CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IT LARGER.
For quite a while I have wanted to make sterling silver buttons. I would love to make some as wearable art for a show jacket that I could wear to an art opening....maybe the theme of the buttons could match the theme of the show. I kept getting bogged down in thinking about what gauge metal would be best?....should they be domed?....Should they be removable for laundering?...etc.
Recently my friend, Kristi, mentioned that she would like some buttons, also. We had a discussion about what kind of imagery or words she might be drawn to. Kristi loves the poem JABBERWOCKY by Lewis Carroll and can recite every word from memory. With her birthday being in September, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try etching some buttons. The photo etching technique I use is a wonderful way to get small lettering on a silver button without distorting the metal.
These buttons are just 1 inch flat discs of 22 gauge sterling silver. I etched a plate of metal first and then punched the buttons out with a disc cutter. When I try this again I think I will go with a slightly heavier gauge metal. Kristi was interested in flat disc type buttons but I still think it would be fun to try some other styles....domed....irregular shapes....etc.
Here is an image of the buttons on Kristi's favorite hemp jacket. You can see one of my HOUSES THAT MEASURE UP pins on the jacket....I think it lives there....a gift from another birthday. She only needed 4 of the 5 buttons and so sewed one on the pocket....I love that idea.
Here is the poem JABBERWOCKY by Lewis Carroll from THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND WHAT ALICE FOUND THERE...1872.
Jabberwocky
by Lewis Carroll
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand;
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
