Button Addict Confession Session

Under the title role of "artist" I collect buttons. From everywhere. Some people bend over to pick up a penny...I confess to do the same for a button. I thrift buttons from worn out clothes. I have been the recipient of generations of buttons from my deceased family members. They passed on knowing there would be someone in the family that cherished the "habit" as much as they did.

Are you with me? What is your story of buttons? Is it hard to part with your favorite ones? Do they hold special memories?

I recall sorting my mothers buttons when she was in her sewing room. I especially liked the brightly colored buttons in the shape of woodland animals. They were uncomfortable to use as a garment closure, however. I still have them although they are now faded. Their shape is still alluring to a little one. Recently I have organized (sorted) my buttons for the last time. They are separated into colors of the rainbow and housed in clear glass jars with lids. The buttons and jars are the star of a recently created stop-motion video (below). When creating the video, it became clear that purple is in short supply in my collection. White is in abundance.

Buttons date back 5000 years. It wasn't until the 1300's that they were used for garment closure with a buttonhole. Prior to that, they were used as decoration. During the world wars, the US and British soldiers had buttons that doubled as a locket. The locket buttons held a compass. Buttons come in all shapes and sizes. They are round, shaped like a woodland animal, square, flat, shanked, riveted, frogs (fiber knots), covered in cloth, made from shell, nuts, ceramic, plastic, bone, metal and the list continues. What did I miss?

Below are a few of the pieces that include some of my buttons. And as always, please feel free to comment and share your story.