I sent Cilla two tree of life clay buttons by Christine of beadfreaky on Etsy. I LOVE them! The tree of life has significant meaning for my family as it reminds us of TJ for a good many reasons. I also sent her two mother of pearl hearts that I've had for probably 15 or 20 years? I bought several at a very small bead and button shop that used to be in Freeport. I also drilled several pieces of sea glass to be buttons. Finally, I made a hand-painted stained glass button sealed with Ice Resin. This little culprit is the reason my buttons got in the mail a little bit later than I had hoped as I had to wait for the resin to cure.
My buttons for Cilla
So, we'll put "Button Swap Gone Wrong" up for consideration first. My partner for the button swap is the lovely Cilla Watkins of Tell Your Girlfriends. Cilla sent me a lovely assortment of buttons - 2 clay floral buttons from Valou Poppy of France, an embossed clay heart button, and a polymer clay button from Jane Perala of Canada. They are all lovely.
Cillas buttons for me
Now, on to "Poppy Gone Wrong". I intended to make two pieces, a multimedia art piece and a necklace. Well, life always gets in the way and this was a difficult week, so only one piece has been made to date. The other will materialize in the next couple of weeks. I am not an artist, even though my kids have called me that. I am a crafter. I've always wished I was an artist. My sister-in-law Denise is a wonderful artist. I can bluff my way along, but it doesn't come naturally to me. I wish it did. I took decorative painting classes years ago. Anyhoo, when I first laid eyes on the buttons Cilla sent to me, I knew what I wanted to make with the orange poppy button - a piece of art. Kerry Bogert has created some multimedia art pieces over the last few years and I was inspired by the art she created. Mind you, my piece came out nothing like my mind saw it. However, I was relatively happy with it (except the poppy petals are too large - haven't worked with polymer clay in about 16 years) until I decided to darken the edges. Poppy.Gone.Wrong. The bottom and lower right edges are too thick and hard - I should have thinned the paint more so I could rub it in and take some away. It stuck, and stuck good.
There are lots and lots of creative folks who are sharing their designs today (sorry again, Cilla), grab a cup of coffee or tea and go take a peek - and if you're a mom, Happy Mother's Day to you!
Kim Roberts and Partner unable to participate at this time.
* Pam Ferarri and Stefanie Teufel (will share their reveal
on a later date)
* Stefanie Teufel and Pam Ferarri (will share their reveal on a
later date)
