I was inspired by this Amazing piece of Jewelry from Tom Bjorn Designs on Etsy. I thought: “I can TOTALLY make this myself…” So 2 weeks ago when The Reader and I were flying to Dallas I decided to give it a try! I didn’t bother with all of the smaller beads (they totally add to the necklaces, but I didn’t have any matching ones). I couldn’t believe I was allowed to take this small crochet hook onto the airplane. As well as a small set of scissors. Anyway, I ended up making to different styles. The 2nd one, as seen above, is by FAR my favorite, but there is a place for both.
This couldn’t be easier to make. If you know how to make a chain in Crochet you can make this. I have a ton of this gorgeous thread for the beaded toddler socks I like to make and I found these fun buttons at Jo-ann’s last time I was there. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with them, at the time, but when I saw the necklace I was inspired!
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Materials
thread crochet
buttons
thread crochet hook
First knot your thread, and chain 10.
Crochet your button into the chain, chain another 10, add another button, Repeat!
Do this until your necklace or bracelet is as long as you want it to be! I like mine about 50+ inches! Knot the ends together and using a needle thread the ends into your chain. Now the Tom Bjorn Necklace actually uses a nice jewelry closure, but this was fast and easy and cheap!
The end! I had a hard time getting a necklace shot on the plane, but got a decent bracelet shot. Sorry about all the coloring issues. Correction bad airplane lighting is a TAD bit difficult. You’ll notice that all the buttons are FLAT because of crocheting them into the chain.
For the 2nd one I made I actually threaded all of the buttons for the necklace ONTO the thread before crocheting. So as I worked only one side of the button got caught in the chain. This way the buttons are sticking out rather than flat in the chain. MUCH better I think, don’t you agree??? I am in LOVE… I’ve gone a bit crazy and have made about 10 in the past few weeks, with more to come.
Kara
I think it would be fine to sell yours, they look totally different from the one on Etsy. I get inspiration from Etsy all the time!
Ashlee
really? You think it’s okay? After Char’s story I don’t want someone “coming after me”!!!
Holley
I agree – I think it’s okay to sell yours as long as it’s not an exact replication and you have put your own spin on it. I might suggest adding some little something that’s uniquely you (which you may already be doing), or that separates your design a little more from the original, just to cover yourself.
There are so few ideas that are truly original, and everyone who creates is inspired by something. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking inspiration and running with it!
Ashlee
Agreed, I get inspired a lot, but I just don’t want to upset anyone. I’ll have to try to think of a way to make it more… mine!. Thanks for the suggestion!
Onica @ The Peasant Housewife
LOVE this! And as a knitter/crocheter… why didn’t I think of this? Dangit! You should sell it. Like Holley said there is not much left that’s super unique anymore.
Ashlee
Easy, huh? When I saw the other one that’s what I thought!
To Sew With Love
What a darling! I so love it! you are so talented!
Ashlee
Thanks!!! I have made a few different colors and wear one every day! I love them!
Allie
OMG! Absolutely adorable! Sell ’em! On Etsy or wherever! You have given credit, so you are in the clear! And you figured it out on your own! I am going to use your tutorial to make the garland for our Farmhouse tree! And If I actually get it done before Christmas(yeah, right) I am going to put it on my blog and link to you!
Ashlee
Thank you! I’m so glad you like them! I was planning on doing garland too! I have it all ready to make, but just haven’t had the time yet!
Diane @ home sweet homemade
I love this sweet idea. I’m all about buttons – covered one of my Christmas trees with a button garland and button star this year. Need to replenish my supply of pretty buttons to try to make one of these long wrapping button bracelets! No idea on the etsy question. I wonder about that kind of stuff all the time.
Ashlee
I am TOTALLY going to make garland this way. I’d love to see your button garland!!! I like the white knots, but didn’t see the buttons!!! I know the etsy thing is always a bit stressfull! I think as long as I stick with the buttons and don’t go into the other beads like they have I’m okay. We’ll see. I’ve been too busy to even think about adding anything to the store right now!
Amanda @ House Revivals
So that’s how that’s done! It’s always seemed so magical to me, to see beads and objects crocheted into something 🙂
~Amanda
Ashlee
Thanks! I hope the instructions were clear enough! Thanks for dropping by!
Kristen
I LOVE it! And I think it is totally fine to sell something that you were inspired by. Everyone is inspired by things and nothing would be sold if we were all not afraid to sell it. Does that make any sense? haha. I just mean life is inspiring 🙂
Ashlee
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m planning on adding a few thing to my shop in Januaryl
brandi
I think you should go for it! I’m sure everyone pulls inspiration from somewhere to create their own. Good luck with your shop!
Ashlee
thanks for the encouragement!
Lizzy
I’m really loving this. I held on to a pattern for several years that was similar to this but I never got around to making it so I finally threw it away. Yours is WAY cuter!
Ashlee
Thanks! I’m sure there are better and more fun ways’ to do this, but it was quick, easy and I love it!
Marcie
I collect buttons from rummage sales and thrift shops, often when they have $! bag sales. Grab the blouses and dresses with great buttons and end up with unique ones as well as scrap fabric for other projects at less than the cost of one bag of buttons at Micheals! My girls will be getting your bracelets for Christmas with vintage buttons! Thanks for a clear tutorial.
Ashlee
I’m so glad you liked it! It’s quick and easy and works well with small beads and pearls as well!
cassie wassie
what size hook did you use?
Ashlee
you can use any thread hook you want, but I used a size 6
Sarah
Thanks for the great idea! I have a bright pink peace sign pendant I bought a few years ago. A few months later I found these bright buttons that would go perfect with it but still have not been happy with any of my ideas on how to combine them. This would work out perfect. 🙂
Ashlee
ohhh perfect! I’d love to see a picture if you end up using this pattern!