Handmade Buttons. Art Quilt Embellishment-Blue Bird.

I just love the EXTRA LARGE ceramic bluebird buttons I just added to my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/listing/72770409/ceramic-handmade-button-blue-bird. These are extremely large for a button and measure approximately 4 1/2" or 8.5 cm. Although these are too large to use to use on items that need to be opened and closed through a button hole I thought they would be a perfect embellishment for a home decor item such as a cushion or pillow or better yet - wouldn't they look wonderful on an art quilt. I am sure that there would be endless possibility for large buttons such as these. I just love the bright colours/colors and how the orange and yellow blend together. I'm not sure if I'll do more larger buttons but I am happy with how this experiment turned out. How would you use such a large button?

Custom Purse Charm made with my Handmade Button

In addition to the buttons I offer on website www.buttonsbyrobin.com I also do custom buttons on request. Here is a felt and fabric purse charm made with my handmade button in the centre/center. The designer of this charm sent me their image I made it into a button which matched the fabric they were working with. I love seeing all the beautiful and unusual things made with my buttons. They aren't just for clothing (although they do add a special touch to hand sewn items.)

Bird Sihouettes (Handmade Buttons)

I have an unexpected day or two off from my day job. The bad news is that I had to take a couple of vacation days because my fairly new (5 year old) house has sprung a leak in the roof so I have to be home for the roofers to come and make the repair. Unfortunately they didn't come today so I will have to stay home tomorrow as well as they say they may come then. I'm not happy about having to fix the roof but I am pleased we will be getting it fixed shortly. Because I had to be home I have a couple of extra days this week to work on my buttons so I'm making the most of this opportunity. I made these beautiful bright bird silhouette buttons http://www.etsy.com/listing/72481060/bird-silhouette-buttons-6-handmade that I absolutely love. I originally thought I'd use these images just for the silhouette and make some screens to screen print on clay which I've been experimenting with lately. When I saw them though they were so bright and cheerful and quite lovely in their simplicity that I decided to make them in my usual resin buttons. Having the extra day off from my day job today I was able to make some silk screens and I do plan to try screen printing them on clay in some of these bright colours/colors much like they are here. Having this extra day gave me the time to get the screens ready so that when I'm ready to work with the ceramic I will have the screens ready. If it doesn't rain tomorrow I will be taking the day off as well and hopefully the roofers will come and I can continue to work on some more beautiful buttons. I guess this is what they say is "making lemonade out of lemons". Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone - the Easter long weekend will be here shortly and hopefully you will have an extra day or two to do something enjoyable for yourself as well.

Handmade Buttons (Ceramic Rabbit Buttons)

I am very fortunate to have my buttons selected for quite a few different Etsy treasuries. These adorable bunny buttons can be found in this "Mint and Chocolate" treasury here http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4da99db197126d91013398b1/mint-and-chocolate-in-my-easter-basket. I love these. They turned out really well and I can't wait to make more ceramic buttons.

Handmade Buttons. New Ceramic Bird Silhouette Buttons.

I've been having a lot of fun lately working on my ceramic buttons. These ceramic bird buttons http://www.etsy.com/listing/71951090/handmade-buttons-ceramic-bird-silhouette are some of my latest creations. These are on a peachy pink background. I love how they turned out. They're a bit shabby chic and distressed looking. The bird image is fused into the ceramic so it won't come off - it is part of the glaze/glass covering the buttons. I've been experimenting with screen printing, painting and laser transfers as well as other options and am having a blast! The only thing with ceramic buttons is that you have to have patience. You have to make the shape then wait and let it dry which takes several days to a week. You then have to bisque fire so you get the plain button with no glaze. Then you have to glaze and fire and sometimes glaze and fire again depending on how many colours you want and the effect you're going for. This little work of art was fired four times. This means lots of planning in advance and lots of waiting for various stages of firing, drying, glazing, waiting, drying, firing, firing and more waiting. That means no instant gratification with these but I think the wait is worth it.

