Christmas Calm Treasury List

Are you trying to keep your Christmas shopping local this year? Or joining the handmade revolution? Come take a look at this seasonal treasury list I've put together, featuring cool and calm Winter greens and blues. All of these lovely items were created by members of the craftyirelandteam on Etsy, and most have been handmade here in Ireland.

A Pretty Picnic

 

On Easter Sunday we went for a fun and delicious picnic to Rineen Wood in West Cork, where we enjoyed our lunch in the sparkling sunshine, Bliss! I decided to myself it would be the first picnic of many this year, so I'm going to make sure we get out for lovely day trips as much as we can. So, who wants to come along? :)

Featured items:

1. 1970s Summer Splash Pitcher and Glasses, from BootsNGus

2. Good Day Sunshine, Hat, from littlemissdaffodil

3. Hill Country Lavender 4oz WesternCowboy Mason Jar Candle, from truetexassscents

4. Cloth Picnic Napkins, GreenGingham, set of 6, from PeppermintPinwheels

5. Charming Renaissance Woodland Fairy Garland Wreath, from avintagebride

6. Set of Vintage Japanese Pedestal Mugs, from DawnJessica

7. Harvest Bunting Banner in Green, Orange, Purple, from Pamelaquilts

8. Vintage 70s Hobbit Floral Saddle Bag, from OmniaWears

Treasury Love

My Dauphine Button Ring was featured this week in this pretty Spring treasury, curated by MadeWithLoveAndArt .
It was also in the spotlight in two Etsy Finds emails yesterday!
Lucky me :)

Although Dauphine is now sold, along with lots of other rings that have been snapped up the past few days, I'm happy to make something very similar. Drop me a line or visit my shop if you'd like some special button jewellery made just for you ♥

Free Magpie and Button Bracelet!

Magpie and Button is 2 years old today! It's amazing to think it's such a long time since I set up my little etsy shop. What a great couple of years it's been, thanks to all my lovely customers, blog readers, facebook fans and friends ♥

As a special gift to you all, you can now receive 20% OFF ANY PURCHASE for the whole month of March, by using the coupon code BIRTHDAY20 when you check out, on magpieandbutton.etsy.com  Yay!!!

But that's not all! I'm also giving away the very special prize of a gorgeous custom-made button bracelet to one of you! All you have to do to be in with a chance is become a follower of this blog and comment on this post. Of course existing followers can enter too, just leave a comment below. What an easy way to get a free bracelet, made especially for you, using your favourite colours :) The bracelets pictured above can give you some ideas, or you can come up with your own colourscheme to create a one of a kind piece.

Within a week I'll enter everyone who has commented into a draw and pull out the lucky winner of this lovely bracelet, worth over $25! Oh, and there will also be a mystery prize included with the bracelet - an EXTRA BONUS for you!

So, do you want a birthday present from Magpie and Button?
Then become a follower and get commenting :)

♥ Thanks everyone, and good luck ♥

What else but...

As anyone who knows me is well aware, I really do love buttons and, by association, many things made with them. With this in mind, I've gathered up not one but two selections of adorable items from wonderful Etsy sellers who do wonders with the humble button! What better way to kick off the blog's new year :)

 

This first collection features a stunning blue glass bracelet by fellow Etsy Ireland team member Balanced, a cute felt and button brooch by bucketofuzz, a really quirky fascinator by crafty Australian gal Nicole, of NicAnswer, a very sweet little button bookmark from greenlacecorner, an absolutely adorable apple jacket by jacquelineknits, and a practical and pretty double oven mitt by Helen of ModernHomewares.

How cute are these girlie button items?! lovahandmade's whimsical plush owl is just gorgeous :) Etsy Ireland team members LolaDee, homespunireland and heatherstreasure often feature in team treasuries, and here they are again with gorgeous things to tempt us.

So, what about you? Do you collect buttons or use them in your crafts?

Also, if anyone of you has a jar, tin, box or bag of buttons lying around the house and would like them made into something special, drop me a line and let me know! 

Beth

Treasury Love

The lovely Anne Marie of byAMOR has featured my Elise Button Necklace in her new gift treasury on Etsy :)
Thank you!

Etsian serendipity

 I've sometimes met people who had previously been unknown to me aside from an "online" alias, whether it's being introduced to a friend of a friend I've already encountered on facebook, or meeting with up the talented members of the Etsy craftyirelandteam.


Very recently I've had the pleasure of meeting a fellow Etsian, Lisa Falzon, also known as Meluseena. Since I started my own Etsy shop in 2009, I have admired Meluseena's gorgeous art work, and had featured it in both my own and the craftyirelandteam blog. Earlier this year my sister Ruth secretly commissioned a special painting of "Snow White and Rose Red" by Meluseena for my 30th birthday, and I absolutely love it! It was the perfect present.

