Wednesday, April 14, 2010

~Vintage mother of pearl mop button bracelet~

One of my many passions is collecting vintage buttons.
Bakelite and mother of pearl being my favorites.
What is mother-of-pearl you ask?
It's the pearly inside layer of shells such as oysters ...
  After making my vintage bakelite button bracelet
I then gathered my mop buttons
and went to work on this one...

once the main buttons were added 
I sewed the bracelet closed
 and then added more smaller buttons
 for a total of 55 buttons

What I used:
1-1/2" wide white waistband elastic
3 large 2" mop buttons
52 other various size smaller mop buttons
quilt thread that I bees waxed

The above photo shows you
 how messy the inside looks but 
 I wanted to make sure my buttons were secure
 Let me know if you make one
 I'd LOVE to see it!
 Have fun :-}

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

So absolutely beauitful!! I adore mother-of-pearl & the simplicity of the finish!!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo

Raggedy Ann said...

So pretty! What a lovely job you did. I love buttons. C:

Hugs,
Alecia

Diva Kreszl said...

I just love that bracelet! what a great use of vintage buttons :)

stefanie said...

sooo gorgeous!!! thanks I think I need to make me one!

June said...

This is gorgeous! I LOVE IT! I would love to try to make one too. I'll let you know if I ever get one done. lol
I hope that all is well with you and that you are enjoying Springtime in your neck of the woods.
hugs

French Charmed ~ Chelle said...

Bonjour ~ Fabulous piece of art! I love it! ~ Chelle

The Urban Chic said...

Mary, what a gorgeous bracelet. I have some old buttons, but they are kind of chalky. Do you know what they would be? Might be putting them in my blog store. Trying to collect as much as I can before starting it.
Please check out my giveaway when you get a chance. The winner will also recieve something they collect. Thanks for posting about Carole. Love and hugs, Pat

BellaRosa said...

Absolutely beautiful! I will have to keep a look out for some lovely large buttons like that, I never thought of a button bracelet...I LOVE it :) wonderful idea! Have a lovely week! besos, Rose

Jerri said...

I love this! I can see a bride wearing this on her wedding day with a vintage wedding gown.....
Great job......

Jerri

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

So talented, Mary! So talented. I love your blog graphics too...as usual!

Alaina said...

Darling bracelet, I love white buttons. I too have made a button bracelet for myself but I only strung them on fishing line, so I love your idea.

Brenda Pruitt said...

This is quite beautiful! I'm not a jewelry person per se. But I love things made from things like buttons. What are mop buttons?
Brenda

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

YUM....MEEEE! It is simply delish. I posted a black/rhinestone vintage button bracelet I made a couple of weeks ago....I wear it all the time and love it. I don't have enough mother of pearl buttons to make one like this. I wish I did...I'll be on the lookout.

Warm blessings,
Spencer

Anonymous said...

Godmorning, Sweden here....

I must tell you, that I love your virtual & image blog!! Amazing mix of pic's & so much inspiration!

Regards from Agneta

The Urban Chic said...

Mary, thanks for posting my giveaway, you now have your name in twice. Good luck. hugs, Pat

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Oh Mary, what a beautiful bracelet! You really used some unique buttons on it, too! I also love your other silver jewelry ~ I can see Isa and Sam's names on some!!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Unknown said...

Dear mary, thank you for your sweet comment on my blog! The bracelet is fab! I'm a new follower!!!
Have a nice week end!
Hugs!
Mara

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

These are JUST beautiful, Mary!!!

Mary said...

Hello Sweet Friend, Love your new white bracelet with Buttons:) You are so Talented .....Love Ya, Me:)

Janice said...

It's stunningly beautiful! You did a wonderful job! What creativity you have....

Amy said...

How fun and beautiful. You are so creative!!!!
Amy

Alison Gibbs said...

Oh wow, that is so beautiful.
Alison

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Hi Mary, I have a thing for mop buttons as well. Your bracelet is beautiful and those large flower shaped buttons are delicious!
Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Julia

icandy... said...

beautiful and amazing!
i'm a button collector, too...have been for years!
the mop's are so special to me~ i love how unique they are!
ox
christina

Mary said...

Hi dear Mary! Know I've not been by to leave a comment for a while - only excuse being not enough hours in a day or days in a week! I do think of you though and hope all is well with you and the family.

Love this button bracelet - you always come up with the prettiest things.

I had to start a new blog - can no longer post pix on Across The Pond even though I purchased extra Picasa storage - Google is useless and has no customer service!

Find me now at A Breath of Fresh Air (I think perhaps you've stopped by once already). I'm leaving in three weeks on an Africa safari - an awesome adventure with three other Brit girlfriends!

Hope Spring has sprung in Ohio dear.
Warm hugs - Mary

P.S. Jasmin was here today and said to tell Isabella "Hi".

JANN said...

THAT IS A AWESOME BRACELET. I LOVE MOTHER OF PEARL BUTTONS TOO. I EDGE A PICTURE FRAME WITH THEM. YOU SHOULD MAKE THESE AND SELL THEM MARY.
HAPPY EARTH DAY

Anonymous said...

I love buttons!!! your bracelets are wonderful :D

Mari said...

This is the most gorgeous bracelet that I ever seen!!! Beautiful!!!

Mari said...

Do you sell your jewelry? where? let me know.

laspina75@coqui.net

Mari

jabjudie said...

Hi, forgive my ignorance, but what is a mop button? I've recently begun collecting buttons and adding to my Mom's and Grandmom's bunches. I think I'm going to enjoy this hobby and the creative things I can do with them!!

a Pocket Angel said...

MOP buttons are also known as mother of pearl, is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer; it is also what makes up the outer coating of pearls. It is strong, resilient, and iridescent.
Mary