FOUND - whimsical art, vintage treasures, fun finds!

Eco-funky Wednesday*: Vintage Button Jewelry

A big bowl of buttons just begs me me look closer and touch.  Made in such a variety of materials, shapes and sizes, vintage and antique buttons are a natural material for crafters and artists to incorporate into jewelry.

At FOUND, we have button jewelry from 3 different local artists, each with their own distinctive style.

 

Margaret Shaw from Manchester, Michigan provides us with stacked button bracelets.  These red and pink versions are perfect for Valentines.  She also makes earrings.

 Elizabeth Busch makes fun button bracelets on stretchy cord that remind me of the colorful sugar candy bracelets and necklaces of my childhood:

 

Ann Arbor artist Cara Rosaen of Sweet Plum Vintage labels all her jewelry with information about the buttons she uses.  This necklace called "Blacktop Crumble" incorporates Victorian era black glass buttons, as well as mid-Century metal and plastic buttons. A chunky piece that is sure to draw compliments..

 

 If you're thinking about making jewelry from your grandmother's buttons or your own collection, we carry this terrific book by Susan Davis called Beautiful Button Jewelry (Sterling Publishing. 2005).   In addition to step by step instructions, this book provides a wonderful history of buttons with clear illustrations. 

My favorite sections are those with stenciled china buttons and the projects using colorful Bakelite buttons.

 

One necklace uses antique mother-0f-pearl shell buttons crocheted with silk embroidery thread.  For those of you who enjoy needle arts, this is a good winter project.

Another shows how to incorporate sparkly rhineshones with Victorian shoe buttons and old glass beads.  A materials list and step-by-step instructions are included. For the photo charms, I think our patera findings would work right in with this bracelet.

 

I look for buttons to add to our supply whenever I'm out shopping for vintage things.  We have bowls of common buttons at $3 per scoop. 

Lots of people have an instinctive reaction to run their hands through this tub of mixed whites.

 

 

If you're looking for buttons for special projects, we have lots of buttons tucked into a big antique Hamilton print cabinet.   Interesting celluloids and early plastics.  Note the extruded ivory colored plastics on the left - they look like curly spaghetti!

 

The carved cream and black buttons below are some of my favorites. 

The button jewelry we carry is popular year round.   

When you wear button jewelry, you're reusing something that was originally utilitarian in a new and eco-funky way!

Regards,

Mary

 

*the title says Eco-funky Wednesday, but for technical reasons this eco-funky look at recycled art is being posted on Thursday. 

Eco-funky Wednesday: Green Daffodil Soy Candles

#1 in a weekly series of posts with earth friendly products

For about a year, we've been carrying soy candles from Green Daffodil Soy Candleworks.  The quality and scents rival all the the high end soy candles that I've tested at the gift markets.  And they are made close to home - in Ferndale, Michigan - by two of the nicest entrepeneurs you'll ever meet!

 

Here, in co-founder Siouxsan Miller's words, is how it all started...

(Green Daffodil)was conceived during a cold mid-western winter by my best friend / neighbor Anne Simonetti and myself. Both of us share the love for a great candle, so long hours were spent researching, and testing many different waxes and wicks to find a perfect combination. The result was pure soy wax and an all cotton wick.

So are you going green? Well, our 100% soy candles can easily help!  Their soot-free burn, long burn time, and wonderful scent throw, are certainly compelling factors to get excited about. But you are also enjoying a green product made from a wax that is completely renewable, eco-friendly, grown in America, vegan, carbon neutral, sustainable, and is just an all-around positive product. The goal was to a make the best candle for you and the planet.

Anne and I hand-pour each candle in small batches at our studio. We use essential oils or phthalate-free fine fragrance oils to offer the best scent possible....We recommend you trim your wick to 1/4" before each use and allow an even wax pool to form. This will ensure the best enjoyment and longevity of your 100% soy candle.

Siouxan and Anne have studied wax and get excited about the properties of pure soy wax for candle making.  They also make soaps and lip balm from soy.  I grew up in Central Illinois, where soybean production is huge.  Until recently, I never gave much thought to it -  just noted the seasonal color changes in the fields as it neared harvest time.    If you're curious and want to learn more about soybeans, there is a pretty extensive Wikipedia article about it, including Henry Ford's desire to incorporate soy products in automobile manufacting and the suit he wore.

 These slow burning soy candles come in 4 and 8 oz tins with clear lids.  We're pleased to offer this eco-funky product at FOUND!

 

Stop in or order these wonderful candles online at www.foundgallery.com.