Blogger was all pre-menstrual again yesterday – I wasn’t able to comment on any blogs for a while or even log into mine, so I went off in a strop to find my glue-gun. [The choice of the crap crafter. Also my superhero weapon.]
And now I’m feeling quite pleased with myself. I love jewellery, and have managed to create a host of new pretties to wear, costing mere pennies. Earlier in the week I’d decided to glue a brooch pin to the back of a domino, and dizzied with the success of this 15 second project, decided to take the plunge into making rings. Yes, I actually glued things to ring bases. Vintage buttons, to be precise. The Comtesse de Ferveur mentioned one a friend had made her, and it was a light-bulb moment. I’d do a tutorial, but this is advanced craft of the most challenging kind, I’m not sure you knitters and dressmakers would get your heads around its complexities *smirk*
Obligatory arty Etsy style shot
But seriously, they’re quite cool, don’t you think? The only effort involved is when the buttons have a shank, as you need to remove this before you glue it to the ring base. The black plastic button I attacked with a hacksaw, and the vintage metal anchor button took pliers. Then I used sandpaper to get the back as smooth as possible. Use plenty of glue, and I’d recommend warming the ring up a bit first, or the glue just sets
on the cold metal before you can attach anything.
Star button via Ebay
Nice manicure, shame I forgot the handcream
A trio of happiness
Vintage metal, Mother of Pearl, Plastic
[Screenshot from QVC]
Anchor brooch by Stolen Thunder
Today's Exclusive - 11 spot Domino brooch
Vintage button from Gran's collection
Having serious anchor love at the moment
As you can probably tell, I'm really taken with this idea, and will doubtless never need to buy a ring again by the end of the week. I'm thinking that a plastic apple button would make a great homage to Marc Jacobs - or alternatively cute party bag gifts for a little girl's birthday.
Oh, and I made this ribbon corsage type thing as well - with an actual needle and thread! I know this idea entered my head via blogland, but no clue where - sorry if it was yours and I haven't credited you - let me know.
Go forth, and accessorize!
Lakota x
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Those rings are lovely, I adore that domino brooch x
ReplyDeleteMmmmm - the domino brooch is great and your rings are very cute - clever idea.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of old jewelry but rarely wear it - even my wedding band lies in a dish on my dressing table and gets worn only occasionally. I should make more of an effort.
What I do use are the brooches - those are easy to pin onto a cardi or jacket. Makes things look more cheerful.
You have inspired me! Really like the domino brooch - very unusual and individual! Great post.
ReplyDeleteLiz
Very cute, the anchor ring is my fave (i have an anchor popeye-esk love thing going on!) And we are getting to see a bit more of you bit by bit! The ribbon brooch is very cool! Scarlett x
ReplyDeletehiya , love all your projects , the domino broochis my fav and will be giving it a try x about the hot glue , do you have any issues with the embellies coming off the ring base after a while ? just wondering if it is something that i am missing out on when i do it ? tfs
ReplyDeletexmaggiex
These are so, so cute!! I've got to say it is a great feeling when you've made something you're wearing yourself and someone asks where you got it! :-D
ReplyDeleteThe black plastic rose type ring gave me a 'be still my beating heart' moment - it's just gorgeous! The little star button too, and the anchor - they're all something I would wear :-)
Jem xXx
Love that domino brooch and always love seeing buttons used in other ways you did great.Is the glue gun glue strong enough to hold together?I have used it before on fabric and is good for awhile.I have some flower vintage earing's I was thinking of turning into rings but only if the glue is good.
ReplyDeleteYou are just too clever for words Lakota...love them! The only things I'm successful at making with a glue gun are blisters! I'm always burning myself with the horrible things (AND they're messy!) so I try to stay away from them...your brooch is very fancy schmancy too x
ReplyDeleteWowser Lakota, they are all fabulous. Especially love the domino brooch. Blimey this opens up a whole load of possibilities - scrabble tiles for instance. I'm excited!
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, I was searching,yesterday, for some jewellery necklace wire thingy I'd bought ages ago as I had decided to actually use it and make a button necklace. Unfortunately, I knocked a photo frame off the top of the chest of drawers and then spent too bloody long vacuuming up the broken glass and sticking the frame back together (inadequately) with some ancient glue. So much for my attempt at crafting eh?
