Sometimes, when I have a little extra clay leftover from a slab type project, I make a few pendants or buttons so that I don’t waste the clay. I participated in a mini craft fair at my daughter’s elementary school last October and met a talented seamstress and designer, Eileen Schurer who promptly bought some of my buttons that I had brought with me. Eileen commissioned me to make about 24 more buttons in various colors to coordinate with some of the fabric that she was using for her gorgeous purses.
Unfortunately, Eileen doesn’t yet have a website, but she’s working on it. It sort of sounds like she’s plenty busy without the added exposure.
Meanwhile, I made more buttons to bring with me to the Fancy Tiger Holiday Handmade show last December and almost sold out. I had no idea that there was such a market for buttons - knitters, sewers, scrap book/altered artists and collectors are rabid about handmade buttons. Who would have thunk?
When I was at the Fancy Tiger show, I had a lengthy conversation with a woman who bought most of the buttons above for herself and her sister who both collect buttons. She advised me to market these more aggressively - telling me that truly one of kind, fantastic buttons can go for $50.00+ to collectors. That seems like quite a niche market, but one I’m not ready to dive into yet. I decided to do a quick search on ceramic buttons, and found this site - now here’s someone who has found her niche.The woman I spoke with advised me to sign my buttons for added value. Speaking of signatures, someone recently purchased a ceramic pendant from me, but was disappointed that I hadn’t signed it. I regularly sign my other ceramic work, but didn’t realize that people place a value on signatures for buttons and jewelry. What do you think?By the way, if anyone is interested in Eileen’s purses, shoot me an email and I’ll forward it to her.
Have a good week,
~Cynthia
Tags: ceramic buttons, clay button, designer purses, eileen schurer
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I know it sounds like a self indulgence, but sign and date everything.
Isn`t it amazing what you can do with scrap clay. Yes, buttons are a collectors item. My wife has made raku buttons for designers in the past. Cost effective to fire also.
Yes, people do put value on artists signing anything and everything…even buttons. I sign mine. You may be interested in joining a group http://www.beads-of-clay.org
Have a great day!
Tari
claybuttons.com
GREAT buttons. Who knew the button collecting market was so huge! Keep up the great work!
Mornin’ Cynthia
My internet is in and out –
So! Short reply
Yes! sign your jewelry.
Second: do you glaze the back of your buttons? If so - how???
Third: can i be inquisitive as heck and ask how much you’ve been charging for the buttons?
Hey! Have a greatest day!
Hugs
Chae
I too sign everything! Love the buttons!!
sign them cynthia
people do like to know who made them and after all it is YOUR work.
How cool to see them used on those bags, which are really nice by the way.
jafabrit
Whoda thunk? That is great.
Cynthia, what fun thing!! Thanks for telling us about Eileen Schurer’s purses. She does beautiful work.
And yes, you are an artist, sign your work!
The ceramic buttons are too cool!
I had no idea, John! I bet your wife’s raku buttons were gorgeous.
Hiya Tari - your buttons are gorgeous, I’ll have a look at beads of clay, thank you.
Welcome Homespun Mama!
I glaze the back of my buttons if they’re low fire, but have found that at ^6, they warp if I try to stilt them, Chae. I sell my buttons for $5.00 apiece, but apparently, that’s on the low side.
Thanks Paula
I knew I recognized ysartist, from somewhere, Jafabrit!
I should use some of my own buttons, Janet and Diana - but that would mean switching out my purse - or maybe a little sewing.
Jean, Eileen does make gorgeous purses & fun belts too. I think she has them in a local shop.
Cynthia .. these button’s are beautiful. I agree, sign, sign, sign. The buttons on items like the purse’s certainly showcase them. Lovely. I think you may have a new profession……you can have a button maker boutique.
I tried to post a comment yesterday and it spit it out… thought I’d give another try.
Your buttons are beautiful. I have a nice collection of buttons. I have no use for them - I just think they are cool.
Yes, a signature is nice for the purchaser and invaluable for your records.It helps to have a short name!