My enormous button collection rests on a shelf: some vintage, all with interesting details. I also have a great big bag of hideous elephant gray leftover scrap clay. Lets make some push molds! I've wanted to make them for months now, but haven't taken the time. I picked some of my favorite buttons and got started.
My first mold was from an oxidized, warped metal button with a busted shank. I kept this mess of a button because I love the texture.
All it took was this first mold. After that, I set about making molds from every button in the jar. All sorts of beauty was about to happen here.
I baked all those molds...
... and, quick like a bunny, put them to use.
Before baking the newly molded cabochons, I dabbed on some pearl ex powders for razzle and dazzle. I love this whole process. My beloved buttons are preserved in their jar, and I can reproduce the intricate designs in any color I choose.
After I fired these newest treasures, I dug out the face mold I bought last Christmas and made a couple of woodland nymphs for future beading projects.
Can't you see these little sweethearts surrounded by beaded leaves and branched fringe? Hurry and get better, Hand, so I can sally forth with the ideas racing though my brain!
copyright 2010 Shibori Girl
16 comments:
Beautiful! You have gotten more done injured than I have in weeks of good health! Yikes! Sending healing energies your way!
well i hate it that you've injured your hand, but the polymer clay is loving all of this extra attention!!! those button molds are awesome, and you'll get great use of them.....i love what you've done so far! stay well, dear friend! xox
Hey Kate,
So sorry to hear you hand is giving you a problem. Excellent idea for the buttons. You must know I love those Bohemian buttons as I been using mostly them as my closures.
I kinds hate to let them go, they're so purty!!
I hopoe you are 100% soon.
Sincerely, Janie
Can you add spell check to this Blog? ;-)
Janie
Looks like you are having fun. And also, very cool work!
Patricia
Hello Kate,
Those new clay buttons are fabulous, love the colours you used!
Hoping you get better soon.
~ Gabriela ~
You have a beautiful aesthetic. It shines through here as well as in your beadwork. Heal!
I hope that your hand gets better soon. What you've been working on while you're waiting is wonderful, too!
I'm envious. I gave up all my clay tools and materials about 14 years ago, not having the time then to work with them. Plus I wasn't any good at it. Your ability to make cabochons at will, though, is making me rethink the whole thing. I'm close to having a whole new studio for glasswork. I bet there's a tiny corner left over for some clay....
Such a great idea!I love buttons too.
Hope your hand gets better soon!
Silvia
i'm catching up on my blog reading.... big rats that your hand has turned on you, but cong-rats for making lemonade out of lemons! I love the wood nymphs and your button molds are soooo cute. i've not forgotten lunch, but at this rate it will probably be post-holidays for me. have fun and mend quickly :)
Wow, Kate! Is there no end to your brilliance? The molds turned out beautifully. I am so sorry about your hand and hope it's back to normal soon.
Hugs!
Nancy
I don't which I'm drooling over more, your gorgeous button collection or the gorgeous cabochons you made with their impressions. Beautiful work and I hope your hand heals quickly.
Christine
Wow - lots of great stuff! You are very talented :)
Well, it's true what they say-ya can't keep a good hand down.
Er, that's what they say right?
{who ARE they??}
ANYHOO it's all so spectacular and you know i used to LOVE doing that with my Play Doh and then you elevate it to art!!!!
Because you're just that awesome.
I am googoo over that last nymph....GOOGOO i tell ya!!!
XOXOXOXOXO
Get Better Soon Hand! Little Kate wants ta create!!!
Love the little nymph. Careful with the hand ... we like Kate creating!
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