Inspired...

I was so inspired by reminiscing about Tami's buttons (see previous post) that I spent some time yesterday playing with my mother of pearl buttons!

The photo above shows my "unsorted" mother of pearl buttons that I grab freely from when I am creating.  They are spread out on a platter, but normally they 'live' in a glass jar in my kitchen so I may admire them, always.  The other day, I moved some of my collection into a vintage jewelry-box-like container.

These are special to me because they are carved, intriguingly shaped, paired with other materials, are interesting colors -- or are just very old.

I have so much fun sorting them!  At the top of this photo (above) are buttons that are especially bright and shiny, and none of which have any particularly special carvings -- just circles.

Some I consider special simply by virtue of the fact that someone, long ago, took the time to string them together.

The ones at the top of the above photo are special to me because they are set in metal and/or are different, dark shades of shell.

These are my most specially-embellished ones...

Did you notice the black ones on the right?  They are white pearl set in black of various materials, or vice versa.  To the left of them are pearls set in materials of other shades -- I especially like the "Rolo" sized one!

More colorful varieties

These may just be my favorite: pearls in different shapes, all carved.

Most of these buttons I picked out of the many button tins I've purchased over the years.  Some of them I bought from estate sales.  A few of them I purchased from button shows I've attended.

Do you love shell buttons as much as I do?