Welcome to Inside the Studio!
Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you’ll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
Congratulations Ali/Rouladen! You have won a Starfish Pendant from Humblebeads.
Please send Heather an e-mail with your information.
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| Lotus Buttons |
Happy Friday! I thought I would share my process for making buttons.
I would show my studio but the ceiling is being repaired from a leak and its a disaster.
First I make a prototype which involves carving the design out of clay that is in the leather hard stage. I use many different tools and brushes to get the design ready to mold, making sure there are no undercuts. The clay would not release from the mold if there are undercuts.
A plaster mold is made of the prototype. In this example I used a paper bowl to pour the mold. Tacky glue is used to glue the prototype to the bottom of the bowl to prevent it from floating. This one is off center and looks like it may have floated a little. Patience…let the glue dry 🙂
Customers order their button style(s) and hole or loop configuration. I can put as many hole or loops as you would like. Have it your way!
They are left to dry.
When the buttons dry it is referred as bone dry stage or Greenware. At this stage I sand the backs, clean and smooth all edges and holes. You don’t want anything sharp that may scratch/cut anyone or pull your clothing.
Some underglazes are applied to the greenware.
Bisque fired buttons. Nice and smooth. You can rub them on your clothing without snagging, the same can’t be said for my hands.
I sign all my buttons and add my website. It gets a little tricky on the tiny buttons.
All buttons can become a pendant or jewelry component.
Assortment of buttons with loops and holes. The dragonfly button in the picture is slightly curved for a bracelet component.
It’s up to how you will be using your buttons: No Holes, Shank, 2 Holes, 4 Holes, 1 Hole-Top, 2 Holes-Top&Bottom, 1 Loop-Top, 2 Loops-Top&Bottom, 2 Loops-Left&Right, 1 Loop Top/3Bottom, etc.
Same goes for beads, holes or loops!
Special orders don’t upset us!
My Question is:
What do you do when your bead/button table isn’t calling your name?
Mine is buried at the moment.
Mine is buried at the moment.
Leave your answer to the question in the comments
and you could win a $10 Gift Certificate.
Have a great day!!
Feeling Sassy as usual!
Tari Sasser
Shaiha
July 18, 2014 at 8:53 pmI know that this isn't the answer that you are probably looking for but I tend to just give my muse a break if she isn't wanting to come out to play. I am lucky (or unlucky) enough to still be able to do this as a hobby. I know once I do actually start selling my jewelry as a business I would probably stress but at this point, it all about relaxation and enjoyment.
Carol Briody
July 18, 2014 at 11:17 pmHi Tari! Well first, let me say wowza to your buttons! They are beautiful. Thank you for sharing the process and your creations. Can I ask you what an 'undercut' is? I've never worked in your style/medium, but was totally interested and want to understand it fully. This seems like a very important step?
…oh, when the bead table doesn't call me, I fret and go in to 'check on it', at the very least. Then, I organize a bit, and before I know it, we are friends again and the laundry, cooking and cleaning fall behind… I like beading more!
Gale
July 19, 2014 at 12:14 amJust had surgery on my hand, so I went to a sculpture garden with my sisters to console myself for not being able to work!
Love your buttons!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
July 19, 2014 at 2:54 amShaiha lucky you!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
July 19, 2014 at 3:07 amThank you so much Carol!
Imagine a floor and a wall they are 90% angle and if you pressed clay into it for its impression you would be able to pull it out smoothly with no resistance. Take the same example of the floor and wall except where they meet you cut into the wall and created a lip of sorts. If you pressed clay into the mold the clay would go under where you cut creating resistance and making it difficult to remove the clay without distorting the design.
I hope that helps.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
July 19, 2014 at 3:11 amGale, I'm having hand issues myself too. It's hard to accept most days. Heal quickly so you can get back to creating.
Thanks for visiting!
Veralynne Malone
July 19, 2014 at 11:04 amIf my table isn't calling me which it doesn't on occasions. I either crochet or read….til I am ready to tackle the next challenge!
Kristen
July 19, 2014 at 11:06 amI recently cleaned and organized my studio (the mess was completely my fault)and I'm feeling so much more creative! I'm trying very hard to keep things put away and neat. And one new thing I've made is enameled buttons! I too have hand problems. Arthritis, yuck. It's discouraging.
Sparky watson
July 19, 2014 at 11:49 amI sit it aside and move onto the next thing. Sometimes I leave my studio and do something else to clear my mind.
I come back and start with whatever inspires me.
I have had some beads sitting around awhile waiting for the right components.
Kathy Lindemer
July 19, 2014 at 11:52 amThanks for sharing your process. Your buttons are amazing works of art.
When my bead table isn't calling I accept it and use the time I could be beading to work on other projects like housework so that when I get inspired I will have the time. Time and inspiration always need to be balanced.
Tracee Dock - The Classic Bead
July 19, 2014 at 12:16 pmWhen my table is not calling my name I clean and organize…by the time I get done I've usually run across something during the process that prompts a design idea! AND bonus….I'm a little more organized than I was when I started.
Klassy Joolz
July 19, 2014 at 3:55 pmI clean up my desk (that's what I have to work on)…no studio…sigh and organize my mess. I try to place things away in my storage box organizers the way I may want to design with them again. My designing situation is far from perfect. So when the muse is in I try again.
Becky Pancake
July 20, 2014 at 12:12 amHi Tari, Thanx for showing your button process. I found it very interesting. It's great that you offer so many options for your designs. When my muse is off I go cruise Pinterist or look through a blog hop for inspiration. Sometimes I just set that piece aside and work on something else. usually when I come back the ideas flow.
Jo
July 20, 2014 at 5:25 pmTari,
When my table isn't calling my name, I go to my nearby & wonderful bookstore that stocks many delightful artisans books. I choose one (sometimes more:). Sometimes I'll make an additional stop for a mani/pedi. By the time I've been away from home, been pampered & inspired, I'm ready to be creative again. Hope this works for you too!
By the way, love your work.
Jo
Susan Lloyd
July 21, 2014 at 12:14 pmgo to pinterest for inspiration. invariably, i will see something and think, ahhhhh, and the creative juices spark
bairozan
July 21, 2014 at 2:42 pmNo recipe here either 🙂 My table was such a mess that I cleaned it the other day and gave myself a break. I will regularly go through my Pinterest and inspirational files on my computer and will hopefully find my mojo before the end of the week!
Lori Minahan
July 21, 2014 at 4:54 pmMy muse has been absent for a week or so. I am at a low point right now. Reading this blog and others is so inspirational. I have several ideas in mind but I just cant seem to approach my beading table. Maybe a walk to the creek or the river or just hanging out with my donkey will help. I need to pull out of this fast and get my muse to come home.