"Muscatine, Iowa
Pearl Button Bouquet"
This is a unique piece incorporating freshwater pearl buttons from the MIssissippi River rather than more traditional ocean pearls. At the turn of the century, Muscatine, Iowa was a hub for freshwater pearl button production. Several years ago, 8000 lbs. of freshwater pearl buttons were dicovered in a Muscatine, Iowa fish warehouse. I was lucky to obtain 2 lbs. from the original find and 42 of the pearls are used in this piece. I have combined the pearls with an "Invisible Alliance" hook & eye card and old needle packages. This work of art is framed in an embossed black frame with multiple neutral colored, black core mats. Approx. 9 3/4" by 9 3/4" by 3" (including frame). A history of the buttons & pearl production in Muscatine, Iowa is included. #VE200 - $395
(CLICK THE IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW) |
 |
"Rosa Bouquet"
This is a truly stunning piece reminiscent of domed arrangements found in the Victorian parlors of the nineteenth century. It is constructed with over 170 vintage mother of pearl buttons and thousands of tiny silver lined glass seed beads. The arrangement is attached to the painted black based with a vintage doorknob rosette, and accented with French script paper and encased in a glass dome. Approx. 12" by 7" (including dome). #FS300 - $850
(CLICK THE IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW)
|
"A Gift of Love"
A vintage greeting of love was the inspiration for this piece. Bright jewel tone colors are surrounded by 32 white china buttons and numerous glass seed beads. Framed in an embossed white shadowbox frame with white mat board. Approx. 12 1/2" by 7 1/2" by 3" (including frame). #VE300 - $375
(CLICK THE IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW) |
|
"Della Darn"
A Fantastic "Della Darn" fan card of darning thread was the inspiration for this design. This piece was constructed with 12 mid-20th century plastic buttons and hundreds of matte and shiny glass seed beads. Framed in an embossed black shadow box frame and mounted on multiple neutral colored, black core mat boards. Approx. 8 1/2" by 11" by 3" (including frame). VE100 - $275
(CLICK THE IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW) |
"Carved Pearls Dome"
Carved pearls are the focal point of this tiny bouquet encased in glass. Nineteen carved pearls, carefully chosen for their designs are set against darker pearls for contrast and to showcase the hand carving. This bouquet, 37 vintage buttons in all, is spilling out of a repurposed ebonized wood salt shaker mounted on a black wood base and accented with part of a vintage australian bank check. Approx. 5 1/2" by 4" (including dome). #VE300 - $175
(CLICK THE IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW) |
"Tea Rose"
A set of heavily carved and nicely colored shell buttons, set off by a burst of two tone glass beads, are the centerpiece for this show stopper. This piece is framed in a heavily embossed silver leaf frame and backed by French script paper and neutral colored mats. Approx. 8 1/2" by 11" by 2" (including frame). #FS200 - $230
(CLICK THE IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW) |
|
