Hello, I’m Lou, the face behind Buttons and Things Co – and yes, I really do spend a ridiculous amount of my life thinking about buttons!
If you’re new here, welcome. And if you’ve bought from me before, you’ll already know that Buttons and Things Co is definitely not just a shop full of plain little shirt buttons.
There are buttons with birds on them. Buttons with cats. Beautiful glass and metal buttons. Tiny buttons, enormous buttons, buckles, toggles, trims and all sorts of other things that I probably didn’t need to buy... but absolutely did.
So I thought it was about time I properly introduced myself and told you a little about the business behind all those buttons.
It all started long before 2020…
Buttons and Things Co officially began in 2020, but I certainly didn’t wake up one morning and suddenly decide I fancied selling buttons.
Before moving to Cornwall, I spent around 20 years running a haberdashery with my mum in Oldham, so threads, ribbons, buttons and sewing supplies have been part of my working life for a very long time.
Over the years I discovered that I particularly loved buttons.
I know. Of all the things to become slightly obsessed with!
But there is something very satisfying about finding exactly the right button. Change the buttons on a cardigan or coat and suddenly it can look completely different.
And once you start noticing buttons, you see them everywhere.
So what exactly do we sell?
Well… buttons. Lots of them.
But we also have buckles, toggles, frog fastenings, trims and haberdashery, along with selected supplies for knitting, sewing and crafts.
I love finding things that are just a little bit different.
Alongside everyday buttons you'll find shell, corozo, coconut, metal, horn, leather and some fabulous decorative glass and metal designs.
Some are sensible.
Some are unusual.
Some arrive and I immediately think, Oh, I love those.
Those are usually dangerous because I then want them in every colour.
And then Cornwall got involved…
We now live and work in beautiful Cornwall, not far from St Ives, and it was probably inevitable that Cornwall would start creeping into the business.
The sea, beaches, fishing boats, wildlife, old engine houses and the colours of the Cornish landscape have given me all sorts of ideas.
That led to our Inspired by Cornwall range, which has become a lovely part of what we do.
I particularly enjoy putting colours and designs together and coming up with something you won't necessarily find in every other button shop.
There are always more ideas than there are hours in the day!
Behind the scenes
Buttons and Things Co is a small family business, and our workshop is at home here in Cornwall.
This is where your orders are picked and packed, photographs are taken, new products are sorted and an alarming number of little bags of buttons find their way onto every available surface.
I choose the ranges, photograph them, write the listings, answer messages and pack orders.
So when you send us a message asking, “Do you think this button would work on my green cardigan?”, you're talking to a real person.
And I genuinely don't mind those questions.
In fact, they're one of the nicest parts of the job.
Yes, you can come and see the buttons!
Our Cornwall workshop is now open to visitors by appointment.
So if you're visiting the St Ives area – or you're lucky enough to live nearby – you can arrange to come and have a look.
And looking at buttons online is one thing, but being able to tip through them, compare colours with your yarn or fabric and discover something you weren't actually looking for is quite another.
Fair warning: you may be here a while.
What are we trying to do?
Nothing terribly complicated.
I want Buttons and Things Co to be the sort of place where you can find something a bit different, get proper help when you need it and enjoy having a browse.
Whether you need six buttons for a cardigan, one replacement button for a favourite coat, something unusual for a costume, or 100 buttons for a design project, you're just as welcome.
After all these years, I still get ridiculously pleased when someone sends me a photo of what they've made using our buttons.
And I still get excited when a box of new ones arrives.
I don't think that's going to change anytime soon.
So that's us.
A small family business in Cornwall, a workshop full of buttons, and me – Lou – usually somewhere in the middle of it all.
Thanks for finding us. Have a good rummage around the shop – and if you need help, just ask.
Lou x
Buttons and Things Co