VISIONS OF BUTTONS DANCED IN MY HEAD

We've all heard stories about artists who create at their whim, go out for a stroll because it's sunny and take naps in the middle of the day.  Our opinion of them is usually "That lazy @#%$! Get a real job!" 

Using myself as an example, let me explain (or defend) the creative mind to you.  When I was a caterer, I use to plan parties and cook all day.  At night, I would come up with new recipes in my sleep.  I would actually dream of cooking!  Sometimes the dreams were so vivid, I would wake up and actually smell what I just cooked.  Without ever leaving my bed! 

Now that I'm a quilt artist, I come up with new designs while I sleep. Sometimes, a vision will appear so clearly that I have to get up in the middle of the night to work on it while still in the flow of inspiration. One night before Christmas, I sewed a table runner start to finish before 3 am - once again- without ever leaving my bed! 

A creative mind is exhausting- we need those naps!  If you don't believe me, try sleeping in my head for a night. 

A couple of months ago, I was dreaming about buttons.  The information I was getting was so strong that I sat upright in bed at 2am and realized that I needed buttons more than air. It doesn't matter why, it only matters now.  I tossed and turned the rest of the night - wondering where I could find all these buttons!  I remembered a button case tucked away in the storage room of the quilt shop I used to work at.  First thing the next morning, I went into that shop and bought them from the owner.  Thousands of buttons.  I spent days organizing the drawers of that chest, once used in a tailoring shop. 

Then I remembered a garage sale that I went to several years back.  I bought a 5 pound bag of buttons and put them.... somewhere?  I tore the house apart and found them in the back of a cluttered closet. 

A woman wandered into my studio one day and revealed to me that she makes ceramic buttons.  Now I sell her beautiful creations in my studio.

I went to the Sewing Expo and happened across a button dealer.  I bought buttons from all over the world.  Carved wood buttons from Africa, pressed glass buttons from Czechoslovakia, bone or antler buttons from somewhere in Asia. 

The more buttons I acquired the more I realized that buttons are an art form unto themselves.  I called the wonderful and ever so helpful people at  the Chanhassen branch of the  Carver County library.  "Do you have any information on the history of buttons?"  I asked.  "Yes" they said.  "There are books and articles and web sites on not only the history of buttons but collector clubs as well." I had no idea.  Something we take for granted every day when we dress.  This silent piece of utilitarian art had been waiting for me to discover it. 

Now I want to make buttons.  Art buttons - painted, carved, formed, crocheted, covered, quilted, fired, decoupaged or tooled.  I want to create art quilts using buttons as the primary design element. Instead of using regular thread to secure the buttons, I want to experiment with decorative threads and possibly beading the tails. 

I will no longer sell a blouse in a garage sale for 25 cents when I know there are five dollars worth of buttons on it.  I will buy clothes at garage sales just for the buttons. When I look at your blouse, coat or jacket, I will notice the buttons.

I will continue to build my button stash and study  the artistry and history of button making.  I encourage you to do the same.  If you can't bring yourself to appreciate this silent art form, unload your cast off buttons on me. 

Button up -
Linda Schutz