Closures – Remnants

Unique Jewelry Fashioned from Antique & Collectible Buttons, Cufflinks & Buckles

The Artist

Hi !  I am an antique button collector and jewelry maker from Newton, Kansas.  In 1992 I left a fast track corporate sales career to become a stay at home mom to my then 2 year old son Matthew.   I had my second son, Ryan, in 1993.   I loved being a stay at home mom, but found that I needed an additional creative outlet.  I had become interested in vintage quilts and textiles….and this eventually led me to the fabulous world of antique and vintage buttons… and in 1994 I started designing jewelry from these buttons. 

Initially I made pieces for myself,  family and friends.  I received lots of positive feedback and was encouraged to display at an arts and crafts fair….and I’ve never looked back since!   I worked during nap and bed times, then eventually school hours.   As the boys became more independent I started adding art shows a little further from home.  My husband Tracy is my greatest supporter and  took over the boys while mom went to a “button show”.

Now that my oldest son is out of the house and my younger one is driving…I work at this full time.  My “button room” had spilled its’ contents into several different areas of our home so in 2006 I purchased a seperate studio, about 10 blocks from my house.  I moved my now extensive inventory and display materials into the studio…and I LOVE my new creative space!   

 Over the years my designs have evolved  from  the button jewelry to also include buckles, cufflinks, pieces of vintage costume jewelry, game pieces, watch parts, typewriter keys and anything else I find interesting.   The Closures line is the original button jewelry, cufflink and buckle jewelry, (anything that “closed” something).  The  Remnant  line is jewelry that I use bits, pieces and remnants of vintage costume jewelry, game pieces, watch parts, type keys and everything else.  Each piece I design is one-of-a-kind, and I never get bored because my medium is always changing!   Like everything else these days,  availability of raw materials has lessened and prices have soared.  Since I have accumulated inventory since 1993, I am able offer exceptional quality of materials.  I have a great repeat customer base because I stand behind my work and want you to love your jewelry.     

My ultimate goal is for my jewelry to become tomorrow’s heirlooms from yesterday’s treasures …and your favorite piece to wear after your diamonds!     Thanks so much for stopping by!     - Melinda

 

Melinda Hutton is an artist from Newton, Kansas. She designs bracelets using antique and collectible buttons. Each piece she designs is one-of-a-kind, and most of the buttons she uses date from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s.

Melinda Hutton

Melinda stumbled upon the world of antique buttons several years ago and became hooked! “Imagine my delight in finding a medium for jewelry which is richly varied, imaginatively designed and exquisitely crafted. My goal with my designs is to create heirloom pieces of jewelry that will preserve the art of vintage buttons and expose these tiny ‘masterpieces’ to more people.”

Melinda appreciates the historical value of antique buttons and joined the National Button Society (comprised of more than 4,000 members) to learn all about the buttons she wanted to use. She only uses buttons that are still plentiful in the button collecting circles. “I usually purchase buttons that are not deemed collectible due to their condition or availability. They are ALL wonderful and fascinating to me, but the experienced collector usually isn’t interested in the buttons I like. When I do get a ’special’ button it goes into my personal collection and out of my general stock. The larger picture buttons are too special not to wear as a pin…so I leave the shank on the back so they can always be restored to a button.”