In the completely Etsy free side of my life, I joined Cork's roller derby league this month (the fabulous Rebel County Rollers), and on my first day of training I was introduced to Lisa, who I immediately recognised as Meluseena herself! How exciting! I am delighted to make a real life link with yet another Etsy artist, and especially glad that Lisa is just such a lovely person to know :) She even brought me a little present at training on Sunday, which is a beautiful pendant printed with the Snow White and Rose Red picture. How thoughtful!

So, I just want to say a big thank you to Lisa/Meluseena for the gift, and also invite you all to take a look at her amazing Etsy shop. Here are some gorgeous examples of original work by this talented artist.

Featured:
The Peckish Moon large print
Queen Elizabeth cuff bracelet
Ann Boleyn pocket art mirror
Jumpin Jack Me lustre print

Buttons!

I love buttons! ... but I'm guessing you already knew that ;)

Here are some other Etsy sellers who love them too, and are making some very cute items using either new or repurposed buttons.

Chocolate Brown Letter S Pillow by letterperfectdesigns
Candy Floss at the Circus, Large Button Felt Brooch by nicedaydesigns 

Hand Embroidered Simple White Flowers Wall Hoop Art by AnnaHailey
Pastel Garden iPhone iPod Cozy by SewSweetStitches

Thanks Very Much Card by LuckyRainbowDesigns
The Diamonds and Pearls Button Bouquet by letters4lilly

Do you collect buttons or use them for crafting? Leave me a comment to let me know! I'd love to feature you or your work in a future blog post about buttony fun :)

Beth

Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile

Well, I've decided I'm definitely going to be Cleopatra for Halloween this year. I've started to put together some bits and pieces for my costume, and I've already bought two parts of it :) A lot of it will be homemade, as usual. I'm going to have a white dress and gold jewellery, with a twist or two to the accessories, yet to be confirmed! So, while I've been deciding on the finer details and browsing for treasures, I found these beautiful Egyptian themed items on Etsy, all of which have me dreaming of a boat trip down the Nile in the hot sun...

Featured items:
1. Handmade Bracelet by wwwjewelrybyandrea
2. Philae Temple 02 Print by Artitorium
3. Pharaoh Perfume by solsticescents
4. Egyptian Gold Safety Pin Bracelet by MysticLily
5. Egyptian Scarab Earrings by GardenOfSecrets
6. Cleopatra Egyptian Revival Style Cigarette Holder by sweetheartsinner
7. Tribal Tattoo Armlet by catchalljewelry

An Autumn wedding

Featured items:
Satin Flat Shoes by cheerfulrosette
Rich Poppy Wrap by bonzie
Upcycled Steampunk Shoes by EvitaAFD
Forest Mushrooms Clutch Bag by BagNoir
Poison Apple Button Bracelet by magpieandbutton
Autumn Berries Flower Fascinator by SewSweetStitches

Ladies and Gentlemen...

Andrea has won this "Sew Cute" Magpie and Button necklace and a special bonus prize too. Keep an eye out for more giveaways and fun posts here, and in the meantime, check out my etsy shop for new Autumn button jewellery :)

Blog Giveaway!!!

Hello!
Well, I've been very busy lately with Magpie and Button, and have had lots of sales, orders and general good karma coming my way. I think it's time to share the love ♥  so I'm giving away this gorgeous necklace to one of YOU! Yay!!!

All you have to do to be in with a chance is become a follower of this blog and comment on this post. Of course existing followers can enter too, just leave a comment below. What an easy way to get a free necklace ;)

Within a week I'll enter everyone who has commented into a draw and pull out the lucky winner of the Sew Cute Button Necklace, worth over $20! Oh, and there's also a mystery prize included with the necklace - an EXTRA BONUS for you!

So, do you want free stuff?
Then become a follower and get commenting :)

♥ Thanks everyone, and good luck ♥

If you go down to the woods today...

... you probably won't find me! Not this week at least. You're more likely to find me shopping! Being a  teacher I tend to think of Autumn as the beginning of the year, and so it often feels like the time to start fresh. When I was younger that meant shiny school shoes and a snazzy new pencil case, (it still means both of those things actually!) but this year I'm thinking of re-vamping bits of the house as well, for a new start! I want to do up my bedroom, but of course there are a few things in there I'll always keep...

These are all parts of my room that I love. I probably have too many treasures really, and I realise this every time I move house, though it never stops me gathering pretty bits and bobs!

I really like this forest fairytale part of my room, though I know if it grows and takes up any more of the place it'll look way to cartoony and girly! Since dressing up as Snow White last year I've daydreamed about living in a cottage in the woods. I probably won't add any more woodland touches to my current house, but if I move to the forest here are a few things I'd definitely take with me!

