Putting it Out There: Completion!

This post is in reference to a previous post

made, ironically, on the Canadian Thanksgiving.
(it is a 'coincidence' that this one is falling on the
American Thanksgiving)!

Here is the finished piece; my embellishment of a
Found Sampler that caught my eye & my imagination...

It measures 19" x 26" so it has the size impact I was after.
My color palette went quite bold as I wanted to counter the antiquated aspect of the piece and bring it into my own aesthetic. The bold red & white striped fabric throughout helped to keep me on course with that.
(interesting side note: that fabric came from a Dior linen jacket I spotted at Value Village).
It was O.K. to use as a cutter since it had a bleach stain on the front!

Found Art

This old sample card of buttons is a great example, in my opinion, of 'found art'. I was browsing the Sunday Antique Market last week and saw it cast away in an old box of odds & ends. It obviously was tossed there as something of no consequence... an incomplete (at that) card of buttons... and what use could they provide being only one of each?

Well, I saw this item quite differently. The colors, the rhythm created by the positioning of the buttons, the typography and numbering elements all looked like a work of art to me. I loved the three dimensional aspect of it and saw the potential in the subtle shadows that would appear once this was hung on the wall...

I happily made my purchase as the seller shrugged at my interest. I love this piece but I also love presenting it in my shop.

This is what makes selling vintage fun.

Some of My Special Buttons

circa mid 1800's etched monogrammed mother-of-pearl

I have been collecting vintage buttons seriously for about 2 years now. This interest came hand-in-hand with my developing art of making wrist cuffs and chokers from vintage fabrics and findings. The more of these exquisite items I came across, the more inspired I became in my art. I couldn't believe how finely crafted these little jewels were...

Most of my buttons were sourced online or through a few dealers I know at local markets. I would also go to any vintage textiles events happening in my city and beyond.

About one month ago however I was put in touch with a woman who had an estate of a fine seamstress who sewed during the 1940's. I was 'warned' that this was quite a superior collection of buttons, laces, threads and many other objects of her trade.

Upon entering the room this was all displayed in for my perusal I was awed by the beauty of it all. Of perhaps close to 1,000 buttons on display 1/3 of them were very exceptional. Another 1/3 were very lovely and the remaining 1/3 ordinary.

Oh course by the time I left, heart beating a little faster, I was the proud new owner of a spectacular collection. I have had a great time sorting, categorizing and researching this bounty.

Here are a few of the special ones. I will continue with some more photos in another post soon. (I have already posted about the 3 black Art Deco shawl/collars that were from this estate).
Victorian silver lustre glass snowflake, carved metal with m-o-p inlay & cut steels, etched & carved glass with metal, metal openwork
Victorian celluloid with faceted steel insets & cupped rims.
these are 5 part buttons. (they have 5 different components)

1930's carved wood & hand-painted 'goofies' or 'realistics'

Dazzling Inspiration

A peek into the haven for my special vintage buttons... the 'heroes' that I place on the spot where I want the emphasis of the piece to be...

I found this old jewelry box at a thrift store and love it's green/blue color. The velvet lining of the eight compartments is a soft nest for these beauties to lie in wait... the satiny sheen of the inside of the lid catches the light in that old romantic way...

Over the years I have developed a system of 'organization' for my embellishments that tends to get reduced to a tangle when creativity is in high gear. This box however has become a sanctuary for the pieces I do not, under any circumstances, want to lose track of. Seems to be working!

Blue Jean Cuff

I have been going in some new directions with my fabric jewelry... I have to keep exploring & experimenting with different techniques to stay fresh and engaged!

I had a great linen jean jacket that I hadn't worn in years but hung onto because it was so unusual and high quality; made in Italy. I tossed it in the washing machine, probably shrinking it a bit but didn't care; it was the easiest way to clean it!

By using all the neat bits and bobs like the button-holes etc. it carries me in it's own direction... I like that. When given a new texture or color palette to work with I come out with a new look naturally...

This is the one I am most happy with so far. It is around my fifth attempt and my thinking is maybe I will try another color field for the next one.... do a monochromatic series... yes, I will try that.

Champleve Buttons

Here are a 'mother/daughter' pair of vintage champleve buttons. They are two of my favorites in my expanding vintage button collection! (For a close-up view just click on the photo).
I have used a few in pieces that have sold and am, for now, hanging on to these...
In French, champleve means 'raised plane'. This refers to the enameling technique in use for these buttons and other decorative objects. By hollowing out areas of metal, leaving a trough, vitreous enamel is added and then fired until it melts. After cooling, the object is highly polished. These buttons also have a faceted cut steels design which catch the light and give a lovely depth to their appearance. Although the larger button has some wear it does not, in my view, detract from it's beauty. The history, the wear they have earned in their useful life is to be embraced!

New Wraparound Cuff/Necklaces for Fall '08

A preview of new textile creations to come...
This photo shows a detail of 2 of my Wraparounds. They are strands of vintage fabric heartily embellished with hand dyed lace fragments, vintage buttons and trims. They wrap around the wrist 3 times for a bangle effect and close with a chunky snap.
They are also suited to draping around the neck as a necklace. There are many ways to make this flexible adornment 'your own'. That is what appeals to me about this design. By wrapping it in your individual style, or pinning something of your own onto it, this unique piece can be further personalized. They are lined with ribbon for comfort, which is the key to effortless style...

Chokers... coming for fall 2008!

My new line of textile art jewelry is
The Bohemian Tapestry Choker. Here is a sample. I have made three so far. They will most likely be up for sale in early September. I am so excited about this new product. ('product' sounds so assembly line which, I assure you, these
are not)!
I create them from 2 parallel strands of fabric which are joined at the ends. This helps in the shaping of the piece and also leaves a bit of 'air flow' in places so they are comfortable. Speaking of comfort... they are lined with silk velvet and satin so they are super soft on the skin!
Any comments on what you see here would be appreciated! It is so helpful to have feedback on new items...