Printable Button Paper and New Wedding Stationery

My new button themed printables are ready to add to my shop!! :)
Inspired by my collection of vintage buttons I drew a range of different shaped / patterned buttons in pen.  Then scanned the drawings and used them to make into repeat patterns which I coloured digitally.
This set of pastel scrapbooking papers contains 8 designs - 3 colourways of one of the button patterns with coordinating simpler stripes and spots, and 2 colourways of a second button pattern...

As part of my new range of party printables I am now starting to design wedding printables.  What do you think of my first wedding stationery set?

The customised set contains a save the date card, invitation, R.S.V.P. card and thank you card.  There are three colour options featuring my button pattern - green, teal and cream...

If you like these button designs look out for more printables in the next few days! :)

Buttons Preview

Here's a sneak peak at my newest set of paper designs inspired by my collection of vintage buttons...

Etsy Treasuries (and front page!)

I'm always so happy when someone has liked one of my items enough to include it in their treasury and Saturday was even more exciting as my buttons were on the UK front page of Etsy! :D  I love the bright blues/ greens and yellows in this treasury. (The treasury above was on the front page)

 

Treasuries are a fun way to stumble across new items from other people too :)

Here are a couple of other treasuries which also include my items... Bold bright reds...

and a lion themed collection (these are so cute!)...

Polymer Clay Buttons

I love vintage buttons and I have so many pretty ones in my collection :)  I only have one or two of some designs, so thought I would have a go at making polymer clay versions to use on cards etc.  Not that I need any more buttons but it also meant I could try them in different colours too!

Most of the clay buttons shown in the photos were made by making a mold from the vintage button, then making a clay button from the mold.  The two on the far left were made from cutting a shape from rolled clay then using a fancy vintage button to press a pattern into the surface then adding two holes.

New Crafting Supplies Shop

Having spent many months debating whether to open a second Etsy shop I finally took the plunge last week! I decided to separate my crafting supplies from my artwork; my illustrations and artwork will remain in my original shop while supplies will be in my new shop - hfcSupplies (Hazel Fisher Creations ~ Supplies).

The new shop will stock buttons (mainly vintage), clock hands and crafting kits. For a time I will still have some supplies in my original shop but these will gradually be moved over to hfcSupplies as the shop in stocked.

It's exciting to be opening a new shop (a lot of work too!) - I hope that I've made the right decision to be running 2 shops on Etsy!

Jewellery Making

I have a big collection of beads which I've been wanting to use for a while and last weekend I finally decided to have a go at making some jewellery again!

I started off with a necklace using some of my vintage buttons and (mostly vintage) beads. Wrapping the wire around the glass drop beads was a real challenge - I don't know how many times I started again but I did get the hang of it in the end!

Next I tried a bracelet to match my favourite orange top. The cute little glass beads which look like mini oranges were perfect for this project!

Buttons...

As promised here's an update on my vintage buttons. Finally the lounge floor is clear of buttons and I have sorted enough to photograph some and start to list them in my Etsy shop! :D

Thank you to everyone who commented on my last buttons post, it seems that the most important thing is good photos when selling buttons and knowing what they are made of doesn't matter so much. After reading the comments on the Etsy thread I started, and doing some further research, I think I can work out what some of the buttons are made of though.

I've tested some of the plastic buttons with hot water to see if they have a smell. - If it smells of formaldehyde it's bakelite and if it smells like vick vapour (camphor) it's celluloid. - I have some buttons that definately smell(!) but I'm not that sure of what!

These purple buttons had a strong smell, but I'm not sure if they are bakelite/ celluloid?

Some more purple buttons, these are light weight and have a metal back. From seeing others similar to this I think they are celluloid tight top buttons.

These butterscotch ones didn't have a smell and the colour on the ones with shanks is worn so you can see a lighter colour underneath, so they aren't bakelite.

I'm not sure what these black buttons are made of, but it's like pvc - they have a shiny but almost rubbery type texture.

If you think I'm wrong about any of these or have any other suggestions please let me know! :)

I was pleased with how the photos came out - the sunlight was definately better than artificial light. The only problem is that it's winter and we aren't getting many sunny or even half bright days so I don't know when I'll be able to photograph the next lot.

If you're interested in buying any of my vintage buttons I will be adding them regularly, so check my Etsy shop often for updates! :)

Buttons (lots of them!!)

Yesterday I bought 2 boxes of old buttons from Reeman Dansie auctions in Colchester, there's a great selection of colours, fancy and plainer buttons in them but they are all muddled up in the boxes so there's lots of sorting to be done!

I'm planning to keep some of my favourites for my button collection but will be selling the others in my Etsy shop. Some of the buttons will find their way into my Bags of Ideas and Mini Bags of Ideas crafting kits but the sets on cards and some of the other fancier buttons I am planning on selling separately.

I posted some questions in the Etsy forums, but thought I would ask them here too - so if you can help it would be great to hear from you! When I list the buttons to sell I would like to be able to describe them as best as I can but I don't know anything about where they came from. They are mostly (if not all) vintage - does anyone know how I can date them more accurately or is this not very important to people buying buttons? I can guess at ones that look art deco or from around the 60s say but could be completely wrong!

Also I would like to be able to say what the buttons are made of - what should I look for to tell if they are bakelite/ celluloid/ newer plastic/ glass etc?

Here are some pictures of some of the buttons I've sorted so far which might be useful if you think you can help me!