As I continue to explore what some might consider to be “the mundane”, I recall a time when my mother made my clothes. She worked full time and at night, whilst attempting to raise appreciative and well-behaved children, she was a seamstress. She had no shortage of clients but after she battled with her arthritis sewing a velvet cape for a particularly demanding patron, she decided that was it. I don’t recall seeing the sewing machine come out much after that.
We (she) saved everything, just as my grandparents had - because you just never know when you’ll need that one thing - be it a worn out seam ripper, fabric scraps, or buttons. So, while the machine sat unused (dutifully covered with its custom cover), all of the notions and relative sundry items were neatly tucked into her sewing cabinet, a sturdy bench from the late 1960s / early 1970s with a floral fabric upholstered top. I used to love playing with her things, pretending this or that. Most of all, it was the buttons - both hers and her mother’s, which I assume she took possession of upon her mother’s death. It’s the little things, isn’t it? Most of all I remember the (now “vintage”) black, Scotty dog buttons.
After my own mother’s passing, I ended up with her still-in-the-button-tin buttons. The tin’s metal, rusted and rough under the fingertips, kept those treasures pristine in condition and running my fingers through them brought me back to my childhood - and before I knew I needed them to, back to pleasant memories of my mother.
My Blissful Button Trees are an homage to my grandmother, my mother, and my own long-gone childhood - one full of imagination and the knowledge that I had a supply tucked away should I come to need that one thing.
I hope my Blissful Button Trees bring you as much joy in viewing (or purchasing?) as they did for me in the making. May your memories be connected to some small, incidental, yet powerful thing (like a button).
Please pardon the repetitive names of the trees, these items are synced with my Etsy shop and the names are purely a practical descriptive name.
