Friday, October 11, 2013

Friday Favorites


Lady Washington Pearl Pendants

We so enjoy transforming these lovely but plain pearl buttons into colorful pendants! Using a heat transfer process we developed, we print them with our favorite vintage icons and illustrations, then set them into pendant findings. You can see our current assortment HERE.

Two years ago we bought the entire remaining stock of Lady Washington pearls, which were made by the American Pearl Button Company in Washington, Iowa between 1908 and 1964. During those years, vast numbers of mussel shells were dredged from the banks of the Mississippi River to make most of the pearl buttons used in America. Read more about this forgotten industry at this website: http://www.muscatinehistory.org/

Friday, September 27, 2013

Friday Favorites:  The Wallace

We're restarting our weekly Friday Favorites blog with the Wallace necklace. We love this necklace, with its mixed-metal appeal, larger-size antique button, and recast vintage finding, and also chose it for our first flash sale, which ends today. But what we really loved getting this amazing letter from customer Melissa Hickman:
Dear Kristy: 
I was planning on sending a letter to your company today regarding my order of the necklace - based on the respect y'all have for the past - and grandparents! - I thought you'd appreciate this story.
 Two nights ago, I had a dream about my greatly missed late grandfather. I was confiding in him about some woes in my life and he listened with great love. I told him of my friend Joleen (a 36-year old wife and mother of a 3-year old son) who was struggling with Stage IV colon cancer, that had metastasized into her liver, lungs, lymph nodes and brain. She has not been responding to treatment very well and her body seems to be shutting down, one organ at a time. My grandfather said, "Life and death never gets easier, it just becomes more prevalent. I can't tell you how hard it was to see so many people pass before me." He gave me a hug and kiss and said, "But you're doing all right. You're a good kid and I love you," then disappeared.
 I thought my dad would want to hear this dream, so I sat down to compose an email. Just as I started the email, my phone rang... my friend Joleen was back in ICU with pneumonia. I can't help but wonder if my grandfather's "visit" was to prepare me for what seems inevitable.
 I finished the email to my dad and hit send. Just then, your promotional email popped up. While I thought the necklace was pretty, I've been trying to get buckle down on my finances, so was about to hit "delete" - but just then I noticed the name of the necklace: Wallace.
 That was my grandfather's name. It was too big of a coincidence, so I bought it right there on the spot. I don't know why my grandpa would want me to have a necklace - maybe if nothing else than to say, "I will always be here".
 Perhaps this really is merely coincidence. Perhaps my subconscious was remembering that yesterday was the third anniversary of his death. I don't know. But I felt it couldn't be ignored.
 I look forward to receiving the necklace. And, thank you again!!
 Kindest Wishes,
Melissa Hickman
 

Grandmother's Buttons is a company that believes deeply in the richness and importance of family connections, begun as it was with a loving gift from Susan's grandmother of her many boxes of buttons. We were honored, Melissa, to hear that our necklace helped make you feel the warmth and comfort of your grandfather's spirit.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Country Living Fair Ohio: Welcome to Fall!


Let us go on record:  We LOVE the Country Living Fairs!  Last weekend we participated in our third, the original fair held each September in the historic Ohio Village in Columbus. Record breaking crowds lined up in the cool (yes, 48 degrees!!!) morning weather to shop the 300+ booths of craft and vintage wares. We loved meeting our Midwestern customers in person, shopping for our own vintage treasures, and wearing sweaters months before we'll need them in Louisiana!
The pumpkin tower was a favorite meeting and picture-taking spot.

We couldn't believe the line of customers on Saturday!

Our booth.

Another favorite photo spot.

We covet Stash Style's vintage Airstream.

We always love seeing what Cari Cooksey (of HGTV's Cash and Cari) has created with repurposed goods.





We have one more Country Living Fair this fall:  Country Living Georgia at the beautiful Stone Mountain Park just outside of Atlanta, on October 25-27.  If you're anywhere nearby, we promise it's worth a drive!