Stitch Markers in Viva Magenta

Wow!  Another fall is here, but with all the raging wildfires that surrounded us this past summer, I must say I am looking forward to cooler weather.  I did manage to work out the Pantone fall colors a while ago but didn't get a chance to post here yet as I was busy filling orders.  I am still dealing with some health issues so I do not get as much done in a day (or week) as I would like, but I am happy if I can at least get a few things accomplished.

I custom make "yarn ball" stitch markers (and holders) for Kelowna Yarn & Needlecrafts based on their store logo.

Yarn Ball Stitch Markers & Holder

Every year I create a batch of stitch markers in the Pantone Color of the Year for their Anniversary sale in September.  Here are the ones I made for this year in Viva Magenta.

Yarn Ball Stitch Markers in Viva Magenta

The stitch markers (and holders) are made exclusively for Kelowna Yarn and available at their store.

I haven't made anything else yet in the Viva Magenta Color but plan to shortly.  I already posted the color recipe with the Pantone Spring colors and you can click on the photo below to see it.

I will be posting the clay recipes for the Pantone fall colors over the next week.  The recipes are again in Kato Clay but may be my final ones I will be sharing.  I am currently working on a revised edition to my Clay Color System tutorial and for those of you who use other brands of clay, will find it to be a very useful tool.  I will share more over the week to give you a sneak peek.

Yarn Ball Buttons

One of the things we love about selling our buttons and shawl pins wholesale is working directly with the shop owners and managers.  We get feedback as to what their needs are so we can customize their orders.

Anne from Kelowna Yarn and Needlecrafts in Kelowna, BC requested some buttons that looked like a ball of yarn to go with a sweater she was knitting.  Here she is wearing it, all finished and with the buttons on.

These buttons have a metal shank and so we made some plain buttons for the inside as "backing supports" as you can see here:

We make our own metal shanks with wire.  We have seen how some people use jump rings but I don't see how that could be strong enough for a button with normal wear and tear.  When we make our buttons, we want them to be practical and functional besides just nice looking.  A button for sewing should be made more durable than a jewelry item such as a brooch or earring.

In my tutorial, "Making Beautiful Buttons" I show how you can make your own button shanks and then actually embed them into the clay so no glue is needed.  Glue (no matter what type) tends to dry out and deteriorate after time and if it is intended to go through the wash, glue will not hold up over time.

More of these yarn ball buttons (in other colors) will be available at Kelowna Yarn & Needlecrafts very soon.