Button charm

The final swap I did for Birdsong Two was 16 charms which we sent ahead to the hostess so she could create a necklace for each of us.

I decided to create mine with buttons!  I used mother of pearl buttons, china buttons, glass buttons, metal buttons, and 16 matching, finely pressed medallion buttons.

I designed them into little dangles, or chandeliers, each with three different vintage buttons.

I added a beautiful antique glass aurora borealis bead that had belonged to my grandmother to each; and then used some Czech glass beads and some pearls for other elements.

It was a lot of fun, and gave me some good practice for bending findings which I will have put to good use at Birdsong Two, as one of the projects is a gorgeous necklace we build from scratch!

I can't wait to show you this finished charm necklace from the swap -- as well as the one I made at the event!

Here's a gift I made for Beth Leintz, one of the Birdsong Two teachers; she has a little terrier named Button..

so I thought this antique card with amber glass buttons was just perfect for her!  I framed it in an antique, velvet-backed frame.

I dug deep into some of my treasured buttons to make this card for Lisa McIlvain, another Birdsong Two teacher.  I didn't realize she loved buttons like she does, so I had to treat her!  The largest one on top is heavy metal with huge rhinestones -- it is swoonworthy!  I also included a clear glass shell-shaped button, and some choice old plastics, plus a heavy milk glass button with chipping gold paint.  The one at the very top is a very old crocheted silk button that was made to be fastened to a fur stole!

Stay tuned for photos and news from the event itself!