CRAFTY CORNER

AS CUTE AS A BUTTON

By Sewsouk

Button

a small fastener securing two pieces of cloth. The button goes either through a cloth or thread loop or through a button hole in the fabric

Usually now made of plastic but also of metal, shell, fabric, yarn, wood and pottery.

There are three main types of attachment

shank- an attachment to the button which has a hole through which the thread is passed so it can be sewn onto the garment or object

sew through 2 or 4 holes in the button.

stud buttons which are usually metal pressed through the fabric and used particularly on jeans and denim jackets

Buttons can be a work of art and can be highly decorative.

Historically early buttons were used as ornaments or seals rather than as fasteners. Earliest examples are about 5000 years old and made of shell . Buttons from 2600BC have been found in China and ancient Rome.

Artisans make buttons and also they are factory manufactured.

Nowadays there are many forms of buttons:-

metal, embroidered, passementarie, lacquered,enamelled,woven, painted, ceramic, jewelry making, printed, fabric covered, knotted and crocheted.

Buttons are usually used on clothing but also on bags and containers.

Artisans not only make buttons they use them in interesting ways.

HHU Team Button Lovers

HHU team love using and making buttons in so many interesting and different ways. Here are just a few


FabricGreetings.

Fabric uses buttons to add colour, 3 dimensions, texture . She uses buttons in interesting shapes on her beautiful fabric greetings cards and ACEOS. She even incorporates them into the subject of the picture to wonderful effect.































Jeanie Bean Handknits uses buttons on her hats, cowls,phone and ipad cases. I love the way she chooses the shapes, colours, patterns and materials of her buttons to offset the texture and colours of her chunky knits to perfection.






















Sewsouk that's me!

I make knotted and crochet fibre buttons to traditional Moroccan designs and also soutache buttons. These can be used in textile jewelry but a few look wonderful on plain fabric as an unusual fastener. I use mother of pearl and shell buttons in textile jewelry to add texture and subtle sparkle.
























Womanwithtools incorporates beautiful vintage buttons into her jewelry pieces- She cleverly manages to make her pieces so they don't look like a button appendage but an integral part of the jewelry





















Nouveaux Retro . She is so knowledgeable about vintage buttons. She is a collector and sells amazing collections of vintage buttons in her vintage shop. Crafty corner are hoping she will write a feature for us soon about vintage buttons.
































NancyEllenStudios uses interesting buttons on many of her fabric designs. I love the way she uses buttons on these cushion covers


































Headchange makes beautiful wooden buttons. I love the grains on her larger buttons. These have so many uses and are a wonderful must have supply.


































KarinSF. Karin uses buttons to perfection in such a subtle way highlighting the quality pieces she makes. I love her fabric covered buttons on this top ... and the buttons on this cowl.

Team Spotlight! Lafe's Hidden Treasures!

Today we happily introduce you to Nancy of Lafe's Hidden Treasures! Look at these great place mats! A little slice of Americana!


1. Your name, nickname and a little about who you are

Nancy Davis, I don’t really have a nickname as an adult but as a child I was called “Gabby.” Not sure why though! Lol

Today I am a different person than a few years ago. Life is not always as you expect it to be. Raised as a farm girl in rural Ohio all of my life, a farmer’s daughter. Even though I moved to a small hometown, my heart is still on the farm.

I am not much of a social butterfly like I used to be but feel really comfortable on the computer.


2. Surprise us with something about you that you think will shock us!

Not sure I have anything that is shock worthy! I used to play piano and sing in a Gospel group. We were together about 4 or 5 years. I love to ride on Mike’s Gold Wing, we ride everywhere we can think when it is nice. I also do some public speaking in high schools, driving schools and some court related sessions for teens. My content is “Choices.” When you get behind the wheel of a vehicle the choices you make last a lifetime and it’s their choice to speed, drink and drive, etc. Prom week is busy for me. Hopefully one teen will listen. In addition I do public speaking about Domestic Violence too. I could keep full time with my speaking if I wanted to travel all the time.


3. What is your main craft/art/collectible?

Vintage, vintage and more vintage! Not only am I obsessed with vintage it seems to be a part of me also. I have always been fascinated with “junk” as most people call it. To me vintage is a part of history and my part of “recycling.” I also enjoy doing digital graphics.


4. How did you start with Etsy?

A friend of mine from Kansas was raving about these sites and one of them was Etsy. I explored every inch of Etsy and thought, “Wow, this is totally me!” My Mom made a few Annie dolls and the rest just fell into place.


5. Any secrets to share for success? or What tool do you use to track your success?

I don’t consider myself successful yet. I am succeeding but not at the pace I intend on going. I use Web Analytics, lots of Google SEO reads, Etsy Storque and Timothy Adams blog. Not to mention other members of this group have really educated us.


6. Hobbies or pastime when you are not doing Etsy.

Not doing Etsy?? Is there such a thing? I do graphics, work in yard in warm weather, walk, and just be a daughter and other half to Mike.


7. Where would your dream vacation be? and why

Springtime in the Smoky Mountains, so beautiful! My dream vacation would be Greece, it is so gorgeous there and the water looks so cool and calming.


8. What do you hope to contribute and gain from Hearts and Hands United?

As far and Hearts and Hands United which has the most amazingly beautiful members, I want to do what I can to help. I try to network the team with blog and Facebook and I write Tuesday Tools for the our blog. The rewards of being a member of this team far outweigh anything I can contribute. So much help, information, understanding and the list goes on.


9. Where can we find you?

Your shop address - http://www.etsy.com/shop/LafesHiddenTreasures
Blog Address - http://lafeshiddentreasures.blogspot.com/
Facebook address - http://www.facebook.com/lafeshiddentreasures
Twitter
Flickr address


10. Where do you draw your inspiration from? Your strength?

My inspiration comes to me from several sources and sometimes I draw it from my inner being. Inspiring things are among us all the time we just need to take the time to recognize them as an inspiration. My family, my wild imagination, my faith and other Estians. God blesses me often.