Tuesday 9 June 2009

Buttons By Laura

Lampwork Glass ButtonThis is my first ever lampwork button. It's not perfectly round - more ovalish, but it's a totally usable button nonetheless. I enjoyed making it and I'm going to make more.

Why buttons?

Well, once upon a time, way back (a whole five-and-a-bit years ago) when I was just starting out on this whole beadmaking adventure, my Mum was flicking through one of my bead books. Her eyes lit up when she saw that it was possible to make glass buttons. She said 'Does this mean that if you start making beads and get good at it then you can make me glass buttons for my knitting to match my wool?' and I said 'Yes, but let me have a go at making a bead first, Mum!'

I always meant to have a go at making buttons for Mum but I never got around to it.

I've since followed in Mum's footsteps and have become an avid knitter like she was and I can now see the appeal of handmade, unique glass buttons for embellishing knitted projects. So today, for some reason, I got the urge to have a go at making a button. I wanted to make a nice two-hole button. I didn't want to make one with a loop on the back because lampworked buttons are just not dainty things and I was worried that a button with a loop would droop down too much and be way too bulky for affixing to knitted fabric.

Trouble was, I didn't have a button mandrel. So I had a think and a ponder and then I fashioned a button tool of my own and it did the job! I then set about creating this turquoise and chocolate spotty button and I'm pretty pleased with it. I'll definitely be making more. Each button will be unique but they'd be great for chunky cardigans and bag closures. Lovely knitting deserves lovely buttons!

Sadly, seeing as she died three years ago, I'm a little tiny bit late with the whole making-buttons-for-Mum thing! But hey, maybe I'll knit something and use the button myself.

13 comments:

  1. Beautiful button and story Laura, sob, although don't you think in that light your button seems to be smiling.... beautiful, and I would certainly love to see more buttons as my mum is a knitter too! X

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  2. Laura,

    I would love to have some lampwork buttons with shanks on the back for closures on bracelets and anklets. What do you think? Your button is wonderful.

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  3. who the heck would want a perfectly round button anyway!?!?!? ha. I love all the defects of creating . . . so fun. There was a woman who used to sell all her mis-fired ceramic beads and pieces for $.25, which I always treasured. I'd go for a heap of hand made lampwork buttons any day. keep spinnin'

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  4. i love this button, and i know your mom would have too...it is lovely...I dont like the glass shank buttons either, but I managed to make them with wire shanks and they stay pretty good on fabric too...
    much love...

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  5. I'd like to see more buttons too - I'm already thinking of knitting projects that might incorporate one or two........

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  6. This is a beauty and I agree with Jo a lovely story too xxxxxx

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  7. I'm sure mum would've loved it. What a great way of making your knitted creations even more unique.

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  8. Aw - thanks everyone!

    Looks like I'll be making more buttons then .....

    Sue - I'll have a go at shank buttons and see what happens.

    Laura x

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  9. oo! loving this :) very fun :D

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  10. Ooh designer buttons - how cool is that ;)

    I'd be up for buying some of these unique and original buttons!

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  11. gosh, that is lovely, carry on like that and I'll be wanting to knit something and I don't even like knitting (crochet though!)
    x

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  12. Shell in Wales...xx12 June 2009 at 22:20

    Loving the buttons Laura, very pretty and better without the glass 'barrels' on the back (as they tend to drop/droop forwards!).

    More buttons pleeeeassee!

    Hugs..xx

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