beads and twinkly bits on it..

a close up of the tree--as you can see it has a Made With Love  charm on it too...this one is £27.50--keep checking out my website to see the latest button and bead creations  www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Buttons and Beads

Well its been a while since I started playing with buttons and beads alongside the paintings!

I love the different colours and shapes you can get..

and its great fun creating the 'flowers'

I have got some bouquets finished now..

buttonholes made with buttons are great fun to--I will be making some to match all the bouquets...

I love searching out things I can use,

buttons of all shapes and sizes...

Vintage buttons are so beautiful,,,but involve quite a lot of work...they have to be washed and dried,sorted into colours and shapes..

I use vintage materials too, this hand made croqueted tablecloth had a few stains on it , but I was able to rescue some of the individual 'flowers; to use..

reminds me of sweets in a shop--these are just a small number of my buttons!

As well as button bouquets I will be creating other items--this is my first button bling Christmas tree--the photos don't do it justice..its bling at its finest!

buttons and jewels abound!!

One of my latest creations..a huge Button Butterfly suitable for a little girls room maybe?

And I'm really chuffed with my pink Christmas tree

I am working on a new website for the button side of the business--will post here when its up and running!In the meantime if there is anything you would like creating in buttons please contact me via my usual website www.paintingmyway.co.uk