This is a tutorial to show you how to make a ring out of a vintage button. I see so many great vintage buttons, either randomly at a yard sale or thrift store or a part of an old sweater or shirt that I don't want to wear anymore. Buttons are little treasures that are great because they can be so fun, with a lot of detail. There's a bunch of stuff you can do with them, and I'm sort of button hoarder. If there's a nice set of them, I like to replace boring buttons on a shirt with fun colored ones. And below, is how to turn a button into a pretty ring.
Using the sandpaper, gently sand the back of the button, and the flat surface of the ring blank. The flat smooth surface of the button/ring blank doesn't give the glue enough to really bond to, so by roughening up the texture a bit it will make your glue hold better. Make sure you don't go crazy here, and try to only sand the button where the ring blank will attach.
Step 2
Apply a small dollop of glue with your chopstick to your ring blank. The key here is not getting too much. You want enough so that when you press the ring on it forms a solid layer, almost forming a suction, and only the tiniest bit peeks out the edges, but not so much that you have to wipe it off.
Step 3
Now press on your ring gently just enough that the glue spreads evenly across and you have a nice layer of glue in between. Don't press too hard where you squeeze all of the glue out of the sides. Now, set it aside and let it dry for a good 24 hours before you wear it.
Now you have a new ring! You can get pretty creative with these, and soon you'll be looking for anything with a flat surface to make rings out of. You can also make rings from geode stones with a flat back, vintage pendants, sliced agate, stone chunks like pyrite, or even little knit items like bows or hearts.
Recently, I started a Jewel of the Month Club, where I'll select one item from the jewelry shop which will be on super duper sale for the month. It lets everyone get in on the jewelry fun, and you can build up your jewelry collection, one piece at a time. This month, the arrow earrings are now listed at over 40% off.
It's free, and no registration required...but if you want a little reminder every month to see what the new jewel will be, sign up below with your email address.
And...now that April is almost here, which would you want see as the next jewel of the month?
Happy Monday! It was a beautiful weekend, and I tried to spend as much time outside, and stay on the periphery of st. patrick's day madness. I spent some time lounging in the park, and having delicious dinner and cocktails with friends. And finally made some time to photograph me wearing my latest rope necklace.
This one is a little bit of yarn, crocheted to a chain with vintage brass fringe. I love the way it looks worn under a buttoned up collar. I think many of the times when I leave the house in the morning, I look a bit school marmish.
In New York, it's finally spring-like out and my mind has suddenly started to drift towards chambray dresses, bright colors and pastel shoes and pants. And for the first time in months I was able to get out of the house without tights and a big heavy coat. yay, spring! even though the winter hasn't been too harsh, I'm super excited about pulling out my spring clothes from storage (it's always a surprise) and buying new stuff. I've already bought 3 new pairs of sandals! For spring fashion inspiration, I was perusing the steven alan spring 2012 look book and thought how pretty and simple everything was.
Or, I think A lot of these pieces could easily be made. Especially the chambray shirt dress, blue shift dress, striped tee, or the green dress. I think the patterns could easily be whipped up by the slopers and instructions included in the Built By Wendy Dresses book. I actually am 95% finished with a shirt dress identical to the first picture that I made with the BBW book, but in a blue and white striped seersucker fabric. Maybe it's time I finally finished it!
Here's a tutorial on how to make a basic chain bracelet, for your very own DIY bracelet arm party. I like the look of colors of the crazy circus arm, with friendship bracelets, chain bracelets, rhinestones and bangles, but sometimes it's nice to have just a simple, basic bracelet to throw on. The good thing is, this chain bracelet stands alone well, or can serve as a foundation to a crazy arm circus. And, the technique is simple, and you can apply it to any chain you find, so you can make all kinds of different styles.
Now you have a new ring! You can get pretty creative with these, and soon you'll be looking for anything with a flat surface to make rings out of. You can also make rings from geode stones with a flat back, vintage pendants, sliced agate, stone chunks like pyrite, or even little knit items like bows or hearts. 
