The Loss of my Vintage Buttons

Hi :) I'm a new Button Floozie, and happy to be among other floozies! I do have quite the button collection, and HAD a super (and I mean SUPER) find on some vintage buttons a few years ago. I answered a Free Cycle ad for sewing patterns, fabrics and notions. Turns out we had to drive quite a ways to get there (even had to stop and get gas!) but it was totally worth it.

As soon as we picked up the boxes and pulled out of the driveway, I twisted myself around in odd places to go through those boxes, way before we got home! I felt like a pretzel but the curiosity was killing me!

Loved everything I found, and then I found a metal box with a lift off lid, the box itself was old, kind of rusty, but I could see a flower on top of the box. Dying to know what was inside, I pulled off the lid and gasped!!! Completely full to overflowing were vintage buttons. Many pearl buttons, many on cards that said 'Made in Occupied Japan'! Very pretty cards with no buttons on them, but I love the cards as well!


Well, I treasured those buttons. But we went through a time when my husband was unemployed and I starting selling some of my stash of fabric, patterns and things I 'could' live without. I finally came to these buttons and yes, I sold them. It broke my heart and to this day I regret doing it. But this story does have a happy ending!

I won a button auction on Listia for some mother of pearl buttons, many of them dyed the most gorgeous green and some yellow ones. Lots of natural ones -

And while it's not quite the same as my first find, I'm absolutely thrilled with these buttons. I had to lay them all out so I could pet them and just gaze fondly at them :) Then I strung them onto a piece of crochet thread, all the similar ones together. I'm not quite ready to use them them, the honeymoon period isn't over yet :)

Karen

Comments

l.wilks11 said…
What a lovely story. I know how you feel when you find THAT SOMETHING that makes your heart pound with excitment. I am always on the look out for all sewing things, but never seem to find such beautiful buttons as you do............xx
autena said…
Such an engaging tale. Those dyed buttons are really fun!
Glorious find!!!! Thanks for sharing. Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
Oh thank you for your button story. I love antique buttons and know that thrill...and know the sadness that comes with letting them go when times are tough. The good news is...The world is so full of buttons (we would all be naked without them) What a glorious thing to have won such a new old stash. Beautiful!!! And thank you so much for sharing.
I want some new old buttons LOL

love the story
Margaret said…
Since finding this blog last year and Jimmy Buttons I now look at buttons more closely. By the way lovely story.
Tania said…
Hi!
You don't have to worry about Dina.. There is something wrong with blogger or Google and she will be back:-)
Regards from Tania in Norway
Oh my, I just love findings treasures like that! I would love to have gotten those buttons too!
Laurie said…
I'm sorry you had to part with your beautiful vintage buttons, but there are lots more hiding away to be discovered, as you have learned!
Unknown said…
Thank you so much for loving my story and understanding it! Lots of people (non button people) wouldn't understand at all! :) I feel very at home here, and can't wait to read your stories :) Karen
What heavenly day...and what a delicious find...looks like a button feast of the best kind.

I have a couple of tins of buttons and a few jars. I like using them in projects. However, I have quite a few buttons that I think I keep this for something really special, alwasy waiting for that some "really special" to come along. Not sure how special it has to be? :) I think I just use this as an excuse to hang on to them. ;)

You certainly have a good reason to be excited, they are beautiful!

Thanks for stopping by my blog, it was a joy to see you had visited.

xOx
OMG, I bet your heart skipped a beat when you opened the rusty old button box. I found a sewing box at a church sale for a $1.00 including contents and it was loaded with vintage rhinestone buttons....OH my, your new win is breath taking

Carol
Ava said…
What lovely buttons you won :) If life is fair you will come across your old buttons one day at a garage sale xx
Lana said…
My heart aches for you, as I have had to do the exact same thing. I find myself forever searching for the things that I have had to sell. I am hoping that you and I never have to sell another button.
xoxo,
Lana
Anonymous said…
Like Dr. Seuss said, "Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened". Getting a Free Cycle gift like that is a wonderous thing, and you used the money when you needed it. There is nothing to regret. Maybe you'll find the perfect buttons once again some day. NEVER stop hoping! Great story.