Braided Anchor Bracelet

Hey there, friends!  Now that Memorial Day is past and we can officially start thinking "summer," I thought it was time to break out some nautical and beachy themed projects to throw in the mix!  I ordered a fabulous anchor button awhile back just because I loved it, but I had no idea how to actually use it for anything.  I played around a bit, and here's what I came up with!  Take a look...

Braided Anchor Bracelet

Mother's Day Button Photo Frame

Mother's Day is just around the corner, friends!  {Hooray!!}  If you're in need of a quick, cute, and easy gift project that just happens to be inexpensive too, here's One Artsy Mama to the rescue!  

BUTTON PHOTO FRAME

Layered Button Necklace

Hi, friends!  Today I have a fun and super-simple project for you!  You only need two buttons, and it will take about five minutes to make this stylish statement necklace!  Mine features one of my all-time favorite buttons, the "Carlos," but you could use any two buttons you like, as long as their sizes and colors compliment each other!  Here's how I did it and you can too!

Button Votive Holder

Hi, friends!  I'm excited to share this week's button project with you!  I was looking for something fun and festive I could use for my Easter table, and came up with this cute votive holder.  You could do the same thing for a vase, a pencil holder, or anything you wanted!  Take a look...

Materials:

- assorted buttons

- wire {26 gauge or thinner}

- glass votive holder or vase

The specific buttons I chose for this project were:

- "Wilburn" {5, 12 mm}

- "Charmain" {5, 11 mm}

- "Carlos" {5, 15 mm}

This project was incredibly simple!  All I did was choose a pattern and thread my buttons onto the wire.  I threaded the wire up from the bottom through the left hole, went down through the right, and repeated until all fifteen buttons were on the wire.  Make sure you measure the circumference of your votive holder or vase first, so you know how many buttons to use and can adjust your pattern accordingly.

When I was done stringing the buttons, I twisted the wire ends together, trimmed them, and tucked them behind a large "Carlos" button.  Then, I slid the button ring down over the votive holder until it stopped.

I love how decorative this is and how it adds a fun touch of color to something very ordinary.  Plus, since the button ring is not permanently attached to the glass, I can remove it and replace it whenever I want!  I can use fall colors, holiday buttons...the possibilities are endless!  These would make pretty additions to wedding tables too, done in the bride's selected colors. 

I absolutely love these particular buttons; as soon as I saw them on the website, I had to have them!  The colors are fantastic, and the patterns are so much fun!  What about you?  What colors and patterns would you use?

Hugs & Glitter,

Amy Latta is the author of One Artsy Mama, where she shares a variety of project types including home decor, kids' crafts, sewing, jewelry, and more.  She is happiest when creating something and enjoys making all kinds of projects with her 4 year old "Little Crafter." In her spare time, Amy is a professional ballroom, latin, and swing dancer.  When not on the dance floor or crafting, you can probably find her at Starbucks.

Burlap and Button Flowers

When I got married eleven and a half years ago, there was {sadly} no such thing as Pinterest!  My mom and I did make our centerpieces and our favors, and we did a lot of the decorating ourselves, but there's so much more I could do now with the vast wealth of inspiration out there in Pinterest-land and the blogosphere! 

Luckily, as you may recall, I have a friend getting married in October, which gives me a chance to wedding-craft vicariously through her!  My friend Sara and her fiancee Michael chose red and silver as their colors, and they are going for a country/rustic feel.   After making her some Mr. and Mrs. signs and a sweetheart table centerpiece, I decided to try making some table numbers to go along with her colors and theme.  My favorite part of the project is the Burlap &  Button flowers, which can also be used on a wreath, as napkin holders, or as a pin {even if you're not a bride-to-be}!

Here's what you need:

For the flowers: 

- burlap 

- felt 

- scissors 

- hot glue 

- buttons 

- pearls 

- clips or pins

For the rest of the table numbers:
- David Tutera table number stands and cards
- adhesive vinyl

Specific button type I used: 

"Marybeth" {10 mm}

STEP 1: Find a circular object that's the size you want your finished flower to be.  Trace it on paper to create a pattern, then use it to cut out one felt circle and eight burlap circles.

STEP 2: Fold each circle in half, then in half again to form a triangle.  Glue four of the triangles to the felt circle, as shown.

STEP 3: Repeat, gluing the other four circles on top, staggering them so that they cover the seams between the bottom four triangles.

STEP 4: Fancy it up by adding your button{s} and pearls to the center of the flower.  At this point, you can also glue a clip or a pin to the back.

To create my table number, I covered the existing black number with adhesive vinyl that matches Sara's colors.  Then, I inserted the number into the stand, and clipped my burlap flower to the wire on the stand.  You could also glue the flower on, but this way the flower is reusable and so are the rest of the pieces.

To coordinate with Sara's colors and the theme even more, I glued a row of the Marybeth buttons around the base of the table number stand.

I really love the way it turned out!  Formal and elegant, but with a rustic feel too.

Not planning a wedding?  Me neither.  So you and I can just make up these flower clips/pins and wear them!  They look great on a denim jacket or shirt, and I'd be they're cute clipped on a headband too!  Or, glue a few onto a wreath and you have some shabby chic door decor, all made with some burlap and buttons!

What do you think?  Where would you use a burlap and button flower {or two or ten}?

Hugs & Glitter,

Lots of Buttons: Spring Tree Canvas

Happy Monday, friends!  As you know, I wear a lot of different hats: mama, wife, blogger, dancer, friend, artist...  Today, I am so excited to announce one more.  I've accepted a job where I will be teaming up with Lots of Buttons to write weekly blog posts about the projects I {and sometimes Little Crafter} create using a variety of the fabulous buttons they have to offer!  Of course, I'll still be sharing my usual variety of other tutorials too, just as you've come to expect here at One Artsy Mama.  The only difference is, Mondays will now be Button Days!  Each Monday, you'll find a brand new tutorial here {as well as on the Lots of Buttons blog} for art, jewelry, kids' projects, or home decor made using one or more buttons!  I'm excited and I hope you are too!

For my first project, I wanted to make something bright and full of springtime cheer.  I seasonally rotate the artwork in the entryway of our home, so I decided to make a canvas for this Spring using buttons as the blossoms on a tree.  Here's how I did it:

Materials:

- assorted buttons

- 11x14" Canvas

- adhesive vinyl

- vinyl cutting machine and software {or scissors and a lot of patience!}

The specific buttons I used for this project are:

"Karen" {6, 14 mm}

"Josie" {12, 14 mm}

"Abe" {6, 14 mm}

"Marisol" {12, 10 mm}

"Naomi" {6, 11 mm}

I loved that they came sorted by type and sealed in individual rows!

Step 1: Cut tree shape from brown adhesive vinyl and adhere it in the center of your canvas.

If you don't have vinyl or a cutting machine, another option is to sketch or trace a tree shape onto your canvas and fill it in with brown paint.

Step 2: Cut words from adhesive vinyl and adhere to your canvas.  I chose "faith, hope," and "Love."

Once again, you can opt to paint the words instead, if you prefer.

Step 3: Add your buttons to the tree branches, attaching them with craft glue.

My "Little Crafter" really enjoyed helping with this part.  He liked deciding where the "flowers" would go and  placing them down on the glue.

Once the glue has dried completely, you're ready to hang your art and enjoy it all season long!

I think it would be beautiful to make one of these in fall colors too!  I just may have to put that on my to-do list...

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed this week's button project!  While you're here, don't miss out on the big Silhouette Giveaway...help me celebrate two years of blogging and enter for your chance{s} to win!

Hugs & Glitter,