Buttons Galore and More is pleased to start a new segment featuring Guest Designers. Not only do we have a fantastic Creative Team working diligently behind the scenes to bring you fabulous projects, we are bringing in some extra talent too. I hope you will enjoy their creativity, crafty ideas and be as inspired by them as I am. Our first Guest Designer is Melony Bradley, her work has graced the covers of many crafting and lifestyle publications. Please enjoy her post below. If you would like to check out more of work visit her blog or her etsy shop.
Finished Bracelets
I am loving all the adorable versions of this throw back craft from my childhood I am seeing all the web these days. When I got a stash of Granny’s Button Box stitched buttons from Buttons Galore and More in the mail last week, I knew I had to give this old craft a new try and incorporate these adorable buttons.
wood sticks and buttons
The concept is rather simple. Wood can be manipulated when soaked in water since it tears down the wood fibers. So, grab some jumbo craft sticks and lets get started.
Boil Craft sticks
First, bring a pot of water to a boil. Turn off the burner, Insert the craft sticks and let them soak for about 10-15 minutes. Put a few more in the water than you will think you need. I broke a few not being patient while trying to bend them.
broken sticks
Once the sticks are soaked. Grab some appropriate sized glasses or plastic cups and patiently work them into the glass. Work slowly if you don’t want to end up with a lot of broken sticks like I did. It takes a little patience to get the hang of it
sticks and glasses
These have to set up for 24 hours to completely dry. While they are drying, go ahead and grab some acrylic paints and pattern papers to coordinate with the buttons. I used Americana Acrylics by DecoArt and some older random simple printed patterned papers.
Paint and Buttons
Here is another step you can do while waiting for the sticks to set up, On the wrong side of the patterned paper, use a pencil and a jumbo craft stick to trace it.
Make a template
cut out the template
Use a pair of scissors to cut the paper out.
cut out papers
Once the bracelets have dried, gently remove them from the glasses.
paint bracelets
Paint the bracelets in the colors of your choice.
Collage Pauge
Use a decoupage medium like collage pauge and a foam brush to apply the papers to the front of the bracelets. Allow the medium to dry and gently sand the edges of the papers even with the wood.
Now comes the fun part! Glue some rhinestones in the center of the stitched buttons using a tacky glue like Aleenes Original Tacky Glue.
Glue the buttons to the front of the bracelet and let dry.
Finished Bracelets
My bracelet’s didn’t turn out as snug as I wanted them to be, so I used some chain and jump rings to pull them a little closer in. I can still fit them over my hand without using a closure such as a lobster clasp but that still be another option. Learning from this, make sure you use a glass or cup that is slim enough if you want to skip this step!
Live Life Creatively,
Melony