Cooler Weather and Winter Themed Handmade Buttons

The weather is getting cooler so it's making me start to think of the upcoming winter weather (as much as I hate to do that).  Oh well if you can't beat the cold weather I can at least make some buttons in bright and cheerful colours/colors to help cheer up the dreary and cold winter days and nights.  I must say I do love these beautiful cardinal buttons http://www.etsy.com/listing/84084955/bird-buttons-cardinal-on-branch-handmade.  These have just been listed in my Etsy shop.  They really want me want to get out the knitting needles and knit something up.  The sad truth is I don't have much patience for knitting but I do admire those who do.  I can do a few basic knitting stitches but rarely finish a project.  I hope these buttons inspire you to pick up a project to start to fill those long winter evenings.

Finding The Creative Muse

No pictures today.  I'm feeling a little blah.  I'm off from the day job this week and had all the intentions in the world to create, create, create and yet I don't really feel like it.  I'm having some success with my buttons and I really appreciate it but for some reason I'm just not in the mood to make buttons these days.  At least not my resin buttons.  I think it's a combination of having a couple of packages go missing and some technical difficulties.  These are all part and parcel of business and of creating but for some reason it's really having an impact on my wanting to create.  I'm pushing through and continuing on but I'm also turning this into a positive and using this as a reason to rethink my direction.  I have been making some ceramic buttons and jewellery pieces this week though.  With ceramics there is no immediate gratification but I am looking forward to firing up the kiln maybe tomorrow to see how they turn out.  I've got lots of ideas and am learning as I go.  I've never taken a ceramics class but have read lots of books, completed lots of Internet research and watched lots of videos.  The problem with ceramics is that when things don't turn out it is extra disappointing because there is so much time invested in it.  Well wish me luck as I sit back and work on some fun projects and wait for my creative muse to reappear.

Halloween Owl Handmade Buttons.

I keep telling myself I need to stop with the Halloween buttons.  I really have enough on my Etsy site www.buttonsbyrobin.com.  I mean really how many Halloween buttons can someone use.  What do you use Halloween buttons for anyway?  Despite my trying to be rational about it I just love these Halloween designs so when I found these images I couldn't resist so here they are http://www.etsy.com/listing/80204614/halloween-buttons-halloween-owl-handmade.  Halloween is fast becoming a very popular holiday.  I find myself drawn to it more and more.  When I was young it was just the one day.  You dressed up at school in your costume and then went out for candy that night but other than that not a big deal.  Now my neighbourhood is fully decorated and people seem to get right into the "spirit" - no pun intended.  I guess it's just a simple holiday with no big expenses associated with it and no big expectations.  Perhaps that's the appeal - oh and all the spooky creatures that come out that time of year as well!  Happy Halloween all.

Large Dragon Sewing Buttons (Handmade Buttons)

Finding images that work for boys seems to be more of a challenge than it is to find images for girls or for women.  Maybe I'm just more drawn to those images (being a girl and all :) ) but seriously even with clothing it's much easier to find cute things for girls.  I have a son so I know what I'm talking about.  Boys want to be stylish as well and I think these dragon buttons have just the right amount of masculine appeal and cuteness!  They can be found here http://www.etsy.com/listing/79075379/dragon-handmade-buttons-5-large-sewing.  The buttons pictured here are my larger size but I've also made them in the 3/4" (2 cm) and 1/2" (1.5 cm) sizes.  I've heard from my customers that they like variety.  The ones in the picture are 1" or 2.5 cm and would probably be good to decorate pillows or maybe along the tops of curtains in a nursery.  They sure are cute and not too frightening for the little ones!

Christmas Owl Hair Clip - made with my handmade button

I'm loving these handmade flower hair clips.  I've used my handmade owl button and a pattern I purchased from another Etsy seller Precious Patterns to make the flower.  I've listed it in my Etsy


http://www.etsy.com/listing/78918896/christmas-owl-hair-clip-made-with-my.  If you'd like to use my buttons to make your own hair accessories for sale of just for fun that's fine with me.  I love seeing my buttons on your items.

Back to School Handmade Buttons

Okay don't tell the kiddos but it's time to start thinking back to school.  I know....it's still July but September and back to school will be here before we know it.  If you're going to be making something special for that little one for their first day of school or for their first day of school in the new year then these buttons will add a perfect touch http://www.etsy.com/listing/78467161/back-to-school-handmade-buttons-set-of.  This set of handmade buttons includes all sort of school supplies and brings back memories of going out purchasing all those brand new supplies.  Even now (although I'm way past school age) when I see those piles of pristine supplies in the stores it makes me want to go out and purchase them.  Maybe these will satisfy that urge.  I'm also thinking that I might take a set of these and make them into zipper pulls.  They could then be attached to back packs, lunch boxes and pencil cases and act as a ready identifier so that it would be easy to tell your child's items from all similar items.  The back is plain white so if you took a magic marker you could even add a name or phone number.  How cute would that be!

My Handmade Button Promotional Video on You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKYIQvxnTwU

My hubby took some of my button pictures and made this video of my buttons.
Thanks sweetie!