About Button Bling

I have this thing about vintage buttons but I didn't always have it. It happened innocently enough at an estate sale one breezy spring morning. There they were; a sandwich bag full of purple buttons next to one of blue, next to another one of red (you get the picture) - I was hooked and never looked back. I did however begin to wonder how I could justify buying more and more old buttons... I was becoming a wee bit obsessive. So, in an effort to justify my new found mania, I began to make things out of buttons. Many a prototype and 40 different kinds of glue later, Button Bling was born.

The Cloth

In an attempt to keep things authentically 'vintage', I use as much vintage fabric as I can find but I often mix modern fabrics with the vintage. I also try and use fabrics that are comfortable to wear; silk, velvet, cotton.

The Findings

At this juncture, Button Bling jewelry falls into the 'well made but costume' category. I will occasionally use sterling or semi precious gems but they proudly sit among materials of lesser renown. I find that my pieces have a lot of 'character' (meaning they are full of found objects, antique, old and odd ball 'stuff'). My Pendants are strung from everything from elastic to sewing trims, cord, sterling chain and leather.

The Artist

My name is Shelly Caldwell - ya, that's me with the fancy white shoes standing beside my sister. I'm a web designer by day, button maven by night. One day I hope to become a full fledged jewelry designer! My background (way back) is in Architecture and Art History (University of Oregon, thank you very much). I like to make stuff and garden. I have two cats; Hamilton and Brindle.