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 The following is a bit of button-lore. In my Great-Great Grandmothers day young ladies would pass the time creating a string of buttons called a "charm" string. It would begin with one large button called a "touch" button at the start of a long string. Friends and family memberswould present the young women the lovliest buttonsthey could find to be added to the charm string. After the one thousandth button was added, it is said Prince Charming would then come to claim his lady love. Unfortunately, very few of these strings ever reached completion. During the Civil War, we are told, soldiers stocked gold pieces inside their uniform buttons to submit as ransom if ever they were captured. In World War II the uniform button took a sentimental twist. As long as it met army regulations in appearance it could be fitted with two pictures and used as a locket. World War II brought the complex mechanics of the camouflaged compass button. In appearance, there was no tell tale evidence of its purpose. These special buttons were issued sparingly to American fliers behind enemy lines. Stories and records tell us that two-thirds of the buttons made before 1820 were made expressly for men. At this time men wore large handsome steel cut buttons. These buttons reflected the sun so brilliantly, many women perceived these men as dazzling. Kidd, the pirate, wore buttons of silver and gold as did many pirates. This was a way of combining function and treasure on ones own person. A man wearing a suit embellished with twenty gold and sixty silver buttons was never broke. This is, unless he was overcome by a footpad with a blade ready to relieve his victim of any wealth. |
 In the bottom of an old chest sat my Mother's careworn sewing basket. Inside was a wonderful box of buttons. Each button told a tale significant of its time. I have such fond memories as a child of my Mother teaching me to count using buttons and how they served as wonderful chocolate bits and nuts for my imaginary cookies.When my Mother's buttons were passed down to me, they were too beautiful and cherished to keep hidden in a box. I chose to enjoy them through jewelry which is how "My Mothers Buttons" came to be. I now collect antique and vintage buttons from around the world, which date back as far as the early 1800's, to create one of a kind jewelry and accessories. |
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