On a recent trip to Lakewood 400 Antique Market, I met Kristine. Kristine has buttons. She collects buttons, she plays with buttons, she sells buttons.
Kristine knows buttons. I spent $24 at her booth, but the knowledge I gained is worth much more than that.
I’ve seen collections of buttons before, but Kristine ‘s display tops the list.
Kristine had bone buttons, china buttons, wooden buttons, bakelite buttons, glass buttons, beaded buttons. There were buttons on cards, buttons in jars, even buttons made into decorative floral arrangements.
In the past, Kristine sold at the Brimfield market. When other dealers found out that she loved and sold buttons, they would sell her their button finds. The years have grown her collection, and her knowledge base. Kristine encouraged my questions. When I asked about horn buttons, she showed me what to look for, talked about romper buttons and the use of those buttons by Civil War re-enactors.
There were other sewing accoutrements, too. Belt buckles, rickrack, snaps and hooks and eyes. Fascinating, intriguing, mind-boggling; all words that fall short of describing the sense of enchantment with such a simple notion as a button.
I frequently include buttons in my quilts, so I must regularly add to my collection. What a pleasure to do this with Kristine’s treasures.
Kristine was one of several women whose wares and stories intrigued me on this Lakewood trip. You don’t want to read it all now…more posts will follow. Suffice it to say that two hours at Lakewood inspired many days of creating. The colors, the textiles, the combinations, and the people, all inform my sense of appreciation of the world. What fun!
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