(Incidentally, the Snow White and Rose Red print by meluseena was actually commissioned especially for lucky me! My sister Ruth knew I loved Lisa Falzon/meluseena's work and had it designed for me for my 30th birthday. How sweet! x)

Featured items:
Snow White and Rose Red Print by meluseena
Tiny Gnome Village by MoontsyandFloontsy
Poison Apple Button Bracelet by magpieandbutton
Tiny Ivy Leaf Necklace by SilkstoneDesigns
Little Red Riding Hood Print by elsita
Forest Mushrooms Silk Lined Clutch Bag by Bagnoir
White Tree Silhouette Pillow Cover by Modernality
Woodland Acorn Necklace by designbirdie

So... who wants to move in with me? ;)

Tea time!

Earlier this week I went with my Dad to help him clear out some things from my late Granduncle's house in East Cork. We found some really interesting bits and pieces, from Uncle Steve's RAF memorabilia to his old binoculars, and hand knitted dolls made by his wife May, along with some mutant spiders and alot of dust!

One thing we came across was a very pretty china teaset, which Dad later said I could have if I liked. I was delighted as it really reminded me of going for Sunday tea at May and Steve's when we were small :)
So, I wrapped it in plastic, took it home and carefully cleaned up the cups, saucers, plates, jug and sugarbowl, and now I think it's the prettiest teaset I've ever seen!

Apart from a small crack in the sugarbowl, it's all perfect, and the bright turquoise and pink pattern is really vibrant. Even the gold edges on each piece are all intact. I want to display it on the shelves in our little sitting room, but I can't wait to actually serve use it first. Tea, my dear? And sugar? One lump or two?

How cute would these plates look filled with French fancies, cucumber sandwiches or macaroons?!  I'll have to have some friends over for some girlie afternoon tea really soon.

Below are some gorgeous items I found on Etsy while day dreaming about the perfect Summery tea party...

Featured items:
1. Bunting by giggleberry
2. Box of Macarons by Bokolette
3. Eat Me Party Picks by vintagetwee
4. Custom Patchwork Dress by mariansmale
5. Pink n Orange Sparkly Napkin Ring by Vividhome
6. French Pink Vanilla Cupcakes by SugarPlumsCupcakery
7. Custom Handpainted Maryjanes by Puremystyc
8. Aqua Star Burst Tealight Votive by yevgenia
9. Pink Lilies Earrings by blueserendipity

New photos!

Last week I packed up lots of necklaces, rings and bracelets, grabbed my trusty camera and my model Áine, and we made the most of a gorgeously summery day by heading over to the park for a photoshoot!
I think it's great to have model shots of the jewellery, as you can get a better idea of the size of a piece and how it might to look on you, or see how much fun it is to wear buttony jewellery!

We had such a fun and sunny afternoon :)
Here are a few snaps of Áine wearing some cute pieces from Magpie and Button's Etsy shop...

Why Buttons?

People often ask me how and why I started making jewellery out of buttons. I'm by no means unique in doing so, in fact buttons have been used for more than functional fastening throughout history.


In 1520, King Francis I of France ordered 13,400 decorative buttons from his jeweller. They were sewn, purely as embellishment, onto a black velvet suit, which he wore to a meeting with King Henry VIII of England, in an effort to impress (or dazzle!) him into alliance. Button jewellery was in fashion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when young ladies would save buttons on long cords, called button charm strings, until they had 999 buttons. Not only would she seek buttons for her string but family members and friends would also give buttons to her. Apparently when the 1000th button was placed on the young lady's long necklace, her Prince Charming would appear!

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, turning buttons into earrings became a hobby for thrifty gals in America. They would take fancy buttons off their old dresses, and make earrings out of them as gifts.


My Grandmother was a seamstress, and during her many years of work she gathered a huge collection of buttons, some of which belonged to her own grandmother. Playing with the contents of Granny's button box was a delight every time we visited her house as children. We'd spill out hundreds of them to count and sort through the treasure, or use them as counters for Ludo and Snakes and Ladders, or as play money in an imaginary shop, or as pretend sweets at a dolly tea party.

My mom had a smaller collection, though there were sparkly and shiny gems to be found there as well, so over the years I liked to admire those too. I made my first button jewellery using some from that collection, over 15 years ago! I bent florist's wire into circles and then threaded buttons and tiny seedbeads on to make little rings for my schoolfriends.

After over a decade of dabbling in beading and making small pieces of jewellery, mostly for gifts, my sister and I found some of those button rings last year, and Magpie and Button was born when I decided to make button jewellery again!

