Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Tender Buttons


This funny little brick building in Manhattan is Tender Buttons, my favorite button shop. I used to buy buttons for my hand-knit sweaters there when I lived close by.



The walls of the long, narrow shop are packed with boxes full of buttons of every kind: silver, brass, plastic, bone, horn, antler, glass, wood, ceramic, enamel, and more. Some of the buttons are very old and very special.





There is a museum-like quality to the shop, which has collections of mysterious little artifacts in glass cases. Some of the buttons are also behind glass, like these bird alphabet buttons,


and these vegetable buttons.



Look at this beautiful little antler button.


If my camera hadn't run out of battery, I would have taken many more pictures to show you. I hope you'll have a chance to visit this beautiful spot some day.

16 comments:

Nadja said...

I first read of Tender Buttons in an issue of Victoria Magazine maybe 15 years ago or longer. What eye-candy! I'm sure one could go broke buying buttons there!

Ariella said...

We just did button sewing as a "lesson" today! Wow, your button photos are lovely!

Elizabeth said...

Oh what a wonderful shop. We don't have a button shop anywhere near that I know of and oh how hard it is to find buttons. Thanks for sharing.

rebekka said...

I just LOVE the name....tender buttons!? So precious!!!

FairiesNest said...

Such fabulous buttons...that last one was my favorite!

Appleshoe said...

You truly live in a wonderland. Thank you for sharing this.

Cammie said...

When did you go back? I remember Angela Gotthardt, I think, telling me about Tender Buttons a long time ago... but I never went and found it. Next time I go to NY!

Sharon Lovejoy said...

OH HEAVENS TO BETH, I am enchanted!! When I am in NYC on book tour I will make it a top priority. Thanks so much for the peek.

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Gabriele Kubo said...

Oh, New York!
Never had been there, but this button shop would be a reason to go! Me, too, I love the antler button,( without knowing what "antler" means, is it "elch"? Deer? We call them "tonakai" in Japanese, the elch.) The fine lines around it are so delicate, arent they.
Gabriele

mrsbeccijo said...

WOW, I loved the letter buttons! Those little shops are always pure magic!
Beccijo
http://www.theenchantedcupboard.etsy.com

Anne said...

Wow, what an amazing shop.....:)

FairiesNest said...

Hi Beth,
To answer your question about pages; If you look at my blog, right under the banner are some links. Those are pages. You can add pages by opening a new post page and then click on "edit pages". There you'll find a place to add pages. After you make one you'll get an option to put links on your blog either on the side or under the banner. I hope that helps, I love your beautiful blog!

Suzanne said...

Oh my when I saw the picture and didn't read the text I thought that looks like Manhattan:-) Oh what a gorgeous shop, I would be soooo dangerous in there...LOL! Okay, next time out there I have to find this place:-)

Ravenhill said...

Oh, this is too good, you lucky ducky! What a candy shop for crafters... The deer button is the most amazing one!

Unknown said...

What a fab store. Who would of thought someone could make a living out of selling buttons. Love the alphabet buttons. Just beautiful.Do they have a website to purchase from?
Blessings
Diane

Jessica said...

What a wonderful shop! I'd love to visit it the next time my husband & I go to NYC. The alphabet bird buttons are so beautiful--I'd love to see them in person. :)