Here in the Northeast we’ve been ‘buttoned up’ all winter long! There are still snow mounds scattered about but luckily, signs of spring are here too. Green grass is peeking out from under the snow, and I saw a robin in my yard yesterday! Although it has been a tough winter with these record low temperatures, it has given me more time to spend with my family relaxing indoors, watching the snowfall. It has also given me the time to create some new designs! 

 Button Design Company has a new line called “A Night at the Opera.” These one-of-a-kind-pieces are made of black glass beads, Swarovski pearls and crystals, and touches of  garnet, and of course buttons! Both beautiful antique buttons, and sparkling rhinestone vintage buttons. Take a look and let us know what you think.

 The feedback on my designs received so far has been: “How do you come up with your ideas?” and “Have you always been a designer, or worked in the ‘arts’ field?”

 As a child,  I spent almost every weekend going to craft shows, antique auctions, and book stores with my Mom and Dad. Anytime someone visited from out of town, we had to take them to Historic Sleepy Hollow, and to nearby Philipsburg Manor. We did the tours, walked the grounds, and viewed the presentations of how things were done in the past. On some occasions we got to buy something at the gift shop, which was my favorite part.  By the time I was 10, I probably could have been a tour guide at either place. During our weekend outings, my sisters and I would do anything we could think of to get out of going. Usually, to no avail. Sometimes we would even try to distract my parents from noticing yet another bookstore, by pointing out something across the street. Still, to no avail.

These trips and days spent with them are now my fondest memories. This is how I developed my love for antiques and items from times long forgotten. 

 My childhood home was an 1800’s farm house, filled with antique furniture, not the modern “cool” furniture that my friends’ houses had. Having seven siblings and a million pets, made things even more interesting. Fortunately, my mother had the insight to tuck away little surprises. She saved them for rainy days, snow days, or just any day that we were bored, or didn’t know what to do with ourselves. As a result of this, we spent all of our ‘down time’ creating. We made necklaces, pot holders, sculpted things out of clay, painted, colored...   

Encouraging me to spend my idle time creating was the best gift my mom could have ever given me. This helped me develop a gift for decorating and designing which has endured.

 Some 20 years ago, I received a small box of my Grandma’s antique buttons and marveled at the myriad ways such a simple clothing closure had been designed and decorated. I have been collecting them ever since, hoping some day to have the time to turn them into jewelry. I imagine where each of these buttons has been, and how they have survived 100 years later! Each is unique and beautiful in its own right and it’s difficult for me to let go of most of these little gems. However, as I pick them out of the ball jars on my work table in my studio, I can visualize them in different settings. Finding crystals, pearls, and other beads, and mounting them in the perfect setting to enhance their beauty lights the creative fire inside of me. I take great pride in creating these one-of-a-kind pieces, knowing that they will increase in value with age, and can be passed down for generations to come. I consider it the same as preserving an heirloom, and a little piece of our past. I love sharing the stories and history of them too. 

 I hope you enjoy visiting my web site, and seeing my designs as much as I enjoy creating them. Thanks to all of you for sharing my vision, and your continued support and encouragement. 

I truly appreciate it.