Make a Vintage Button Wind Chime

Creating a button wind chime is a charming way to use old buttons.  If you like to sew or if you are a pack-rat, you probably have an assortment of salvaged buttons just waiting for a project like this.  Making a button wind chime is easy and fun using items that you already have!



Most of the buttons I used for my project came from my grandmother.  I inherited her sewing machine and assorted sewing notions.  She passed away twelve years ago and I've held onto everything.  I'm always on the lookout for unique ways to repurpose Grandma's things. 



Grandma always stocked up when she found a good deal.

The buttons that I used for my wind chime came from this collection of salvaged buttons that my grandmother saved from her worn out garments.

I decided to use fishing line to string the buttons and sinkers to weight them down.

I had leftover crafting wire from a Christmas project that I used to craft the top of my wind chime.  A canning jar ring made a fine hoop to attach the strands of buttons to.

Pay attention to the warning on the sinker package!  I wouldn't handle lead if I were pregnant, nor would I let a child handle it.

I made several knots just to be extra sure the sinker wouldn't slip off.

I made my wind chime with seven strands of various lengths. Fasten them to the ring being sure to secure well.  I wrapped my strands around the ring several times before I tied the knots.  Be sure to leave enough excess line to make several knots on each line.

Use your imagination when stringing your buttons.  It's okay if the buttons touch.  Your wind chime will make more noise that way!

Also, add beads and any other items you have on hand to make your wind chime more interesting. 

~ For more do-it-yourself project ideas check out the following ~

Recycled Crafts Box 

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Jewelry Made From Recycled Plastic Bottles

I've been having so much fun making earrings and necklaces from empty plastic (PET) bottles and milk jugs!   You too can make your own jewelry from plastic bottles that would normally be thrown away or recycled. 
To make your own jewelry, use your imagination.  Save your recycling.  I think the see-through colored bottles are especially pretty.  I've saved many plastic bottles, including soda bottles, body spray bottles and even childrens' "bubble bottles".  You can purchase "findings" (links, etc.) to connect your pieces or you can use wire, fishing line or other items you have on hand. 

Be Kind to Your Mother Earth Shirts by Poppyjuice
Get the best in custom tshirt printing at Zazzle

To make my jewelry I used purchased "fish hook" style earring bases and round links.  I spent just pennies per piece of jewelry.  See the photo tutorial below to make your own!  It's easy, I promise!

For more great ideas on recycling items to make beautiful jewelry and accessories you might want to check out the following resources ~

Green Bling: Turning Bottles Into Bangles (Leisure Arts #4335) (Clever Crafter)

1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse: Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew (1000 Series)

Jewelry Upcycled!: Techniques and Projects for Reusing Metal, Plastic, Glass, Fiber, and Found Objects



Look for bottles that have a "1" OR a
"2" in the recycling "marking" on
the bottom of the bottle.
I've found that this for the most
part includes plastic beverage containers,
medication bottles, body sprays, milk jugs,
etc.




Cut desired shapes from your empty, clean
bottles.




Using pliers or tweezers to protect your hands melt edges slightly to create desired look.  I've researched and PET bottles are considered very safe for melting and
incineration regarding toxic fumes.  I would
recommend that you use common precautions and make certain your work space has adequate ventilation. 



The plastic will sometimes curl rapidly so be very
cautious to protect your hands.  As you can
see, I often don't follow my own advice....



The pieces (depending on the shape) will
look somewhat like this when you are done melting
them.  I use a safety pin to poke holes where
I wish to attach links, etc.



Earrings made with milk jugs ~
Milk jugs can be shaped with twisting but do not respond well to heat.



Earrings fashioned out of milk jugs and
old buttons.



Earrings made from "bubble solution" container



Earrings made from a
soda bottle




Made from soda bottles
and food container lid



Cobalt earrings
from body spray bottle



Earrings made from body
spray bottle.

Amber earrings from medicine bottle

These pieces are a fun way to turn recycled items into wearable art! If I can make these, just imagine what you can do!
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Go Green Just In Time For St. Patrick's Day - Upcycled Soda Bottle Jewelry!

Even though we've been making a concentrated effort on wasting less and using more of what we purchase, I've noticed there are still far too many plastic bottles that come through our home.  Our trash service doesn't offer curbside pickup of our recycling and sometimes it is months before we drop off our recycling.
I reuse bottles as much as possible, but I wanted to take things to the next level!  So in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, I decided to really "go green"!


These "feather" earrings were easy to
make by simply cutting the shapes
out of the side of a bottle and
carefully cutting the individual strands
of the feather with scissors.

 



I used a "fish hook" style earring
to attach the feathers. 

 



These earrings and necklace were a little
trickier to make because I used a lighter
to create enough heat to cause the
"petals" to curl slightly.
Still, they were easy enough once I
decided how I wanted to create the look.

 



A close up of the necklace.  I used fishing string for the
chain but you could use an actual chain.

 



This photo shows the detail better.

 

For this project, I used a 2 liter soda bottle, fishhook earring bases, coupling links, and fishing wire from my husband's tackle box.  I did borrow his needle nosed pliers as well.  I'll probably invest in some jewelry making tools and supplies as I think it will make future projects easier. 

For more great ideas you may want to check out the following

~

Jewelry Upcycled!: Techniques and Projects for Reusing Metal, Plastic, Glass, Fiber, and Found Objects

Jazzy Jewelry: Recycle materials to make cool stuff (ECOCRAFTS)

Green Bling: Turning Bottles Into Bangles (Leisure Arts #4335) (Clever Crafter)

If you liked this article, don't forget to subscribe!  It's easy, just click the link on the right side of this page to receive all the future cool ideas from Poppy's Money Tree House!

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Dress Transformation - From Dowdy to Decent!

  I have a respectable dress that my dear mother gave to me last year.  It's a perfectly good dress but it's very.....matronly.....

Very respectable.....

Without the jacket...
Yawn......

I cut straps off and a little from the arm holes.

I stitched around the armholes to
prevent raveling and made a
1 inch seam at the top
to thread the neck tie through.



I made a tie for the neck
with some old fabric I had.
Then with the same fabric, I
sewed triangular pieces under
the edge of the shortened hem.
For a final touch, I gathered the
skirt slightly at the right knee.































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It's not high fashion but I think it's something that I will wear now!

I challenge you to find something in your closet that you don't like and make a few alterations.  I am far from a great seamstress and if I can up cycle an outfit, then anyone can!

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Bell Bottomed Jeans

 

I've been down with the flu for over a week now and was beginning to get a little stir crazy.  I decided a little altering might make me feel better so this is what I did with my Saturday afternoon.

Big Things Start Small Tee Shirt by Poppyjuice
Design your own custom shirts online at Zazzle



1) I took an old pair of jeans and replaced the pockets with
some from another old pair.  I never liked the way the pockets
on this pair looked...too small.

2) I then made slits from the ankle to the knee on both sides
of the pant leg.  For my leg this was about 15 inches.

3) From another old pair of jeans I took rectangular pieces
15 inches in height with a base of approximately 6 inches.
I pinned right sides together and stitched in place.

4) After stitching triangles into place, I turned right side out
and pressed with my iron.  Impressive flare!

My husband said I need to iron these a
little better to get the right look but I'd say
my first stab at bell bottoms was a success!

Groovy Baby!

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