more buttons

had a lovely visit to the Manchester Antique Textile Fair on Sunday, can hardly wait for next years!
One of my favourite stalls there is the Button Society's stand, this year as well as joining the Society I made a few more purchases for my collection... I know I have so much to learn about the different manufacturing process, materials etc so if anyone can further advise me please do!

glass beads trimmed in gilt, showing the back of one

I thought this bug was sat on a maple leaf but now I realise it is a vine leaf. It seems to be painted glass set in an enamel back with a brass loop for sewing on

glass shells

this is amazing, I was advised that this is made from rennet mixed with milk solids

another glass button, hand painted

a metal cast victorian button

I thought I would add the five pence to show the scale of them all

the Victorian Arts & Crafts Shop in Poulton-le-Fylde

We shopped in Poulton-le-Fylde this week and as I needed some bits & pieces popped into this great little shop in the Market Hall.  I'm always mesmerised by controlled chaos and couldn't resist embarassing myself by asking to photograph the button & thread displays. The staff were very kind, probably feeling sorry for 'the Everpresent' who was patiently smiling, watching my antics. I also noticed how busy the shop was and of how friendly the interactions between staff and customers were. I'm old enough to remember when this was how most shops were, of how at home you were made to feel and of how great the service and advice was.  Of course I also have my favourite internet shops for supplies and goods but oh it was nice to touch things and look through all the stock. The variety of wool was staggering. So thank you Victorian Arts and Crafts, we really could do with more like you.

ooooohhh, shiny.......

Bought these beautiful Victorian buttons from, wait for it, The Button Society.

They are so lovely I will have to think
twice about where and what I use them for.

The smallest round one is about the size of a 10p