Welcome to the 2nd Annual Bead Hoarders Blog Hop!
Our hostess is the amazing and talented Lori Anderson of Pretty Things. The idea behind 
this blog hop is simple: use some of those lovingly hoarded beads and make something special with them!
Now, I’m the first to put my hand up and say I’m a hoarder, but it’s not just beads. Thankfully I’ve conquered the magazine hoarding (thank you digital subscriptions!) but I still have plenty of craft materials (yarn, vintage buttons, stationery…) and books. Many more than our little cottage can handle.
Slowly, over the last month, I’ve been sorting our living room, ready for Christmas decorating and I found tucked away in a box a stash of vintage buttons given to me by my husband’s grandmother. In her younger days my grandmother-in-law worked in one of Adelaide’s first Haberdashery stores called The Button Bar and collected some of the more unusual buttons they stocked. I even have some sampler sets, still on their original cards, in different colours and sizes. Many of the buttons date back to the 1920’s, I even had a small collection of WWI and WWII military buttons which I’ve passed on to another family member who is a military buff.
The Challenge
For this challenge I decided to use one of my specially hoarded buttons. Although not technically a bead I think it still qualifies. The button I used for this challenge I believe is circa 1940’s. I have this same design in four other colours and two different sizes. I’ve teamed the vintage button with brass chain in two styles (leftovers from another piece) and a mix of 4mm fire-polished Czech beads and Swarovski bi-cones in green.
I do love the shape of the button, with the gold tones portion resembling a crescent moon.
My eldest daughter nabbed this necklace right after I finished photographing it, even though it is slightly asymmetrical.
Visit Lori for a full list of participants.
Very pretty.. love the addition of dangling chains
I want it, too! That button pendant is exquisite, and you showcased it beautifully!
Wow, you’ve captured the true sense of the blog, Karen, everything being hoarded or recuperated, with a beautiful result!
I imagine a stylish woman from that era – the 40s – wearing this long necklace with a gorgeous frock while drinking champagne. You are so lucky to have a stash of vintage buttons, and I hope you get to use them in more of your work. I think your piece is quite pretty and glamorous. No wonder your daughter wanted it!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your work with us. Bead hoarders unite!
As I just love old buttons, I was really drawn to your creation. Lovely.
That is so cool and very pretty too. I love the fact that he focal was gifted to you and where your grandmother-in-law obtained it. What a great story. And what an opportunity your daughter will have to remember her great grandmother and tell her story when she wears her new necklace. (I do think you should borrow it and wear it yourself from time to time.)
Lovely lovely necklace, so simple, so beautiful. That button takes it over the top!
Your necklace is lovely. It was fun hearing about your button collection! I’m not surprised your daughter nabbed this necklace; smart woman!
I have always had a love of vintage buttons. Even before I began jewelry making, I was fascinated by them! Your necklace showcases this beautiful button in a way reminiscent of the 1940’s period but also in a current, wearable piece. I especially like the fringe effect at the bottom. Lovely, no wonder your daughter snatched it up for herself.
Beautiful in its simplicity.
Beautiful necklace- your design highlights the button perfectly.
Hi Karen, Your necklace is AWESOME! I can understand why you daughter claimed it. You are very luck to have such a wonderful vintage button stash.
Oh, my, what a striking design – minimalistic in terms of materials but looking so lush!
How beautiful. I collect vintage buttons, but this is one with meaning. I love the almost flapper style look of it. And the jewel tone colors give it a nice richness!
That is a gorgeous necklace. I am so glad you got it done and your daughter is enjoying it.