Your most exciting and distinctive creations begin with the world's most beautiful buttons.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I'm easy! Really!

I get emails sometimes from customers who don't want to use my shopping cart or who have trouble navigating through it.   Most people only need fill up their cart, go to checkout, then hit the big orange button that will take them directly to PayPal.  But...sometimes it just doesn't work that way.


A few people still don't feel secure shopping online.  Some don't have PayPal accounts.  A few are just convinced that a check in the mail is the only "right way" to buy something that will arrive via the post office.


Whatever.  I'm easy.


It's perfectly okay to simply log in to your PayPal account, and send me the money directly with a list of the items you want.  Or email me the list and I'll send you a PayPal invoice.  


If you really don't like online transactions, that's okay, too I can't take phone orders at this time, but I do take money orders.  If you feel more comfortable sending me a letter with details of your order and a money order, that is fine. One caveat: I can't promise the items you want will still be available by the time your letter arrives.  I might be sold completely out, and may or may not be able to order more in a reasonable time frame.


The point is, the order can be taken and processed whichever way makes you most comfortable.  The shopping cart is probably fastest and easiest for most (and it is completely secured) but if you don't like it, just send me a message and we'll work something else out.



Monday, February 27, 2012

I think I might be hungry....

And if I wasn't when I started this post, I certainly will be soon!

I just discovered edible buttons!  I was talking to my DH about making molds of various items a while back, and I mentioned that sometimes people use buttons for that purpose (always happy to bring buttons into any conversation, and DH has learned to ignore it).  He brought up "food safe molds" and the idea popped into my head -could buttons be used as molds for candy?

That led to a quick search...and look what I found: 

We have chocolate buttons!  Once upon a time, many years ago, my sister and I had a seal point siamese cat named "chocolate buttons" so one day I may just have to order a box of these. 


How about vintage buttons -made of sugar?  What a wedding favor those could be!

If you're craving something more colorful, maybe fondant buttons are more your taste? I think these might be a hit for a sewing retreat or quilting bee.

Now I just need to find the perfect blend of coffee to enjoy with them. :D




Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sometimes I spin yarns in my head about the buttons I'm working with.   

 I dearly loved Alice in Wonderland and always suspected the Queen of Hearts was so grumpy because her guests didn't bring very nice hostess gifts to her unbirthday party.  Maybe a nice set of gloves to match her outfit would've mollified her a bit. Although...when the guests are the March Hare, the Mad Hatter and a dormouse, maybe all bets are off (with their heads, of course). 



While I'm remembering old stories, how about this button to represent the Red Brick Road to Glenda the Good's home in the land of the Quadlings?  

I've always wanted a pair of ruby mary janes, and I'm certain someone in Oz could stitch up another pair, if asked very nicely (and maybe bribed a bit), and I'm sure these would be perfect for them. 

These buttons are available for purchase here and here, and in my Etsy shop. 



Friday, February 24, 2012

Sometimes, things go wrong. Very, very wrong. :(

Today, something went wrong with one of my orders. FML.

No, it's true.  Someone had me special order some buttons I had discontinued, so I did...and when they arrived, I took them from the shipper, transferred them to a mailer for her, and enthusiastically let her know they were here and ready to go home.

Fast forward to this afternoon, when I received an email from her saying the buttons were only 1/2 the size they were supposed to be!  Wow!  I had not even noticed they were not the same...ouch.

I want my customers to rip open their packages and feel immensely satisfied and happy with their purchases, not disappointed and irate because all is not as it should be or as they had hoped. 

Bottom line is: sometimes things go wrong.  If you order from me, and something goes wrong, please don't hesitate to let me know right away. I promise I will do everything I can to make it right.  

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Brand new buttons have arrived!



I just received a whole box of new glass buttons from the Czech Republic.  Over the next few days I'll be photographing them and making them available on both shopping sites.  I can already say they are lovely!

In the meantime, I'd like to share a couple of my favorite items that my customers have made with the buttons they purchased.  

Timberstone Turnings always does fantastic work, IMO, but I'm partial to the ones that use my buttons. ;)  This particular beauty is reserved for someone, but I'm sure they would be happy to make another. 


Quite a few of her creations are made with buttons, or by using buttons as molds to model clay into small cabochons for her jewelry. 

I could go on and on, as I dearly love seeing the items my customers make, but...the new buttons and my camera are waiting, so I'd better go. 


Saturday, February 18, 2012

Life is short: Buy the Buttons!

I'm continually getting emails that say something like: "DL...last (week, month, year) you had some buttons in your shop.  They were (round, square, purple, orange) and I loved them.  But now I can't find them.  Do you have any more?"

Sadly, many of the buttons I carry are not available in large quantities, and are not around for long.  A simple fact of retail is that slower-moving items stop being offered.  Other times the resources (like 14k gold or sterling silver) used to make a particular button drive the prices up too high to be readily affordable, or the artisan simply moves on and decides to focus on a new direction.  Either way, the quantities are limited, and once they're gone, they're gone.

I see having a button stash much the same way as having a fabric stash or a collection of art supplies on hand.  You may not have a particular use for them when you see them, but if you like them, buy them up -you never know when inspiration will strike, when a particular project will just cry for an item seen somewhere last month or when you'll simply decide the time is right to use them up.  And if you are working on a project that calls for three or four, buy an extra, because you may never be able to find another that is a perfect match later.

OTOH, when replacing the buttons on a garment, if the old ones are unique or handmade, keep them!  You just may decide you need them later for another garment or they may prove the perfect finishing touch for a scrapbook page, handbag, or custom jewelry item.... Buttons have so many uses and purposes that I firmly believe you -or a friend -  will most likely find something, somewhere they will be perfect for. 

Life is short...buy the buttons, the incredible fabric, the art supplies, the shoes or other items you love.  You may not have another chance, and even if you can't picture a project or use right away, you'll know that when the right idea hatches, you'll have the most beautiful supplies to make it with right at hand.