Sunday, February 5, 2012

DIY Vintage Button Bracelet


This is my first blog post in over a year! One of my New Year's Resolutions was to try to post a few fun projects during 2012--so here goes!
A few weeks ago I fell in love with an idea I saw on Pinterest--making a button bracelet.
Well, you see, I have a HUGE vintage button collection, so what better way to display some of them--right?
Here's my first attempt a made not long ago which incorporates turquoise rhinestone buttons that came from an estate sale--I remember purchasing the 2pc suit just for the buttons. The rest of the bracelet was fashioned using crystal faceted beads from a necklace which I rarely wore.



OK--Let's back up a few years ago. Below is a stretch bracelet I made from vintage buttons. Many of which came from the estate sale of Bea Haney, a local business woman who had an exclusive upscale dress shop here in Abilene during the late 1950's to 1970's, maybe even longer. I could never afford to shop there, but I grabbed up buttons from her estate sale!



I really was a little afraid to wear that bracelet for fear that it might break and I might lose many of the precious buttons. Today, I finally decided to take it apart and redesign a new vintage button bracelet.

Step 1
I started with this gold tone John Wind charm bracelet. I have fallen in love with his designs! I purchased my first John Wind trinket in Lubbock, TX at Hollyhocks early last Fall. I was super thrilled when I found this gold-tone bracelet online at Carol and Company!




Step 2
I chose several buttons with shanks, along with those from the "Bea Haney Bracelet" and auditioned them for placement on the bracelet.



Step 3
Using lots gold-tone split rings I connected each button to the bracelet, making sure to close each loop securely. It really took very little time, once I had picked out the buttons I wanted to incorporate. Here is the finished result:





I think I'll make another one during the Super Bowl this evening!
Enjoy!



12 comments:

cathy.littleton said...

Love it! Very creative:)

Momma Goddess Treasures said...

So pretty! Love it. Thanks for sharing.

Suzanne in TX said...

Thanks, Cathy and Trudi!

Jeannie (wvcutiebowtootie) said...

Soooo Beautiful, love your bracelets!

Jeannie (wvcutiebowtootie) said...

Soooo Beautiful, love your bracelets.

danielle said...

Fabulous creations - will you sell them? I've added your bracelets to my style on Pinterest. People will be asking soon...

Suzanne in TX said...

Danielle--I'm thinking about offering a pet necklace version. What do you think?

Susan said...

it is great to see you blog again.. I found pinterest too, don't you just love it.. lol
Your bracelets are lovely very nice.
Hugs
Susan

Nancy Pace Art said...

Cute as a button Suzanne! I love vintage buttons too:) nice post!

Ruth said...

Thanks for sharing Suzanne! What a beautiful piece you made! Love it!

Unknown said...

Wowsers. That is awesome Suzanne. You are so creative AND a good online teacher too. Call me next time you are in Lubbock. :-)

jackie wake marangos said...

These are lovely thank you so much for sharing.