Love, Love, Love: Vintage Tin Pinback and Tab Buttons

Poke around your jewelry box. Dig through your junk drawer. Look on your old favorite jean jacket or bag. I guarantee you have at least one in your home. Pinback buttons have been around since the late 1700's and continue to be a staple for political campaigns, bands, souvenir shops, and all sorts of advertising. For me, they are a new object of obsession and source of inspiration.

pinback buttons

1940's novelty pins

I came across an adorable lot of novelty pinback buttons last year and used them atop old garden faucet handles to make these upcycled necklaces. Their bright lithograph colors and kitschy imagery instantly drew me in and I have been on the lookout for them ever since. 

faucet handle and pinback button necklaces

See You Later Alligator

I also like to scout for tin buttons with fold over tabs (the kind you don at museums). Recently, I found these Sealtest Big Top TV Circus collection and am itching to make them into whimsical pieces soon. 

How could you NOT be inspired by these?

When paired up with plastic buckles, rhinestones, and brass stampings, these pins turn into tiny pieces of art. Keep a lookout in my Etsy shop, at shows, and soon at Vudu Micia Vintage and Handmade in New Milford for many new pieces that incorporate pinback and tab buttons. 

Mister Softee

Let's be Friends

Candy Colored Clown

Pretty Kitty Kelly

a work in progress

You have three more chances to catch me this summer (more dates coming in the fall/winter).

July 7th - The Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA

August 2 - Dogwatch Artisan Market - Fairhaven, MA

August 4 - The Greenway Open Market - Boston,MA

Like Twitch and Whiskers on Facebook for updates and promos. I can create custom jewelry out of your family heirlooms and vintage keepsakes. Contact me and we can work together to make the piece of your dreams!

On the Road - Hot Cup o' Handmade 3

Beautiful weather, relaxation, and time to create. Just when I thought my vacation week couldn't get any better, along came Hot Cup o' Handmade 3. It was the perfect way to kick off my spring and summer show season. I joined Grace Napoleon of Folk Couture and Jen Matlack of Milly Gilly Home and Garden (aka Daisy Chestnut) for a three artist trunk show at my favorite coffee shop - Molten Java in Bethel, CT. Molten's new glorious location was the ideal backdrop for our event. 

Molten Java menagerie

Grace and Jen go green

It was great cozying up to a drink and catching up with Jen. She displayed a lovely variety of terrariums and her famous garden spoons. Jen has a great knack for finding unique vessels for her plants and adding whimsical finishing touches. Read more about Jen in her Etsy Featured Seller interview and definitely visit her online shop to see how her garden grows.

springtime is served

someone to watch over you

I always enjoy seeing Grace's new creations. Her display was in full bloom with bursts of color and pattern for the spring. Our friend Karin stopped by and found the perfect Folk Couture dress for her upcoming art opening at the Mercurial Gallery. She looked gorgeous! Grace has a full show season ahead (including many shows we'll be doing together). Follow her Facebook to see where you can find her next.

off to an art opening

fresh florals

What I loved best about this show was that every hour, different friends (old and new) would pop by. I felt like I was on a sitcom with many celebrity guest appearances. Sue and her adorable daughter Aurelia swung by to say hello. Sue picked a "DIY" game piece ring. It was a perfect match for her because she's a real DIY kind of gal. This month she will be opening a vintage and handmade shop on Bank Street in New Milford called Vudu Micia. I can't wait to see what she has to offer! I also met Luisa, who works upstairs at Byrd's Books. It turns out I had two of her cousins as students and knew her mom (small world). She looked smashing in my favorite protractor necklace called "Bluebird's Return." 

Sue and Aurelie - two starlets on the stairs

game piece and wooden nickel ring

The lovely Luisa sports a protractor.

Bluebird's Return

Lys and Elizabeth brightened our day.

I enjoyed every moment of hanging out at Molten Java and cannot wait for the next Hot Cup o' Handmade. You can find me in NY, MA, and RI in May and June. Here is my schedule. Please swing by or visit my Etsy shop. I currently have an Etsy Trashion Team sale going on. The coupon code EARTH15 = 15% off at checkout. Hope to see you out and about!