And The Winner Is...

I am excited to have new friends and readers of my blog and this giveaway has been fun!  Karen Mertens and I have so many similar interests and one of them is collecting buttons.  When I drew her name this morning, it didn't take long to pick out a selection of old and new buttons for her from my collection.  Notice the button card on the top.  It sold for 10 cents!  In addition to the buttons, I'm sending her a vintage handkerchief and a wire bird's nest pendant that I made.  Karen, please send me your mailing address by email.

Buttons!

Last weekend I met an elderly gentleman at the flea market who has been collecting buttons for many years.  I fell in love with a tray of rhinestone buttons and was able  to negotiate a price that I felt was reasonable for both of us. 

If any one has suggestions for a good resource to learn more about my new collection or a way to display them, please comment.

A "Lucky Day" for Finding Buttons



About a week ago, I was in a thrift shop that opened in my area.  I caught a glimpse of a worn plastic bag filled with buttons at the back of a shelf. I tried to ignore it since my button collecting has gotten out of hand.  Needless to say, it didn't work.  I picked up the bag and it was only $2.50.  I could see that most of the buttons were still on the cards but couldn't tell much about them because it was tightly taped shut.  I made my purchase and when I opened the bag, I was  surprised!  Here are some of my finds:

It's been a long time since I've seen Roebuck and Co. attached to the Sears name.

These are my favorite!  They were made in Western Germany and cost 25 cents.  The color is watermelon pink with a tiny bit of gold trim.



Mother of Pearl buttons



There was several loose Mother of Pearl buttons.  I wanted you to see the backs of them as well as the front.  Each back is a different color since they are made from shells.

It goes without saying that  I'm happy that I invested $2.50 for these beautiful vintage buttons. 

"Fall in Love With Buttons" Swap

I recently participated in a button swap sponsored by the Button Floozies blog.  We each had to cover an Altoid mints tin and fill it with at least 40 buttons.  I received my box last week and want to share pictures with you.  My partner, Lynette, lives in Texas and is a retired elementary school art teacher.  When I opened my package I could see her artistic talent!

 





Lynette gave me some ideas on how I could improve my box the next time I participate.  Using buttons as little feet is such a great idea.

 

I placed my box on my desk next to my bed and look at it often.  Thanks, Lynette!

 

The History of Mother of Pearl Buttons

My friend, Kathleen, from Yesteryear Embroideries posted this information recently about mother of pearl buttons.  With her permission, of course, I am sharing some of her photos.

Mr. Beopple cutting buttons.

John Fredrick Beopple, an immigrant from Otlensen, Germany and farm laborer in Columbus Junction in the late 19th century is credited with beginning the pearl button industry in Muscatine, Iowa.

While in Germany, Beopple made buttons from animal horns, but also experimented using fresh-water mussel shells. William Molis, superintendent of the water works, loaned Beopple $15 to move his hand made button cutting machine to Muscatine. Muscatine is located at a bend in the Mississippi River where great amounts of clams grew.

Advertising piece for Beopple's Buttons

On January 26, 1891, Beopple partnered with Molis and formed Beopple Pearl Button Company.  In 1898 Nicholas, Patrick and Thomas Barry boosted the industry into a modern commercial enterprise by developing automatic saws and drills. Barry automation caused the pearl button industry in Muscatine to increase so at its peak from 1913-1919 one third of the entire population of Muscatine was employed in some aspect of making pearl buttons. Beopple later served as a shell expert at the Biological Station at Fairport, Iowa, a few miles from Muscatine, in studying mussel shells of the Mississippi River. During the preparation of the Dingley Tariff Bill, Beopple was called as a pearl button authority to Washington DC.  Beopple died January 30, 1972

 

My Trip to the Outer Banks

 I love the sight and sound of the ocean!

I just got back from spending four glorious days in Nags Head, NC, with great friends.  My trip could not have been more perfect!  The temperature was in the 70's most of the time, we ate at great seafood restaurants and I had a successful day of selling at the market on Saturday.

The market was outside in a beautiful waterfront park  in the charming little town of  Manteo.  Manteo has  great shops, old southern homes and very friendly residents.  It is about 15 minutes from  Nags Head and the ocean.

It seemed like everyone who came to the market brought their dog.  The SPCA was sponsoring a "Dog Wash" and it was hilarious to watch all the different breeds  being bathed.

I had breakfast this morning at Mel's Diner in Grandy, NC.  I couldn't resist taking picture of this antique Ford parked in front of it.  It sure seems strange to refer to a car that was popular during my early years as antique.  So, what does that make me?

I'm excited about having dinner tonight with my daughters for Mother's Day.  I hope all of you are having a great day!

Arabelle's Day at the Bay

Arabelle

My mom and I left yesterday to visit relatives who live on the Cheasapeake Bay.  Mom says the trip was mostly about me so I could tell you about it today.

On the way to the beach, I got to eat lunch at McDonald's and share my mom's McNuggets.  I only get "people food" on special occasions. 

 

My cousin has a new kitten and what a terror he is!  He's tiny (about 10 weeks) but I was so intimidated by him.  He tried to smack my nose with his sharp claws.  I yelped and hid behind my cousin.  It was so embarrassing!  He doesn't have a name yet but I have a few suggestions...

The beach was beautiful this morning. I ran laps, played in the water and rolled on dead bugs.  Mom says she's still picking little seashells out of my fur.

 

I had a wonderful nap on the way home, except for a few nightmares dreams about that evil kitten.