Friday, August 29, 2008

WHY DO WE LOVE BUTTONS?

I did not grow up with a grandma, mom or aunt that would sew. I don't know how to sew either. So I don't know why I have this love of buttons.

What is it that makes us collect and display buttons?

Is it all the different shapes and designs?


Some buttons have two holes.


Some have four holes.


Some you can't even see the hole as they are attached from under the button.


Do we love them because they come in all different sizes?


Some of them even have the old thread still in them.


Or do we like the way they looked when they are in different containers. Like this pretty jar.


I like them even in simple jars like this one.


Look how fun they look in a jar that was meant for candy.


Even in this little cherub pot they look good.



I don't know what it is about buttons but I love them. I love to look at them. I love to play with them. I love to hold them or just run my fingers through them.

I don't have them because they are worth anything. I know some buttons are but I wouldn't know a good one from a bad one. They are all just buttons to me.

How about you? Do you love buttons? If so, why. What do you do with the buttons you have? Where do you display them? Where did you get them?

Do you have a favorite type or color of button you collect? I only have white ones, blue ones and a few with rhinestones. I would love to start a collection of pink buttons.


Hugs,


Joanne

18 comments:

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I collect buttons too Joanne, and I don't sew either. I loved to play with my Mom's button tin when I was a little girl. I collect all colors -- they are like M&M's candies :-)
Have a wonderful labor Day weekend!

Hugs, Pat

PS Cori said she could take us around San Diego since she lived there once --she wants to know what time should we meet at my hotel?

Glenda said...

Joanne,

Their old and there is a story to them all. It's what use to be and won't be again.

Their lovely to look at. The white, off white, beige etc.... there the ones we collect. I don't see a lot of collections of colored ones, they seem to be less appealing to the eye.

Your just a button lovin fool.

Ciao bella

Kim's Treasures said...

I love buttons too! I use them to decorate things, on my yo-yo's and I keep them just to look at too. I have always loved buttons and I too grew up with no one who sewed and I do not sew (unless you count the yo-yo's). Love your button photos!

Have a wonderful day!
Kim

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi Joanne,
So you want to start collecting pink buttons :)
I have a couple old jars with buttons in them. Sometimes I use them on craft projects and like you I just like them.
Oh. you are having a garage sale..darn I can't make it...this time :)
Hugs Deb :)

Flower said...

Buttons keep us together..in one way or another!! They evoke memories, they are pretty, they are cute..they inspire and direct us to choose something to put them on....they are artful and just plain useful! You do have a lot of them...how about a sewing class? Button holes are not easy for me to make
...I find someone else to make them! :))

Anne Fannie said...

Hello Joanne, I love buttons too. I have so many jars full of them. I like to use them in my crafts. My Mom gave me her button jar full of buttons from my Dad, her, me and my brother and sister. I wanted to do something special with them so I glued them on a picture frame and have my family's picture in it, it looks so cute and makes a great little button display too. I always find jars for sale at garage sales!
Love, Ann

Jan~Feather Your Nest Antiques said...

I'm not a button lover in general, but there is something about white buttons, all grouped together with their different shades, shapes, and sizes that just, well, sends me over the edge. I love them in jars or tea cups or just placed around a piece of china. Some are pearl, some are irredescent, some are just solid white. I don't know, they just appeal to me so much! Can't have too many...

emily said...

I have been collecting buttons for awhile, I just bought 2 full canning jars with white ones! Just love them. I try to use them in the things I create. They are so fun and happy :)

emily

Judy said...

I love buttons and keep them in jars of all shapes and sizes. I have no idea why I like them, I just do. I can't seem to get enough and whenever I see some at flea markets or someplace I usually buy them. I've got all colors and shapes and they are all beautiful. When you posted about the dolls I was trying to remember a blog you might enjoy and couldn't. I finally found it, it is tonidolls.blogspot.com She has the most beautiful Christmas dolls I thought you might enjoy seeing. Let me know if this isn't the right address and I'll check it. Have a wonderful weekend.

Cottagecheap said...

I missed the 'button' gene...i only like the way the FEEL in your hands. Like freshly shelled peas or anything else...they just feel so nice.

Check out my blog today...I was thinking of you as I finished my latest project...hint pink roses!

Darlene said...

I don't collect buttons right now but you know that is subject to change at any moment....lol

I do remember my great-grandmother had a large box of buttons and I played with those buttons any time I was over there....I had not thought of that in a long time. I think my mom may now have that box...I wonder if all of those buttons are still in it? Might have to find out cause I would love to put them in some apothocary jars.

Yours are beautiful!!

Victoria Lynn said...

Joanne,
I must admit-I LOVE BUTTONS too! I have them in several jars in my craft room. I love to run my fingers through the jar and see what I come up with! I must admit I have "button envy" of anyone with a collection of rhinestone buttons!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings, Victoria Lynn

Rue said...

Hi Joanne :)

I love buttons too, but I only have a tiny jar of white ones. You did a beautiful job diplaying them :)

hugs,
rue

Anonymous said...

Your buttons are beautiful! I have buttons of all colors and they are in glass containers of various sizes. My whites are in the biggest glass container and I have some aqua ones in a small glass jar. I love my aqua and pink ones the most probably because I have the least of those. I love dumping them out and looking at them and running my fingers through them. They just feel nice!! Thanks for sharing yours!

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

I love buttons. I get them out and sort them. One day, I sort them as to size. The next time, I sort them according to color. Sometimes I sort by 2 or 4 holes. All the shank buttons have their own containers. The metal buttons have their special place. I love the blue buttons you sent me. Thank you so much. I use buttons in crafting and scrapbooking and sewing. But mostly, I collect them....

Unknown said...

The loop on the back to attach them is called a shank.
I have an enormous, unsorted button collection. I used to work in a dress shop and when clothes came in w/ the extra buttons we had to cut them off. When we got a new manager, she didn't want to deal with the boxes of buttons behind the counter, so she was going to toss them and I asked if I could have them for crafting. I also have all of my mom's buttons from her sewing days. I've used them for different crafts, as well as markers for playing bingo in my classroom!
I think we love buttons because they are a simple item that everyone understands, yet when they are grouped the textures and colors make an amazing display.

Donna Lynn said...

Hi sweet Joanne,
I have missed so many of your posts, but you are a prolific poster sister dear!!!

We have been so busy getting ready for the wedding, it is only a week away as of today, YIKES!!! I still have to get one more bouquet done, as Hannah has added another brides maid. We got the wedding arbor all painted yesterday, I will email you a picture tonight. I plan on doing a post on it after the wedding, I want to have pictures of it in place at Hannah's parents house with the florals I'm doing on it too.

Try and call me on Wed. I don't think I have anything big going on other then making lasgana for 25 people!!! HA!

XO,
Donna Lynn

Anonymous said...

My husband's grandmother left many treasures ... and many were left to nieces and nephews, in writing, chosen before she died. I'm an in-law, or really an "out-law" and didn't get anything which is ok. But I do know that there is a wonderful jar full of antique buttons left in my MIL's garage that I just lust after. Since I am the only one who sews, you would think that someone would have thought of me.... but NOOOO, no matter how much I hint, I am still an "outlaw". Don't they realize that I would cherish that jar of buttons!?!