Collecting Buttons Family Fun and Decorating Activities

While I am enjoying the snow this winter, mainly because I can conduct most of my business over the Internet, I have started to think Spring.  That includes thinking about gardening,decorating inside and outside the shop, and what types of new craft items I might want to add to the shop for those who like new items crafted from antiques.

My first stop was my sewing area, where I quickly became engaged in browsing through the many buttons gathered over the years.  Some gained by design for a specific project, others purchased due to the sheer beauty of them, others taken from clothes that are no longer fit for the public eye but with buttons that speak something special to you.

Buttons are mentioned in writings from the 17th Century and there is a record of John Eliot from England ordering three gross of pewter buttons for trading in the New World.

Philadelphia buttons were crafted from brass and became extremely popular in the early 1700s. Buttons at this time were also produced in crystal, glass, horn, beads, and tapestry.  Some finer buttons were trimmed with silver.

Wooden buttons gained in popularity in the 1800s.

In 1851 Nelson Goodyear patented a button crafted of rubber that was rigid enough to make a button.

Buttons of the 20th Century were largely plain with little or no decoration. Darker buttons were more desirable than light colored buttons.  Buttons made before 1920 are generally more collectible than those made after this date.  Exceptions include Bakelite buttons of the 1940s and Lucite buttons of the 1959s.

Buttons continue to be made out of various materials with great variety of decoration and styles.  Buttons can be round, triangular, square, or made to look like a flower bud.  Buttons made for children's clothing offers a fun collecting activity.

Buttons as a collection can be displayed in a variety of ways.  I have some displayed in small glass display case, others are placed in jars trimmed with vintage ribbon and line the shelf in a guest room. I think learning math is more fun when counting bunnies on colorful red buttons!

Button offer a wide variety of collecting choices and endless ways in which to display and gain enjoyment from your collection


 Button collecting can really be a family activity that is fun and requires no special knowledge or    equipment.   

Till next time, stay well, stay happy

auctionmom80@gmail.com
www.antiquesattheirongte.com

 
 
   

Spring Plannning

Thoughts of spring are beginning to fill my head.  I enjoy all the seasons even the one that brings travel to a halt and winds that blast snow against your face.  But winter is also the season for snowmen, ice sculpture, quiet evenings by the fire, and brisk walks during the day.

With spring comes renewal.  I enjoy watching the gardens come to life and while I adore tulips and crocus, I cannot compete with the wildlife that adore the flowers more than I do.  I am more than happy to plant my daffodils and watch as they multiply each year.

And another of my favorite flowers, the smiling cool weather pansy.  If planted just so, in some shade, will continue to smile throughout most of the summer.

Spring is a time for renewing the many furniture finds you purchased throughout the winter.  It is a time for recycling old pots, colanders, purses, and whatever you saved for something but were not sure of at the time, to turn them into planters and unique structures for the garden.  

Just as certain houses demand certain types of furnishings, so do houses demand certain types of gardens.  A cottage garden will look unkempt if paired with a modern style house.  The formal English garden will look harsh inhabiting the same lot as a country farmhouse.  Herb gardens are at home near colonial  kitchens and bird baths crafted of decorative concrete are a welcome addition to any garden.  

So enjoy planning and dreaming for the days are lengthening and it will soon be time to trade our woolen mittens for gardening gloves, and our snow shovels for garden trowels.

 Country Garden

 

             Formal English Garden

   

   Cottage   Garden 

 

Till next time, stay well, stay happy

auctionmom80@gmail.com

www.antiquesattheirongate.com

Victorian Traditions for Valentine's Day

The Legend of Rose Colors

Valentine's Day is soon upon us.  And who cannot love Valentine's Day.  There is something for everyone!

For those with a sweet tooth there are candies galore. White,
pink and milk and dark chocolate compete to be made into beautiful and delicious treats.

Heart-shaped Pink lollipops, raspberry filled French Truffles topped with a white chocolate heart, miniature to large boxes decorated with red satin ribbons, pink and white roses filled with candy delights!

For the romantic there are bouquets of flowers from which to choose.  In Victorian Days flowers were used to express emotions that could not be expressed openly in public.

 Flowers continue to symbolize emotions.
   

  The Rose is the ultimate expression of love.

Red Roses are associated with love and romance

Yellow Roses signify friendship, platonic love, feelings of delight and good wishes

Pink Roses signify gratitude and appreciation, light pink roses are associated with admiration and gentleness

White Roses are the traditional wedding flower signifying innocence, purity, and spirituality

Orange Roses send the message to the receiver that the sender is proud of them

Lavender Roses being in the purple family are associated with elegance


As you select your Valentine flowers beware the secret message in the color!

Till next time, stay well, stay happy

auctionmom80@gmail.com

www.antiquesattheirongate.com

http://www.threadflip.com/Threads

 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AntiqueLuvs