I'm still continuing on with my resin buttons which make up the majority of Buttons By Robin but I've decided to expand and see what I can come up with. The possibilities are endless and I'm so excited to see what I can come up with. I'm self taught with all of this so am finding my way around the Internet and incorporating other techniques with the formal ceramics techniques. I think that being self taught is a wonderful opportunity to find new ways of doing things because if you don't know you're not supposed to do something you go ahead and try and sometimes you discover something new and exciting. On the other hand sometimes you find out why others before you haven't done it either as it turns into a mess. But that's the fun of experimenting. Have fun with what you do and don't be afraid to experiment a little. Do remember to always be safe though with what you try so if you're not sure its safe don't do it!

Exciting Destinations for My Handmade Buttons!

These buttons are off to Maryland in the US. How exciting to think about all the destinations that my buttons have been shipped to. Other packages are also being prepared to go to the North West Territories and to Norway! I wonder what these buttons will be when they grow up? Will they adorn hand knit sweaters, clothing, cards or maybe some adorable button jewelry/jewellery or hair accessories! Oh the possibilities with buttons!

Handmade Buttons. Duck buttons for Easter.

I think these buttons would be great for Easter http://www.etsy.com/listing/70734902/handmade-buttons-bright-yellow-duck but they aren't so Easter-specific that they would be out of place any time. These bright yellow ducks would be a very cute adornment on your handmade hair accessory or for that super cute spring outfit that you've made for someone special. I keep telling myself that I'm going to learn to sew one day. You'd think with all the buttons I make that I'd put them to good use but the thing is I rarely use them on things for myself. I really need to get sewing or at least adding buttons to my own items to spruce them up a bit. Happy Easter everyone - it will be here before you know it!

Handmade Button Rings - Peter Pan Button Rings.

I love it when people send me images of things they've made with my buttons. Aren't these Peter Pan button rings made by Etsy user marthamilln beautiful! People are so creative and it's really nice to see my buttons in things besides clothing. Of course they're great on clothing and knit items but for those of us (like myself) who don't sew these show a wonderful way to use these buttons for other applications. Thanks marthamilln for sharing your wonderful creations with me. Here are the buttons on my Etsy shop so you can see them before they were turned into these adorable creations! http://www.etsy.com/listing/70045306/large-peter-pan-handmade-buttons-10?ga_search_query=Peter%2BPan&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5376608

Etsy Treasury - Dandelion- with my handmade buttons.

My handmade buttons in this beautiful dandelion design are in this beautiful Etsy treasury which honours/honors the lowly dandelion! Click on the link and take a look to see how beautiful the dandelions can be http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d9731e92bb68eefe4466896/dandelion#4d978385f9096d91cddbf48c

Handmade Buttons - Ceramic Dragonfly Buttons

Well after a wet snow yesterday it seems as if spring might actually be starting to peak her head out. It is supposed to be a warm weekend and I'm looking forward to a day spent with hubby. We are going to the trendy downtown area where we live and will spend the day wandering around bead stores, art supply stores and the fashion district. What a good husband he is to spend the day doing all these wonderful things with me. In celebration of spring I thought I'd post a picture of my newest ceramic dragonfly buttons. I'm teaching myself the ceramic button process and with some bumps and bruises along the way things are starting to come together. I've got lots to learn and I'm also experimenting with some big ideas of my own. Sometimes I think not having formal training in an art is a good thing. That way you aren't afraid to think outside the box because you don't really know what being "in the box" means as you don't know the formal rules. Now don't get me wrong I've been reading up on the process and I've been working with fused glass for a while so I know my way around a kiln. Some of my earlier glazing processes weren't what I had hoped for so I'm really pleased that the last few sets of buttons have been something I'm very pleased with. I guess I can only improve with time. I hope you enjoy these buttons http://www.etsy.com/listing/71298072/handmade-buttons-dragonfly-buttons-2. I have some custom orders to complete of my resin buttons this weekend but I hope to experiment with my ceramics a bit more as well. Have a great weekend everyone.