MrBsButtonJamboree

Buttons have always been part of my life. For as long as I can remember I have collected buttons. At first it was just odd buttons from clothes or donated by family, I seemed to be able to attract them from all manner of places. A few years ago though it started getting serious...I was unable to walk past buttons in a shop without exclaiming and stopping. I became a collector.

Initially this was a collection without purpose. The buttons just took up space in my house and occasionally I would run my hands through them. Then fate intervened...I bought some button earrings...and then some more...and then a button bracelet. I started thinking to myself - maybe I could have a go at making my own button jewellery! So I bought a few basic bits and pieces - earring posts, hair grips and very cheap super glue. Armed in this manner, I made some simple earrings and hair grips for myself. Over time I sought better materials, bought buttons specifically for making into jewellery for myself, made some for friends, had requests and enquiries...the seed for my own business had been sown.

At the same time, we decided to make a major change in the way we were living. Neither of us were happy with where and how we lived plus life, though full of many happy times, had also presented us with a fair few tough times...so we decided to sell up, put our belongings into storage and seek new experiences. In 18 months, our travels took us around the UK in our trusty Bongo campervan and across the seas to Singapore, New Zealand and Japan. During our sometimes magical, sometimes tough time away, we decided that we were going to do things differently and explore the possibilities of working for ourselves in a way that would let us live and not just exist.

So on our return to the UK we moved to the opposite end of the country seeking a new start and are now busy doing just that. Photography and buttons have become how we spend our days now. I have allowed myself to be the creative person that was bubbling away underneath the me that was trying to have a 'sensible' career. I love making my bright, happy, fun earrings and have big plans for expansion over the coming months.

Perhaps the only other thing to say here is how the name came about:

Button - being all about buttons, the name needed to have the word

Jamboree - it is a word that makes me feel happy and fun, just like my button jewellery does

Mr B - this is the personal bit. Named after my beloved cat Arnold aka Mr B. A tribute to a cat more special than I could ever put into words. Now you know where the cat logo comes from too!

Hope you have enjoyed reading my 'About' page. If you would like to know more about my business, see what I get up to or find out about new products and future plans - please have a look at my blog, twitter, facebook or instagram. However you do it, I would love to hear from you :-)