4 June 2008

Just so you know, I am writing weekly posts at the Backyard (you have to be logged in at HSB to view) on crafts called Stitched Little Pieces. Each Wednesday, there should be a post up at the Backyard with directions and photos of how to make crafts. For those of you who do not have a HomeschoolBlogger account, below is this week’s craft.

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The Whimsical Button Bouquet is a sweet little decoration that turns a frown to a smile.

Supplies:

• Buttons (you’ll probably want a variety)
• Plyers/Wire Cutters (for bending, twisting, and cutting the wire)
• Wire (doesn’t matter what size, but I find the 20 gauge to work wonderfully)
• Salt Shaker (a spare one – rummage sells are great places to find extras)

Directions:

1. Cut a piece of wire 2-4 inches longer then the height of the salt shaker. Bend about an inch of the wire back, this will help the button go on easier. Push the longer side of the wire down through one of the holes in the button, making sure the front of the button is facing up.
2. As the button approaches the other end of the wire that is folded down, put that end through the opposite hole. Pull the button until it stops and looks like this.
3. Slightly twist the two wires to secure the button.
4. With the plyer, grab both wires close to the button and begin to twist tightly.
5. After going around a few times, cut the excess wire with the wire cutters (be careful, the little piece of wire might go flying into the air, I advise cutting this inside a container).
6. Fold the little end that is left down, so that it finishes the spiral.

For Extra Beauty:

On the wire under the button flower, grab the wire with the pliers where a nice spiral is desired. Twist the wire around the pliers, loosely so that the pliers can be removed. Straighten up the wire a bit above and below the pretty little spiral so that the flower stands tall.

Once the button flower is finished, insert it into one of the holes on the shaker lid.

You can fill the shaker with as little or as many as you wish. If you had lots of the button flowers, you could put in a new bouquet every few days.

Categories: Handmade, Inspirations, Life, The Home