The designs have changed but I do still make button rings, along with pendants, charm bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Some of the buttons I use in these pieces are new, but more of them have already had a previous life on a jacket or dress from many years ago. A few have even come from my own Granny's button box.

 I just love the idea of re-using these old buttons to create something new and special, and have lately been thinking that probably many homes have a button collection somewhere... are there treasures stored away in a sewing box, sweet jar or cigar box in your house?

Purple...

 

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've been using alot of purple in new jewellery pieces recently. I've also been seeking out purple pretties in other shops! Here is a selection of gorgeous purple items from some wonderful Irish Etsy sellers. From delicate mauve like the flower in this necklace from ABoxForMyTreasure, to the soft heather colours in hedgehogfibres' yarn and the really vibrant violet of AlejandraJacoby's earrings, purple can so versatile and pretty. I just love it!

Featured items:

Taryn amethyst and brass necklace by Balanced

The Peckish Moon handmade notebook by meluseena

Teardrop silk/merino yarn by hedgehogfibres

Stained glass suncatcher byRainbowStainedGlass

Purple crocheted doily earrings by AlejandraJacoby

Romantic purple rose and pearl necklace by ABoxForMyTreasure

Hydrangea leather cuff bracelet by SilkstoneDesigns

Summer jewellery

I've been gathering some really pretty buttons and beads in the past few weeks to make new Summer pieces for my Etsy shop. I love floral patterns at the moment so I've used them many of the designs. Purples seem to be featuring alot too - it can be such a Summer colour.

< Peony Button Necklace

I like to put purple with greens and blues, it's such a soft and natural combination of colours. In this button bracelet I've also included some silvery mussel shell charms as the colours of the buttons reminded me of the sea.


Shoreline Button Bracelet >

Many recent additions to my shop have been nautically themed, as it's a style I've admired in fashion lately. I've used alot of navy, white and red in other pieces, but with this necklace I've kept things simple and stuck with silver and grey. I love the cute anchor charm!

< Anchors Away Button Necklace

Button rings are some of my best sellers, and since they were the first pieces of jewellery I ever made (though the design has changed alot in 17 years since the first ones!) I love to see that people still enjoy them. They always seem to draw compliments as they're just a little bit quirky :)

Sweetpea Button Ring >


These items are all available at magpieandbutton.etsy.com right now!
Of course if you'd prefer to see some jewellery 'in person', I'm having my third Magpie and Button jewellery night on Friday June 18th at Jacob's Island.

I'd love to see you there for a glass of wine and to have a browse through the jewellery. As always, bring a friend or two with you if you like. Just contact me for more details!

Yesterday's news

This week I've really been thinking alot about recycling and repurposing things. I always try to keep and reuse what I can, especially paper and card, so I have drawers and boxes full of all sorts of scraps and wrapping paper. I'd love to say I'll use them all eventually but in reality I probably won't!

However, here are some wonderful Etsy sellers who have used old newspapers and books in lots of different ways to create some amazing things. Isn't JustLiv's headband so cute? And I love love LOVE the idea of the paper wreath, like this romantic one from SimpleJoysPaperie. It's so great to see such imaginative repurposing of paper to make beautiful craft items.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on how we can make use of the papers many of us have been hoarding... any ideas?

Featured items:
Origami Newspaper Crane Garland by arawlins
Custom Initial Necklace by EsmeDodsworthDesign
Recycled Bow Headband by JustLiv
Big News Notebook by cucumbersoup
Present Topper Kit by InklingPaper
Romantic Vintage French Book Paper Wreath by SimpleJoysPaperie
Recycled Paper Bead Earrings by hippiekingdom
Vintage Dictionary Bird Cutouts by mommyholly

Cinco de Mayo

Oh I just love the idea of a Mexican barbecue party. Thinking about margaritas, burritos and bunting make me want to put a flower (or even better, TanyaMac's happy hairband!) in my hair and dance around! Anyone know a good Mariachi band?

These are some of my favourite Etsy picks on the Mexican fiesta theme. Aren't those crochet cacti by acrudele the cutest things ever?! I'd love these for my sun room. We put up some bunting like aymujer's in there last week, and it feels so bright and festive. I think propeller's cheery little gift tags would be gorgeous on party favours, or even strung together as a garland.

Now all we need is a sunny day!

Featured items:
1. Remington Rae's Fiesta Earrings by octaviabloom
2. Papel Picado Banners by aymujer
3. Green Lampwork Bracelet by lightkeeping
4. Green, Turquoise and Red Crochet Applique Circles by AnnieDesign
5. Handbuilt Porcelain Trays by clayswan
6. Day Glo Flo Happy Hairband by TanyaMac
7. Puffball Ocean Blue Gift Tags by propeller
8. Ah Fiesta Necklace by VOimpressions
9. Cacti Trio by acrudele