There are various types of programs available that can be used to design your buttons. I don’t have updates on all of them, but if you have information just let me know. I will be researching the following:
Print Master
Paint Shop Pro
Corel Ultimate Photo II
Not sure about that last one, a customer was telling me about all the ones that she uses and I tried to write all of them down real quick.
The country is still looking for answers with our new President. It’s not a surprise that many are taking a stand and voicing their opinions. A group formed before the yearly Tax Deadline, April 15th of 2009. The site is based on the motto, “We Are Tea’d! – Taxed Enough Already”. You can find organized groups in your area or create your own. Updates are available online and some groups create Facebook pages for more exposure.
You can also order buttons, stickers, TEA-shirts. LOL! Cute.
I know Tax Day has already passed, but now there are rallies scheduled for the 4th of July, 2009. If you missed out on April 15th, here’s your chance to participate. Make sure you protect yourself from the sun if you attend a rally. Always make sure you have your sun screen and water available.
I have never attended a rally, but I hear about them from my wonderful customers.
Many of you have PhotoShop out there. And a large percentage of you wish you knew how to use it better.
Well I was on Twitter today and someone I was following offered this link. As soon as I saw it, I thought about YOU, my customers.
There are examples different photo enhancements you can accomplish on PhotoShop. I hope you have fun with these new PhotoShop Tutorials.
And if you are interested, you can Follow Me on Twitter. When you follow me, please send a direct message telling me where you found me. That way I can add you to a group. When certain news is available I can send a direct message to you right away
To celebrate this special occasion, the Little Pink Plum is offering a free jumbo (2.25″) magnet with any purchase.
There are three types to choose from: Red Bird, Heart on White, or Eiffel Tower.
They are very beautiful and make great gifts because they are unique.
Shop for necklaces, pocket mirrors or magnets!!
Check the store for details, but I think you can leave a message to the seller about the design listed above that you would like as your free magnet.
You just don’t know what cool stuff you are going to find about button makers on the internet.
I enjoy finding information about designing button graphics. Here is a link to a site that really helps with the PhotoShop software. I find it kind of difficult to work with this software, but if you know what you are doing I guess any thing is possible.
Okay, I literally get tons of emails and phone calls about the Badge-a-Minit Presses and Assembly Rings.
Customers argue with me that they just don’t work. I even have irate teachers yell at me. This post has been really helpful to readers and in need of even more information. I am going to find or make a video for these assembly rings. I know some of you are stressed and completely irritated that you can’t get it to work.
I always encourage customers to look at the Button Template Layout Sheet provided on our site. These layout sheets can be used for multiple reasons.
Print out the sheets – The size of the button will just be a tad bit bigger than the dotted line on the paper. Cut out the circle and put it against your clothing to see what kind of an impact your button will make.
Use the templates to design your very own button and print them – This will not only give you the confidence that you can design a button image, but also give you an even better idea of how your message will stand out on a button.
Gives dimensions to design a template in software you already own- I have customers that use whatever software works for them. It amazes me how they get programs to work for them. Where there is a will, there is a way. You are given the diameter of the image size circle and the cut out circle size.
Shows how many buttons one can fit per page – Once you have your button image, you will have to paste it into another software that allows you to print a full page
First steps before investing in a machine – Most of you want to dive right in and buy a machine. It is exciting, but if you can’t get your designs sized correctly you may get discouraged.
If you are interested in getting 1-1/4", 2-1/4" or even a 3" machine you may want to purchase the Button Builder Pro Software. This software is installed on your computer and allows you to design your button and sizes it for you. Click here for Pros & Cons of the Button Builder Pro Software.
We are back from our Holiday Break and ready to get things going again. I know I was gone for awhile there, but it was only because I didn’t have time during the day. Things started heating up even before Thanksgiving for the Christmas rush.
I was so overwhelmed by button supplies that I couldn’t sit down at home and write about it too. I hope you can understand – I still love you all!!
Here are some of my goals for my fellow readers and avid button makers:
Complete at least 2 posts each week. One will be a description of what an item can be used for, sold to, etc. The second post will show the parts required and a video demonstration.
If the 2 posts can not be completed during a single week then there will be other posts about button making.
I will be working harder on getting more phone assistance. It seems like everyone decides to call at the same time and both of our lines are unavailable. Please be patient when someone other than Lyle or myself answers. Don’t worry, we will contact anyone that needs our attention.
Don’t forget to check out my other blogs that are geared more toward a specific button type or machine.
I was actually working on some other projects while I took a break from posting on my blogs. I can’t tell you just yet what it was because it would ruin the surprise.
I am glad to be back writing again. Thank you for visiting and I’ll see you soon.
This video shows the rotary cutter sized for the 2-1/4″ Standard cut out size so it could stand out more.
Following the rotary cutter demo, it shows how to make a 1 inch button. The rotary cutter is the cutter we suggest for cutting out fabric or paper that can not be cut into strips.
The rotary cutter has Pre-set stops for five popular button sizes: 1″, 1-1/2″, 2-1/4″, 3″, 3-1/2″
Then I was looking over on ebay for fabric buttons and saw that this person is making jewelry with 1″ fabric buttons. I was thinking maybe I was wrong, but you can check it out yourself.
If you get the 1″ Button Maker to make fabric buttons I would suggest using different types to see which works better. If one side is pulling more on one side, I would put a little adhesive (glue) on the back of the fabric so it stays in place during both stages. I have also tried putting tape on the back of the fabric so it doesn’t stretch.
OH, I almost forgot!! If you are planing on using fabric, I would also suggest cutting out the circles with
scissors or a rotary cutter. It’s really difficult to slide fabric into the graphic punch. And of course,
I have seen people place tape on the ends that helps pull the fabric through. It just seems like you can
get more out of the fabric if you can center it in the template and cut it out with the rotary cutter.
Lyle and I were at the Brickyard 400 on Sunday to watch, Indiana native, Tony Stewart win. There’s nothing like hearing those cars race around the track. Don’t worry I didn’t forget my ear plugs.
It was amazing. I will update this post with some of the cool pics we took.
Buttons are a great addition for any craft enthusiast. If you already make necklaces, purses or other handmade goodies, you might enjoy making buttons.
I have seen 1″ buttons turned into bobby pins and key chains. For many of you out there, you probably know that there aren’t any specific accessories that are sold for these items.
There are other sizes that have accessories like mirrors, keychains, magnets and even bottle openers.
The awesome thing about all of these accessories is what YOU put on them.
I received a great question today and I thought this would be a great topic to share with everyone.
The 1″ buttons are the only size that do NOT have the pin back already inserted into the back. I don’t know of any manufacturer that makes a pin back like the other sizes that are already inserted into the back.
Insert the shell, graphic and mylar (in that order) in the left die, also known as the pickup die.
Next insert the collet, sharp side facing up in the right die, also known as the crimp die.
Bring down the handle while the pickup die is under the upper die.
Rotate the die table.
Bring down the handle again.
The button is complete, now we have to insert the locking pin.
Hold your button so you can see the hollow part of the button with your left hand. (If you are left handed you might feel more comfortable holding the button with your right hand.)
With your right hand, hold the spring locking pin by the raised pin that will insert the shirt, hat, etc.
Push the locking side into the back of the button with your thumb.
Snap the opposite end in.
You should still have your thumb on the raiser pin area. So now just close your button by pushing it under the locking area.
