More buttons

These button-like polymer pendants from Tel Aviv’s Hila Bushari were inspired by a glass artist. Multi-layered, multi-colored, multi-textured designs make for a sumptuous effect. And here’s Hila’s Etsy shop. Would some of her candle holders look good on your holiday table?

You may be waiting for a report on my Las Vegas experience but it’s taking me a while to digest all that I learned. This quiet midwestern girl is easily overwhelmed by the glitz and glamor of sin city. I didn’t lose a nickel in the slot machines but I managed to drop a significant sum in the Clay Carnival store. Polymer is a much safer bet for me.

Beads or buttons

These subtly domed designs from Germany’s Vera Kleist could be either beads or buttons. Vera gives minimal techniques maximum impact with her fashionable color choices and stringing variations.

Browse her Flickr and Etsy sites to see where her smart design sense has led her. Thanks to Bettina Welker for the link.

What happens in Vegas…

…will not stay in Vegas if I have anything to say about it. This weekend’s clay carnival will be my first and I’ll be meeting new folks and catching up with old chums. Can’t wait to share what I find with you!

Flipflop buttons

Mari O’Dell offered us sunshine and smiles (and a break from too much seriousness) with her selection of caned and sculpted polymer buttons.

In addition to selling them for sewing onto clothing for fashion accents, Mari ties buttons onto flipflops using waxed linen cord.

Mari’s a big fan of extrusion and most of her 3D elements are made using the dies offered by Polymer Clay Express. Here’s a snapshot of her workspace that’s always adorned with flowers and inspiration.

Who is Dixie103?

These new polymer buttons and barettes based on American crewel needlework patterns are intriguing. The cane work is lovely, the colors and cutout shapes are soothing. She adds texture to simulate fabric.

Do you know who Flickr’s Dixie103 is? Julie is the only name she lists on her “nopeitsnotpainted” page. She doesn’t google well and she’s shy about her personal information. Deb Ross sent the link and had no clues to the artist’s identity.

We end the week enjoying a mystery artist. Have an intriguing weekend.

Button vignettes

These buttons from Vancouver’s Joan Tayler take polymer pebbles to a whole new level. On each of them one red ladybug crawls across a domed faux granite base that’s been partially obscured by slices of leaves and flowers. Picture a thickly knitted wool cardigan finished with these bright scenes.

Leaves and ladybugs were Joan’s theme for the previous week. And her individually sculpted old owl buttons from week 29 will make you smile. She has an eye for woodland vignettes that delight. You can track the week-by-week progress on her button project here.

Buttons that top the cake

The fashionistas among you will salivate as you look at the hand-loomed knitwear, complete with polymer buttons and pins, from New York’s Andrea Geer.

I love the easy, asymmetric drape of her knit pieces and appreciate her use of models of various ages and sizes. (More views on FB.)

And to have designer polymer buttons topping off the look, so cool. Rollover details to see them up close and be sure to catch the necklace at the end of the gallery.

Andrea is new to the Craftboston Spring Show and the Smithsonian Craft Show next month. Note some new pictures from Karen Noyes on the Craftboston show site too. Thanks to Ronna Weltman for introducing us to Andrea.

Thomas thinks outside the box

These polymer flowers with antique button centers were made by California’s Maureen Thomas for an “Outside the Box” show at PlacerArts center. She chronicles the progress of her project on her blog.

The flowers look so much like metal that I could hardly believe my eyes. Maureen gives a big hint about the technique she used in her blog post here. Clever girl.

Thanks to Randee Ketzel for bringing us the link.

Oops….I timed the post for the wrong time zone. I’m an April fool.