Me again! Meant to say that after all the vacuuming and sticking I never found the necklace wire thingy anyway. Grrrrrr.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, I love it! the domino brooch is so cute!
ReplyDeleteI love my glue gun, got it a couple of months ago and it is used alot!
Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!
really an amazing diy idea :)
ReplyDeleteLoo - you read my mind! I've seen scrabble tile jewellery and was just asking my other half last night where our set was (we don't play anymore, causes too many sulks). I want the nice vintage type really though. I've also nicked one of his plectrums and was going to make a Tatty Divine inspired ring as well.
ReplyDeleteVery impressed, clever ol' you. I love the black ring, also enjoyed your photo styling. I have a jacket with the most amazing buttons, I may just have to relieve it of them now.
ReplyDeleteLove the domino but somehow I think I would not be popular if I relieved our set of one piece! The black plastic button however looks really glam, like jet and who would believe it is plastic or was a button. having also been at the button basket today I think you might have inspired a new project. Much impressed how much some simple repurposing and a glue gun can achieve.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely brilliant ideas, Lakota. You've inspired me to get busy. I adore all those rings and that domino brooch. You are a genius. xxx
ReplyDeleteMy you've been a busy bee haven't you, lovely makes, I bought some brooch and earring backs last week, just need a child-free day to get 'stuck' in! :)
ReplyDeleteWhoa!!!! These are fabulous!! I particularly heart the anchor ring - that is stunning!
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up!
These are all so lovely,i love the domino brooch the most though
ReplyDeletexx
You are one clever, foxy lady!
ReplyDeleteI must steal, steal, steal this.
Can I check I'm in the swap? I need to wrestle with the blog badge still.
@missielizzieb
Fabulous makes, I love games piece jewels! And those rings are deliciously gorgeous too!
ReplyDeleteThose rings are fantabulous! I also love the Domino brooch. Very creative!
ReplyDeleteI love these! JUST the type of quirky accessories I like! Brilliant ideas,well done!
ReplyDeleteLove the domino brooch - fab idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea - i love the domino brooch too :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE that anchor ring! I think I need one!
ReplyDeleteFabulous new jewellery!
ReplyDeleteVictoria xx
Hello! I think it's a great idea - I love the one my pal made me! And you have made some gorgeous ones here - loving the domino brooch too! The apple idea would be very cool and very MJ as you say xxx
ReplyDeleteHow fun and pretty! I love this idea. I have seen so many gorgeous vintage buttons and thought they look like pieces of jewelry. Now I am doing the whole "Slap myself in the forehead with a big DUH" moment! Thank you for joining TTF. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteWell done! The rings are so pretty! And the brooch is fabulous too, very creative. Thank you for dropping by my blog with your sweet comments BTW, have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeletelove~mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
I have never thought about using my buttons as rings, what a great idea. I love the black ring you made, I have a bling bling ring, which one of my friends friend makes from small coloured beads- its very cool! Bx
ReplyDeleteloveeeeeeeeeeeee themmmm!!!! ooo ahhhhh ooohh *glad u can't see the drool im making now!* wuahahaha forget the handcream, ur hand looks fab already! i love the domino, the vintage metal and that gorgeous corsage ribbon too!! oooh i so need to make jewellery too! *still dripping with drools* hahahahha xx Susan
ReplyDeleteLove these!!! I can see why you're in an anchor phase at the moment, it looks brilliant! Basically anything made with a vintage button and you're leaning on an open door with me!!
ReplyDeleteIn fact i've been meaning to make some button ear-rings for a while (which requires an equally complex operation) and you've inspired me to get on with it. Thanks!!
I'm back to just let you knw that this post will be featured on this week's TTF party!
ReplyDeleteThey're fabulous! xx
ReplyDeleteSo impressed with your brooches and rings! Very nicely done. When I was in my 'alternative' phase I remember sadistically drilling through those kids little plastic animals and lego men to make necklaces or bracelets and gluing scrabble and computer keys to my bag. My proudest moment was fashioning a belt buckle out of an old Nintendo controller. Your effort however, looks a million times classier. Start thinking of a quirky name for your etsy store!
ReplyDeletewhere can i get the anchor ?? id like to purchase some for hand made leather bags // spud4teen@hotmail.com
ReplyDelete