Steampunk Clay Button Tutorial

Okay, here goes my first tutorial...hope you enjoy!

I was making a Steampunk jacket and corset and they both needed buttons.  After searching the stores and my stash, I decided I would try making them from polymer clay.  It was scary at first and, to be honest, my first design didn't work out. After playing around for a bit, I found that less is more.  So, here is how I did it...

I started with polymer clay in brown, bronze, gold and antique gold.  I mixed them in the pasta machine until it was slightly blended...not a completely new color.

I also selected a circle cutter the size I wanted my buttons, a clay tool to make the holes in the button for the thread, a clock stamp, mica powders, and polymer glaze.

I put the clay through the machine on a 5 setting, then cut out the buttons.

I decided I wanted two-hole buttons.  So, I measured and punched.  In the end, I found eyeballing it was easier.

Next, I pushed the button onto a clock face stamp.

Little clock faces!

Now some bronze and gold mica powders.  These really do make a HUGE difference!  I baked them following manufacturer's directions.  When they were cool, I antiqued them using black acrylic paint.  I brushed it on and quickly wiped it off.  Then, I applied 3 coats of satin glaze.

Here they are on my finished garment!

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial.

*NOTE: I washed a sample button I sewed on a swatch of fabric.  It washed and dried beautifully!