You can make very original jewelry with mother-of-pearl-buttons!

Mother of pearl, also called nacre is taken from the inner layer of a shell and comes in white, off white and grey to dark grey shades.

There is something very special, elegant and feminine about mother of pearl may be it is due to its soft, silky, iridescent texture!

The most common one is simple round and almost flat. You will be able to find them in any haberdashery in two or three different sizes.
We made this choker with two different sizes of buttons and it is embellish on its center with pearls and aquamarine gemstones. Very simple and cute!

As easy as 1-2-3 with a fun and creative spirit!

We use them also as supports to make rings with beaded flowers glued on them.
You can also glue a flat charm, a smaller button, a felted flower…, endless possibilities! Then glue a ring finding on its back and in few minutes, you will make a nice "cocktail ring"!

Nowadays, with the new technologies, you can find very fancy and unusual types of mother-of-pearl-buttons:

• printed buttons with unimaginable different images like old pictures, insects, fabric patterns to name a few…
• lazer cut motifs like birds, heart, flowers, leaves, peace…
• Engraved patterns on the button itself.
• Dyed or enameled. Enameled buttons have shiny aspect and come in beautiful , beautiful colors!

Mother of pearl is a very versatile material which can be "worked" in many ways for our delight!

The lace buttons used for these earrings have a really intricate and sophisticated pattern found in a Parisian craft store but sorry, they have no e-store. I will do my best to find similar items.

White is never off fashion and goes in any season. These casual earrings can be wore any time and they will match perfectly with glass pearls or the button choker for example.

Note that we have made these earrings with craft findings but we should have used sterling silver eye and head pins and chain for the hooks and the dangles. They are worth it!
We have seen jewelry made with these buttons with gold filled and it was fabulous. Sometime, if we can offered it, we should go a step up and go for a better quality. don't you think so?

Another idea with this button: charm bracelet with a thin cotton or leather cord are very trendy. This button alone strung on a black cord should be stunning around a wrist. Add an heart tag or charm and it is a perfect gift idea made in a snap!

Let's now how to make them!

Supplies