Button Floozies

I am currently teaching a new RECYCLED Mixed Media Art Class. The students range in age 6 to 12 years old. In this class the students create ART with all found objects, materials, papers, and more. Here are a few works where the students used some found BUTTONS in their ARTWORK.  Please, check it out... What FUN ways to use buttons!

I finished a colorful little project I've been stitching on in my free time... buttons, of course. Stitched on a tea towel. Happy May Day!

Read all about it today at Philadelphia Wedding online .

A friend asked me to make a button bookmark for her to give her mom for Mother's Day.  I was glad she did because it made me get back in the bookmark making mode. It also made me realize that people might have special buttons from family members but don't know what to do with them.  So I put up two Etsy listings--one for the Mother bookmark using my button and one for a button bookmark made with buttons sent in by the customer.  They can also choose the word they want--REMEMBER, NANA, SISSY, EXPLORE, CHERISH.... I like how the buttons look dangling out of the book:  I experimented with different ways of placing the buttons, which was fun.  I'll post pictures of some of the other options soon.  You can read more about the project on my blog. http://elizabethjennings.com/2015/04/18/for-mothers-day-and-beyond/

The Colorado State Button Society  members are busy with their annual button show and sale, Square Up Your Buttons .  The show takes place today at the Doubletree by Hilton Denver, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and tomorrow, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For more details, visit their website . This year the button SALE portion of the event is free and open to the public -- what a bonus!  You won't find a more varied selection of buttons anywhere on the planet than you will at any button show sale!  Here are some photos of beauties I've purchased at their shows in past years: Check the National Button Society website to find out about local shows you might have in your area.  If you are near one -- you don't want to miss it!

I had some stray buttons that were interesting. And some scraps of paper. I put the two together...  And then kept going!  Tactile, mindless...fun! 

After many months of searching at thrift stores for buttons and coming up relatively empty, I had a restorative experience yesterday!  As in, it restored my faith that it was possible to find beautiful buttons in thrift stores. I found these at the bottom of a bin at our Goodwill Outlet.  The sparkly ones were mixed in with some Christmas ornaments -- not even vintage ornaments.  The larger stones on the outside are aurora borealis stones; the smaller ones have a pale green tinge. Here's what the back looks like.  I think they are just beautiful! I believe these grape cluster buttons are made from Lucite or a similar plastic with sparkles in the mix.  They definitely need to be cleaned but I have to research the best way before I attempt it. Aren't they fun?