Stamped and Embroidered Button Earrings Created for Gina B Silkworks

Posted on October 22, 2021 by annewaller

Gina is launching a brand new Thread Wrapped Button book on The Craft Store TV channel tomorrow at 10am (Sat 23 October 21 – Freeview TV channel 85 – or watch live or on catch up via their website).

It will be an extra special show celebrating 10 years of crafting on TV. There is going to be a freebie gift with purchase – gorgeous stamps for embroidery. I made these button earrings with my set.

Check Gina’s website (Gina-B-Silkworks.co.uk) for lots of button making supplies and resources (including her new book following the launch show).

Materials:

Small birdie stamps from Anniversary set (TV show gift set from Gina B Silkworks. Also available on the website after the show)

Circle button borders stamp set

30mm round button moulds

Recycled curtain interlining (for padding)

White cotton sheeting

Stranded embroidery thread (Light, medium and dark blue, plus white)

Embroidery needle and mini embroidery hoop

Versacraft stamping ink (baby blue)

Small acrylic stamp block

Crystal size 8 seed beads (x4) and 4mm white beads (x2)

White felt for backing

Set of silver plated earring wires and 2 eyepins

Round nosed jewellery pliers

Optional: Button templates

How it was done:

The birdies and button borders were stamped onto cotton sheeting with Versacraft ink and iron fixed (to set the ink).

The buttons were then embroidered using 2 strands of cotton.

The button gauges were used to draw stitching lines for button covering.

The designs were cut out and running stitches worked to gather up around the button moulds. Curtain interlining was used to lightly pad the embroidery designs.

The backs were then covered with felt to neaten.

Beads were added to the eyepins and pliers used to make wrapped loops which were stitched to the buttons. Earring wires were attached.

I used the anniversary stamps to decorate a tag for display.

Love these cute birdie earrings – think that I will have to make some for myself (these flew off to Gina for the TV show). Hope that you like them.

Anne.

Pyramid Thread Wrapped Button Earrings Created for Gina B Silkworks

Posted on October 22, 2021 by annewaller

Check Gina’s website (Gina-B-Silkworks.co.uk) for lots of button making supplies and resources (including her new book following the launch show).

Materials:

25mm Triangle Mould (for sample button)

20mm Triangle Moulds (X2)

Finca No 12 Cotton Perle thread – bright ink and dark purple

Fine tapestry needle

Set of silver plated earring wires

Instructions: Thread Wrapped Buttons Book

Optional: Button Makers Third Hand & Tool Kit (invaluable for holding part wrapped buttons whilst needle threading etc.)

How it was done:

I first made a pyramid wrapped test button using the 25mm mould (bigger is always easier to start when practicing) according to directions in Gina’s book.

I then made the earrings using 20mm moulds. Using 3e in purple for the foundation and a slight variation of the method for the pink wraps – 2e wraps in the pink. This provided more thread coverage over the back of the button (so I didn’t need to cover workings on the back with felt to hide). I worked a small button hole loop at the top to attach earring wires (jump rings could be used).

Really cute and not too heavy for wearing. Hope that you like them.

Anne.

Teneriffe Lace Earrings created for Gina B Silkworks

Posted on October 28, 2019 by annewaller

Today I am sharing some quick to make Teneriffe Lace earrings that I made ready for Gina’s Lace show on Hochanda TV tomorrow at mid day (29^th Oct on Freeview Channel 85 or watch catch up online via their website.

Materials:

· Black crochet cotton no.12

· Teneriffe Lace Starter Kit Loom 3 (Gina B Silkworks)

· Fabric glue (optional)

· Silver plated earring findings

· Rolls Fabrifix Spray (roller blind fabric stiffener and protector spray)

· Baking parchment

How to do it:

Note: Gina’s starter kit provides general instructions for stretching the web, darning the centre, reverse backstitch and knotting etc.

1. Web (16): stretch the web on the smallest circle to create 16 edge loops (i.e. total of 32 threads crossing the central section).

2. Centre DD for 2 rows: Double darn the centre to neaten up the crossing threads etc. On the second row offset the threads darned in the first row (as in weaving).

3. Revs (2) for 4 rows: Reverse backstitch over 2 threads. Ensure that the threads from adjacent ‘loops’ are grouped together to form the outer ‘petal’ loops. Note: The side facing you is the back of the work.

