The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“This is a piece one can wear from day to night, very beautiful!…” read »
- on “Totally Teal”:
“Wanda the ring is cute, did you a spiral worked in to your ring?…” read »
on “Garden Droplets”:“Love it....You always inspire me, Ali !…” read »
on “Totally Teal”:“Wanda you are such a skilled artist. Love those bracelets....Teal is such a happy color.…” read »
on “a taste of honey”:“Gorgeous Doktor! My kind of colors.…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Ooops! I meant, Thank you all!…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Thanks you!....…” read »
on “Evergreen Copper”:“The copper, the stones--love it all. Lovely, dramatic design.…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Great set. Jimmy's a lucky moai.…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Love it! Exquisite beads.…” read »
on “Prince Moai”:“These pieces are just stunning!!!!! Love looking at the lovely projects beaders have done..it is…” read »
- on “Lots of Copper”:
“You could always start learning etching! I find that 16g through 20g copper makes some of…” read »
on “Violet Tendril Earrings”:“Wonderful use of the sari silk ribbons! Love the earrings! I'm so glad lucite is not…” read »
on “Lovely Impression”:“KO thread is used without a needle because of the stiffness of it. At Lima beads…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks Lynda and Kate!
I'll take a closer look at Swellegant.
Lynda, thank you for the…” read » - on “Prince Moai”:
“Great looking pieces Jimmy is wearing. The nuggets are gorgeous.
…” read » 
on “Prince Moai”:“I have a huge crush on Jimmy too and he loves wearing all the blink. LOL…” read »
on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:“Hi, Mary. There are other ways to get the oxidized look without the smell of…” read »
on “Simply Crystal”:“Wow! Simply gorgeous!…” read »
on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:“Mary S-- You could try using Swellegant instead of LOS. These are slightly acidic and shouldn't…” read »
- on “A Green Cuff”:
“Wow! Blown away. Thanks for all the pics. Wow!…” read »
- on “Lots of Copper”:
“Great earrings. Can't wait to see what you do with the 16g.…” read »
- on “Butterfly Dance”:
“Wanda, I really like this. Love the Butterfly theme and admire all the hard work…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Please let Jimmy know that he is my first on-line crush. Love a guy who…” read »
- on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Thank you all. Let me share with you, brass is the hardest metal I have worked…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Beautiful! Fabulous pendant...makes for a beautiful necklace.…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“Dream is the perfect word to use for this set. Oh my gosh!!!!!…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“Much fabulocity here. I'm a huuuuuge Aqua nugget fan. They look great with Quartz.It has such…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks for that tutorial,FB. I would never have guessed about the "loop first" method. I'll give…” read »
- on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“I read your tute and found it very easy to follow! And must agree with Kate and…” read »
on “Mystic Mystery”:“Love that color! Great design, too.
…” read »- on “Raspberry and Cream!”:
“YUM! Can I have mine with shortbread? This is such a gorgeous technique, Julia,…” read »
- on “Prince Moai”:
“No earrings for Prince Jimmy! I 'm wearing the earrings! LOL Thank you very much! These…” read »
- on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Blue with brass. What more could anyone want? Great design.
…” read » - on “Yellow Dragonfly”:
“My kind of color! Love the design, too! Isn't it great to have a stash when…” read »
- on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Mmmmmm, yummy color! Love it!
…” read » - on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Kate is right, It definitely has that "industrial chic" look. Great color, excellent design! …” read »
- on “Butterfly Dance”:
“Thanks so much everyone. When I designed this I was thinking that the butterflies were skipping…” read »
- on “In The Garden of Olives”:
“Great Pendant! Love it! If you aren't sure about the design, put it away for a…” read »
- on “Recycled Blues”:
“Instant summer! Love 'em!
…” read »
DIY Button Bracelet
About this design:
I have a ton of buttons and I just thought that I would try making a bracelet with some of the buttons. I love to experiment with different media's. I love earthy tones, so that is why I picked browns.
Components:
1 Button for your closure, Variety of buttons with 4 holes, Copper chain, 2 Strands of hemp cord approximately 30” in length, 32 Seed beads,Additional Images:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: Take your hemp cord and add a dap of glue to the ends and roll to form a somewhat point, let dry. This will make it easier to thread the cord through the holes without it fraying. |
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Step 2: Take your copper chain apart where you have approximately 11 or 12 one inch pieces. |
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Step 3: Thread the two pieces of cord in through your closure button, fold in half to center it, and then tie a knot up close to the button. You will be working with four strands of cord. |
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Step 4: Now take three buttons and start threading them onto the cord. Be sure to thread the same piece of cord through the same hole in each button for each section. (By section, I mean each set of three buttons) This will keep the buttons fitting snuggly together. |
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Step 5: Now thread your one inch piece of chain onto all four strands of cord. Pull everything up snug together. |
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Step 6: Separate your cord and thread your buttons onto the cord again following step #4. |
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Step 7: Continue with steps #4 and #5 until you get the bracelet to the desired length. |
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Step 8: Tie a knot at the end, then straighten the end strands of cord and tie another knot leaving an opening just large enough for your closure button to fit through. |
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Step 9: Thread 8 seed beads onto each left over strand of cord, tie knot, and clip left over ends off. |
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Oct 03, 2012 at 4:01 pm #
Lois D says:Wow, what a wonderful, fresh, polished design for using that “ton of buttons” we all seem to have. I love how you used the copper chain. The hemp is something I love to use for knotting and stringing, etc.. I look forward to trying it out and then, having my grand-niece and -nephew try it with me as well. What fun! Thank you for the directions and inspiration.
On Oct 03, 2012 at 4:09 pm #
CAS says:What a fun and clever way to use plain old buttons, and turn them into something so gorgeous! Love the idea, and the instructions too.
On Oct 03, 2012 at 8:30 pm #
JustImagine - Val says:Love this!!!! Thank you so much for sharing the instructions too!
On Oct 04, 2012 at 12:18 am #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:What a fab idea for a bracelet! I also have tons of buttons in a jar & would love to use them in a wonderful design such as yours! Thanks so much for including instructions for us!
On Oct 04, 2012 at 7:27 am #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:This is so awesome! Love your creativity!
And thank you for the intructions!
On Oct 04, 2012 at 11:00 am #
Becca W says:I love this. What a great idea for all those random buttons that you have laying around. Great tut too!
On Oct 04, 2012 at 2:45 pm #
Janet Miriam says:LOVE love love this!!
On Oct 04, 2012 at 3:17 pm #
Mixed Kreations says:Thanks everyone. Glad you enjoyed it.
Linda
On Oct 04, 2012 at 5:10 pm #
Little Round Chick says:Love buttons. Buttons are fun! Great design and thanks for the tutorial.
The first thing that came to mind when I saw your bracelet was…”Button, button, who’s got the button.” Too many years teaching Kindergarten.
On Oct 04, 2012 at 5:40 pm #
Mara O says:Love this!!! thank you for the intructions
On Oct 04, 2012 at 7:29 pm #
TheBohemianCowgirls says:This is so fun, I really like a lot!
On Oct 04, 2012 at 8:28 pm #
Asia says:Love the bracelet and thx for the tutorial