The funny thing about this comment was that I don't always feel that creative. I know I do a lot of creative things: make glitter purses, embroider all the things, sew, bake elaborate confections, volunteer at a museum. Sometimes, though, I have zero creative energy to do these things. I have three unfinished embroidery projects in my house right now. I know I need to finish them, but I come home from work and just don't have the energy to work on them. Preparing for a tour, something I truly love doing, is like having a second job (although one where I get to make vagina jokes and make fun of the myth of the white male genius painter).
What I've come to realize is that I'm often too ambitious in my creative endeavors. I put a lot of pressure on myself to make a certain thing or write a specific thing. Doing that saps the creativity right out of me. Comparing myself to other artists and crafters is equally draining. What I've realized recently is focusing on small projects may be the best way for me to get over my overachiever, perfectionist tendencies and enjoy the creative process. Yes, that's it exactly.
Enter the button maker.
I don't know your life, but I can tell you one thing about mine: I have wanted a button maker since I was twelve years old. I would love to say it was the release on one of my favorite movies, Empire Records, that inspired me but that movie wasn't out yet. Maybe it was because I went to my first concert the year prior, and started buying concert merchandise like buttons. Maybe it was because I was going through my 1960s/hippie phase, and buttons were a big thing. I don't really know. All I know is that I've always wanted a button maker.
I asked for one a few times over the years, but no one ever bought me one. Yes, I'm now an adult and can buy my own things, but I always come back to the idea that this would be the easiest gift in the world to get me. A button maker or a label maker...I am easily pleased. Finally, for my birthday this year, my friend Anita bought me a button maker. My life is now complete.
Button making is easy and surprisingly soothing. I could make buttons for hours if that was all I needed to do in my life. The tricky part is to the get the placement of the image or words right on the button; the model I have is for 25mm buttons, the smallest size. Images are easier than words, but anything will work.
We hit the jackpot with some old magazine Anita brought over. One was a Rolling Stone issue on the greatest albums from the 90s. The album covers were the perfect size to cut out and make into buttons. Between the two of us, I think we made over a dozen buttons. They're amazing and I will wear them with pride.
I also made a fabric button (lower left, green flowers) and embroidered a design on some denim (under the Nirvana album). I used too thick of a thread for that one, but definitely think the embroidery buttons could be a fun, small project. And that's the thing about buttons: it's a little project that takes less than a minute to make. Can't draw or paint or embroider? No problem! You can still make a button. All you need is a cutout image and the button maker. It's also a low impact arm workout; who doesn't love any activity that combines fitness and art?
I'm convinced there is such as thing as a "button making zone." Had we not decided to start watching Stranger Things, I'm pretty certain I would have just kept making buttons all afternoon. I've started collecting little pictures and magazine pages to turn into buttons. I'm practicing tiny lettering so I can fit words on the buttons in the right position. Some people meditate, I make buttons.
So now, dear Island readers, what should I name the button maker? I feel like it needs a name. Any suggestions?
Coming this summer to the Island: a few new Lazy Movie Weekend posts, I enter the Arlington County Baking Contest, and Keely helps you ease your way out of summer (because he's a very smart cat).
I asked for one a few times over the years, but no one ever bought me one. Yes, I'm now an adult and can buy my own things, but I always come back to the idea that this would be the easiest gift in the world to get me. A button maker or a label maker...I am easily pleased. Finally, for my birthday this year, my friend Anita bought me a button maker. My life is now complete.
Button making is easy and surprisingly soothing. I could make buttons for hours if that was all I needed to do in my life. The tricky part is to the get the placement of the image or words right on the button; the model I have is for 25mm buttons, the smallest size. Images are easier than words, but anything will work.
We hit the jackpot with some old magazine Anita brought over. One was a Rolling Stone issue on the greatest albums from the 90s. The album covers were the perfect size to cut out and make into buttons. Between the two of us, I think we made over a dozen buttons. They're amazing and I will wear them with pride.
I also made a fabric button (lower left, green flowers) and embroidered a design on some denim (under the Nirvana album). I used too thick of a thread for that one, but definitely think the embroidery buttons could be a fun, small project. And that's the thing about buttons: it's a little project that takes less than a minute to make. Can't draw or paint or embroider? No problem! You can still make a button. All you need is a cutout image and the button maker. It's also a low impact arm workout; who doesn't love any activity that combines fitness and art?
I'm convinced there is such as thing as a "button making zone." Had we not decided to start watching Stranger Things, I'm pretty certain I would have just kept making buttons all afternoon. I've started collecting little pictures and magazine pages to turn into buttons. I'm practicing tiny lettering so I can fit words on the buttons in the right position. Some people meditate, I make buttons.
So now, dear Island readers, what should I name the button maker? I feel like it needs a name. Any suggestions?
Coming this summer to the Island: a few new Lazy Movie Weekend posts, I enter the Arlington County Baking Contest, and Keely helps you ease your way out of summer (because he's a very smart cat).
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