4. K 2e for 1 row: Knot 2 threads together to secure groups of threads creating the long scalloped edge loops that make the petals. Fasten off and add a small dab of fabric glue if desired to seal the fastening knot.

5. Remove from the loom and spray both sides with stiffening spray. I laid my lace onto a bit of baking parchment to do this (so not stick). Note: Use this spray in a well ventilated area as the solvent is quite smelly. I like to use this spray as it both stiffens and protects the piece from moisture. It also dries very quickly (within a couple of minutes). Alternatively you could use diluted clear drying PVA glue or Transparent Powertex fabric hardener, but these are more messy and take a while to dry. Gina also produces a lovely Kanzashi Starch that could be used neat or diluted on the lace (great choice for pieces used as linens etc.).

Note: The hardest part to get right is the Teneriffe Lace Knot which holds it all together. Get this wrong and your lace won’t hold together properly when you remove it from the loom. Should this happen, don’t despair, do what I did with my first lace attempts and glue it to a card or a mixed media canvas.

There is a great beginners video from Gina to help with this.

I hope that you like the lace earrings. They are fairly quick to make and are ideal if you are a beginner and feel a little daunted with making the larger medallions. Teneriffe Lace is definitely a ‘slow craft’ akin to knitting or cross stitch, don’t expect quick results. Take your time and enjoy the process xxxx.

Simple Feather Jewellery created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Posted on June 6, 2018 by annewaller

Good morning. Today I am sharing a couple of jewellery pieces created with the ‘I Shall Be Your Wings’ stamp set from Chocolate Baroque.

My first project is a pair of sparkly feather earrings and presentation card.

Materials

I Shall Be Your Wings stamp set
Decorative card blank approx. 16 X 11cm (white inkable card)
Inkpads: Archival (Jet Black) and dye based multi-coloured (Kaleidoscope Caribbean Sea)
Stickles (Crystal) and cerise pink glitter glue (Pinflair – suitable for multi surfaces)
Alcohol ink pen (pale pink)
Organza ribbon and ready-made ribbon rose (pink)
Set of silver plated earring hooks and fine cord end crimps
Angelina Fibre mix (greens and blues) and Angelina Film
Faux gems (green) and Gemtac glue
Domestic or craft iron (warm setting) and baking parchment
Jewellery making pliers (flat or snipe nosed)

Making the presentation card

The card blank was coloured by blending multi-coloured ink in from the edges with a sponge. The surface was then lightly spritzed with water and blotted with tissue to create texture.
The feathers were then stamped with rainbow ink and the sentiment with Archival. A little clear glitter glue was added for sparkle. The sentiment was coloured with alcohol ink pen.
Two small holes were punched to hold earrings. Finished with ribbon and fabric rose.

Making the Earrings

The feather stamp was inked with Archival ink. A sandwich of Angelina Film and Fibres (2 sheets of film with fibre between) was laid onto the inked stamp. This was covered with a sheet of baking parchment and a warm iron was pressed down onto the sandwich to fuse. When cool the fused sparkly sheet was peeled away from the stamp surface and the feathers cut out.
Small crimps were used to attach the feathers to earring hooks.
Faux gems were glued in place with Gemtac glue (formulated for sticking gems or beads to fabrics) and extra sparkle added with cerise glitter glue.

My second project is a pretty feather pendant on a long chain.

Materials

I Shall Be Your Wings stamp set
Semi translucent shrink plastic
Archival Inkpad (Jet Black)
Alcohol markers (green and pink)
Pebeo Gilding Wax (Silver)
Heat gun and non-stick mat
Recycled necklace chain and Celtic pendant dropper (from my stash)
Silver plated jump rings
Jewellery making pliers (flat or snipe nosed)

Making the feather pendant

The feathers were stamped onto shrink plastic with Archival Ink and cut out. A small hole was punched into the tops for hanging. The backs were coloured with alcohol ink pens.
The feathers were then shrunk using a heat gun.
The colouring on the feather backs looked a bit messy. Being a longer pendant the back is likely to show so I coated the backs with silver gilding wax to finish.
The feathers were then added to the decorative pendant dropper using jump rings and the pendant hung on a long chain.

I really enjoyed making these simple jewellery pieces. Happy stamping, Anne x.