Unveiling of our Kamloops Button and a Great Quilt Show

We had a great time yesterday as we participated in one of the most unique and best shows ever, -- the 4th annual quilt show put on by Heather's Fabric Shelf in Kamloops, B.C.  The show extended from Heather's store to the Holiday Inn hotel next door which is where we were set up with our display featuring our  handcrafted buttons, accessories and scarf jewelry.  We had the opportunity to show off some of our new designs as well as have a wide selection of our buttons on hand.  I spent part of the time demoing with my clay to show how we make our buttons and other pieces using various techniques.

We had a fun time with Elsie and Donna of Donna's Yarn & Craft who were set-up next to us.  They also  have a large collection of our handcrafted shawl pins, beads, buttons and other wearable accessories in their store.

There were, of course, a lot of fabulous quilts at the show, some of which were real masterpieces.

  

This was a special quilt challenge using a specific fabric to create something unique.  The pieces were incredible with everything from wall hangings and bags to even a bird house!

And of course Heather's Fabric Shelf was filled with customers waiting for an exciting moment to happen in their store -- the unveiling of a new fabric line by a Canadian company, Cantik Batiks.

This is Heather of Heather's Fabric Shelf, along with Kevin (manager) and Shania (the designer) of Cantik Batiks ready to unveil the new fabric line designed especially for Heather's store and this show which is based on some photos taken of Kamloops scenery.

And now the exciting news:  Heather commissioned us to create a special button for this fabric and event.  She also created a handbag pattern incorporating our "Kamloops" button.

And here are a few of the buttons:

And the buttons shown on several bags:

And finally, this is Heather and Bill and their adorable little store mascot/boss.  They were too busy that day to get a picture of the two of them together and since I love this photo, I stole it off their facebook page.  They are an awesome couple and they did a wonderful job on the quilt show and is a real pleasure to  be a part of this event and a real honor to have our handcrafted items in their store.

More Medallion Buttons and Quilt Show

Here are more of our medallion buttons in shades of blues and greens and another grouping in reds.  I love making these and even though the inks can be rather messy to work with I find doodling on each piece relaxing.  The pattern on each of these buttons is different making each one unique and one of a kind.

We have been busy making more of these buttons to fill orders as well as in preparation for several upcoming quilt shows.  The first quilt show is this Sunday, April 14 in Kamloops.  It is at the Holiday Inn and Suites Hotel across from and put on by Heather's Fabric Shelf.

Nothing Wasted

Here is another series of kaleidoscope buttons in bolder colors.  These ones are available at Heather's Fabric Shelf along with some other unique designs made special for there shop.

I love making "Natasha" (inside out) beads from the left-over pieces from my kaleidoscope canes.  I collect the left-overs keeping them organized in batches until I have enough to make a bunch of beads.

Here is one of the beads made from the scrap pile above.

This is a container of my scraps that are rolled into logs ready to make more beads.  

Kaleidoscope Canes and Buttons

I love the effect of kaleidoscopes and we decided to transform them into buttons.  We make them in several sizes with the large one shown on the left measuring 2 inches.

I am not one for making large canes and prefer making smaller ones.  I know there is a saying that you can never have enough of a good cane but I would rather have lots of new designs than a ton of the same pattern to use over a long time.  It keeps things fresh and new as well as making each pattern a "limited edition original".  To make our kaleidoscopes, I like to use left over cane pieces and color blends from my bargello and quilt patterns and coordinate them in a selected color scheme.

There was a lot of discussion lately on a polymer clay forum about how to slice canes that are straight and not wonky.  Like with any polymer clay technique I have developed or learned, I have discovered that to improve your skill it takes practice.  I messed up quite a bit at first trying to slice my canes and today I do most of it free hand without the use of any tool other than my tissue blade.  I just had to practice -- a lot.

CaBezel Necklaces and Mini Tutorial

I hadn't played with Wendy Orlowski's CaBezel molds in a while but had some fun last week making some new cable necklaces.  These pieces and a few more in other colors are now available at Chum 'N Luba's Unique Boutique as an addition to her new spring collection of clothing and accessories.

I love these nylon coated steel cables that come in a variety of colors.  We prefer to cover the metal screw type clasp which gives a more finishing touch to the necklace as well as making it more comfortable to wear around the neck, especially for those with metal allergies.

You can cover the clasp right on the cable as they are generally safe to bake in the oven at the typical clay temperature.  The other option is to cut the screw end off the cable (see below) so you can remove the clasp.  After covering the clasp with clay (C & D) and replacing it on the cable along with your pendant or beads, a new screw end (A) can be reattached.

(B)  Make sure you use heavy duty or memory wire shears to cut the steel cable or you will ruin your good jewelry wire cutters.

(C)  Roll a medium thin sheet of clay out and trim to the same width as the screw clasp.

(D)  Add and rub in a little liquid clay on the clasp before wrapping in the clay.  Make sure the clay fits nice and snug around the clasp so it does not slip after baking.  Bake your clasp.

(E) Replace the clay covered clasp onto the cable and then finish the cable end off with a new screw end piece by crimping tightly with pliers.

Just an update as to where to buy these cables.  They are available in Black at Shades of Clay (scroll down a bit on the page).

Floral Batik Necklace

Here are more of our new batik style flowers in a necklace and now available at Chum 'N Luba's Unique Boutique here in Chase, B.C.

Batik Flowers for Spring

Here are some more batik style flowers in new color combinations in time for spring. The batik fabric-like pattern is created using a variation of mokume gane that I developed myself.  These flowers are made into buttons and finished in three different sizes as well as shawl sticks for the yarn and quilt shops.