A new craft

I have had the particular pattern book, Easy Chain Mail, in my mitts for quite some time...

I was passing a Hobbycraft a couple of years ago. I hadn't planned on going in nor buying but that day something made me. Once inside I skipped through the aisles, oooing and ahhing at all the lovely goodies when this book caught my eye. I had never tried chain mail jewellery making before but a particular pattern in here took my fancy. I bought the book, a couple of pairs of pliers and more than enough silver jump-rings to complete the pattern I liked and headed home.

The book and it's friends were placed into my craft box never to be seen again until this week, when with my new-found crafty venom linked with signing up to Monthly Makes, made them re-enter into my mind and mitts.

This was the bracelet that had caught my eye... the Tryzantine Bracelet...

I would say that I am quite confident in the crafts that I have dabbled with but I knew from the instructions that this was going to require some serious concentration and patience. I even had to consult a friend at one point because I just couldn't see what I was doing wrong.

After a quick natter I set off again and my bracelet grew...

And here was the final item.

I love it so much that I made a matching choker necklace too :)

Buttons Galore!

So, after seeing this gorgeous Button Christmas Wreath featured on Kat got the Cream's blog and made by Rosie Scott-Massie, I started to feel all crafty.

I went on the hunt for buttons!

I was actually quite surprised at the lack of buttons to be honest. I scoured the charity shops and even dry cleaners to no avail :(

I raided my wardrobes and drawers and located several items that were never going to see the light of day again and I proceeded to reach for the scissors to gleam the little nuggets.

I then remembered that my mum had a large jar of buttons... I got my handa on said jar and handpicked some lovelies.

I felt a Christmas Wreath was a little ambitious as a newbie so thought I'd attempt something a little simpler - a bracelet...

Using some clear elastic thread I set about lining my chosen buttons in the order to thread and voila, bracelet numero uno!

I'm not sure and the jury is out still but I'd say not bad for a first attempt :)

This whole experience has taught me something though... I want my own button jar!!