Handmade Buttons by Incomparable Buttons 

Just around the corner of the TQS booth in Houston we discovered some amazing handmade buttons created and painted by hand by women in South Africa.  The business, called Incomparable Buttons, was started in 1984 by Jennifer Pascall as a way to employ and support out of work women in the area.  The idea for the button business literally came to her one night while sleeping.

Her first designs were created around the kitchen table.  She freely admits that her initial buttons were a mess.  Eventually she developed a clay mix (slip) that worked.  Early buttons that incorporate traditional African designs and animals are still popular today.  Along with African themed buttons their designs include animals, fruits and vegetables, sea animals as well as simple graphics.

As the company grew Jennifer hired and trained women from the local community in the art of button making.  Most of the women hired had never held a paintbrush in their hand.  Today they are considered masters of their craft. Each woman takes great pride in the work she produces. "The ladies sense of belonging within the company and skills as crafters not only gives them tremendous pleasure but also provides them with economic empowerment and has uplifted all their families."

Each button is made using a slip that contains crushed stone.  This makes the button extremely hard and machine washable.  They do not recommend dry cleaning.  The buttons, once created, are dried outside in the sun, and then fired for 24 hours in a kiln.  You might want to consider some of these unique buttons for your next embellishment project.  To learn more about Incomparable Buttons and to read about some of the artists click here.