Linda Wright/My Mother’s Buttons

In the bottom of an old chest sat her mother's careworn sewing basket. Inside was a wonderful box of buttons. Each button told a tale significant of its time. Linda has such fond memories as a child of her mother teaching her to count using buttons and how they served as wonderful chocolate bits and nuts for her imaginary cookies.

When her mother's buttons were passed down to her, they were too beautiful and cherished to keep hidden in a box. Linda chose to enjoy them through jewelry, which is how "My Mothers Buttons" came to be. She now collects 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.

The following is a bit of button-lore:

In our great-great grandmother’s 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 members would present the young women with the loveliest buttons they 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 ladylove. Unfortunately, very few of these strings ever reached completion.

During the Civil War, 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 telltale 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.

Captain 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 foot pad with a blade ready to relieve his victim of any wealth.

Featured Collections:

Location: 8010 Illinois Road Fort Wayne, IN 46804 260.432.5498

Linda Wright/My Mother’s Buttons

Featured Collections:

Location:
8010 Illinois Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
260.432.5498