Pyramid Thread Wrapped Button Earrings Created for Gina B Silkworks

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.

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.

Oriental Mixed Media Canvas with Teneriffe Lace and Powertex

I created this mixed media canvas using acrylic paints and various elements treated with transparent Powertex. Powertex is great for stiffening, gluing down and protecting porous substrates such as fabric, card or wood.

 

The lace elements were my first attempts at making Teneriffe Lace (yes the lace name has 2 f’s – as in the original spelling of the island) using the newly released looms and instructions from Gina-B Silkworks. I struggled a bit with getting my knotting secure at first (until I read the instructions properly – tee hee), plus my weaving and tensioning was pretty uneven too. My technique soon improved but I wasn’t sure what to do with these first experiments. They nearly went into the bin! However, I then thought of Powertex treatment. The lace would be stiffened and sealed so no worry about any of the knotting coming lose.

The variegated blue threads that I used inspired me to create something with an Oriental theme. Incorporating my ‘imperfect’ lace elements into a canvas was perfect.

I was really pleased with the results and my lace pieces ended up being showcased very nicely.

Materials:

• Teneriffe Lace Complete Starter Kit (comes with Looms 1 and 3)
• Total Trimmings Project Book – Teneriffe Lace (comes with a Heart Loom 11)
• Strong thread (for the holding threads on loom) and pearl 8 embroidery thread (plain blue and variegated blue) for the lace work
• Transparent Powertex
• Card (approx. 230 gsm – white and blue)
• 12 X 12 inch stretched canvas
• Gesso (white), acrylic paint (blue) and Starlight Paint (gold metallic)
• Alcohol marker and PVA pearls (blue) – to colour edges and add centres to flowers
• Bamboo barbeque sticks
• Thread wrapped button embellishment, bead and tassel
• Dies to cut branches and blossoms (mixed brand and Spellbinders)
• Mandala stencil
• Rubber stamp (for background texture)
• Plastic sheeting to protect table and to dry Powertex treated elements
• 3D glue gel

How it was done:

1. The butterfly was created on the outer ring of Loom 3. This was a result of a bit of play and trying out the technique. I didn’t use a specific pattern but added darned areas to get a stylised butterfly shape.
2. The large circular motif was worked on the outer ring of Loom 1 following the design for the Teacup Pincushion Pattern included in the Total Trimmings Book.
3. The 2 small circular designs were again worked on Loom 1 (small inner ring) using the Lace Button Designs included in the book.
4. I treated the lace with the transparent Powertex and laid out to dry overnight on plastic sheeting (Powertex doesn’t stick to plastic). I snipped out the butterfly from my circular lace design. I also cut up some of my rough trial pieces to use as extra texture in the background.
5. The canvas background was painted with white gesso to prime. Rubber stamps were used with acrylic paints to add a little background texture. I also sponged acrylic paint through a mandala stencil to complement the lace elements. Starlight paint (which contains crushed gilding flake) was used to blend in from around the edges.
6. The branches and blossoms were die cut from card, shaped with an embossing tool, then painted with transparent Powertex. Likewise the fan was created using card and bamboo barbeque sticks. Again I treated this with Powertex.
7. Flat elements were glued to the canvas with Transparent Powertex. More dimensional elements were stuck down with 3D glue gel.
8. I also added a thread wrapped button embellishment and tassel. Gina has some wonderful instructional DVD’s and books which are fabulous if you would like to learn these techniques (Making Buttons DVD , Button Workshop Manual, Making Tassels DVD)

Sneaky Peek of Wrapped Buttons coming to Create & Craft TV Saturday

Good afternoon. Gina Barrett (Gina B Silkworks) is back on our screens this weekend with more gorgeous wrapped buttons with added embroidery patterns, and some lovely mini button frames which can be used to display and mount them. Here is a sneak peek at some of my samples. I have used some of the frames to create pendants too. Her show is this Saturday (9th December) at 2pm on Create & Craft TV (Freeview Channel 23 or watch via their website – they keep catch up videos too if you miss the show).

 

Thread wrapped and woven buttons created for Gina-B Silkworks

Good evening. Here are my show samples for Gina’s show on Create and Craft TV tomorrow at 5pm (Freeview Channel 23 – can watch live or on catch up online too if you miss it).

Gina is a super talented lady that uses traditional Passementerie techniques to create period costume and museum pieces to commission. She also provides kits and books with the aim of keeping these traditional methods alive and applicable to the modern maker.

Tomorrows show is all about button making. I can highly recommend her range of books and DVDs – I think that I have bought just about every one. New designs will be on the show including Dorset Style buttons.

Thread Wrapped and Embroidered Buttons

I had some time today to make some thread wrapped and embroidered buttons. I need a little practice with the embroidery but love them.

 

I used instructions (Original Snowflake Button Designs) and 25mm MDF button blanks available from Gina-B Silkworks . I love the textile kits available from the talented Gina Barrett – do take a look at her website.

I am making myself a little sewing box and will use these to decorate it – will share when I have finished.

Anne x.