Featured Zibbeter - AllAboutTheButtons
This week we have another long-overdue feature for you. If there is anyone who has not yet met Barbra of All About The Buttons I will be surprised. Friendly, upbeat, helpful and of course very creative.
In Barbra’s shop you will find a wide variety of crafts but there is a singular theme going on there….look closely at each item….buttons… Barbra incorporates buttons into most of her creations.
Please enjoy the interview, leave Barbra a comment, and then use the Share Tools so others can read it, too. Please spread the Zibbet Love!
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Tell us a bit about yourself?
It’s never been easy for me to ‘talk’ about me but I will answer all questions openly and honestly, maybe with TMI…too much information! My father was a leather designer and my mother sewed a great deal & had an artistic leaning. My brother tinkered and built things and still does today. He is just about ready to sell his photography work which I think is extraordinary. We were a creative bunch. I taught myself how to knit at 8 and shocked my mother and her mah jongg friends. My loving to create continued as I was an art major in college. I sold many things from cards and scarves, to posters for fraternity parties and sporting events. After college, I chose to go into elementary school teaching and did so for 33 years while still creating on the side and even in my classrooms. In 1993, I inherited my mother’s/grandmother’s cookie tin of buttons and I just sat and played and imagined and All About The Buttons was established at my kitchen table. I now have a dedicated studio. No more cleaning up just because someone wants dinner! -
Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?
I retired from teaching in 2002 and moved with my husband from New York to South Carolina. My son, daughter-in-law and 2 grandsons are here and I do not miss the snow and the cold at all. Being so close to them is a gift. I actually ‘work’ for my son 3 days a week. My title is “Purchasing Coordinator” which means I shop with someone else’s money…not bad! I buy everything from apples to zip drives and keep the office stocked with supplies, treats and other necessities. I love to garden and read and there’s always another book to start or a weed to pull. -
What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?
Three things inspire me…I love the basic supplies-buttons, yarn, paper and ribbon-which are often purchased with no goal in mind. They started out as someone else’s creations and I make them mine. I don’t make buttons, or spin yarn but taking them from a kind of raw state to a useful and beautiful item is so enjoyable. Often a material will sit for months but eventually will get used somehow. Actually, that’s not true! My button and yarn stash could keep me and several others busy for years! I also love to recycle and repurpose, whether it’s for sale or my private use. There’s a great feeling in NOT throwing something out. And finally, I am inspired by special orders. The ideas start swimming and the creative spirit of others is inspiring. A favorite special order resulted in my having 2 projects featured in a book titled, what else?, “Button!Button!” -
Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why?
The “can-do” attitude of my parents is still a constant in my life even though they are no longer here. They passed along the creative genes and I am blessed by that. My brother and I, although separated by great distance, have some uncanny creative connections and seek each other for ideas and suggestions. Unknown to each other, we both started making clocks at the same time and then were able to share techniques.
He began taking pictures of doors and windows not knowing I have a sizable collection of the same! -
What other passions do you have in your life?
The standard, pat, usual answer is family and it’s true. My son has grown into a wonderful husband, father and business owner and once again he’s my claim to fame! My husband is very supportive and I’d be lost without his help at shows. Of course, when I tell him about a show that we’ll be attending, his first concern is the availability of food concessions!
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What do you like most about Zibbet?
The ease of listing, the beauty of the shops and the support of the administration attracted me to Zibbet almost 3 years ago. I’m still here for those reasons. There is an atmosphere of cooperation, warmth and knowledge that is outstanding from the administration down to the newest member. I feel I have made lifelong friendships here and I am so grateful for that.
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What ‘new’ things would you like to see added to Zibbet?
The items being worked on for the re-build are going to continue to make Zibbet a premier site. Individual item and shop stats need some tweaking and I’m confident of the future.
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How do you promote your work?
I joined the Facebook, blog, Pinterest and Twitter bandwagons and can’t say I would have if not for the business. I do think it’s necessary, as well as being active in the forums. It’s all about getting your name and product out there. I do know of some direct sales due to them, especially the forums. I have tried Project Wonderful many times with mixed results. It is worth a try. I also read many blogs and comment a great deal. I participate in groups like LinkedIn as well specifically to learn, not as much to promote. But the more you’re around, the more your name becomes known. I also try to be a bit of a mentor and help others. Kindness counts!
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How would you recommend other Zibbeters make the most of Zibbet.com?
The ins and out with selling online can be overwhelming but the Zibbet members are so caring and knowledgeable, you should take advantage of their expertise. Sadly, many believe that all that is needed to sell online is to list your item and sit back and wait….not so! Be prepared to work harder than the effort of your creation took! Be active in the forums, the best one around. Answer inquiries in a reasonable amount of time. Help others. Do not jam your work down everyone’s throat. Ask questions, be positive and play nice! -
In the future I’d like to be…
healthy, wiser and have a smaller yarn stash so I can justify shopping for more!
Wonderful article. I too love buttons which was why your article caught my eye. Seems like there are lots of button hunters these days. Love your work. Like you I wish my yarn stash was smaller so I could buy more.
Congrats Barbra!
Wonderful interview, and no, not TMI.
Barbra, what a wonderful interview. We have so much in common with family and yarn being tops. I wish you much success.
yeah! finally Barbra! was waiting for the juicy TMI ….! Wonderful interview Barbra!
Barbra Buttons! Wonderful to read your interview my friend. Best wishes for much success on Zibbet! Vicki
How nice to learn a bit more about one of my very favorite Zibbeters! My “soul-mate” in button addiction! As an owner of several of Barbra’s creations, I love her creativity and attention to details.
Barbra, I’m thrilled to read this and learn a bit more about you. As far as I am concerned, getting to know you has been one of the perks of Zibbet! xo
jean
rotem gear
What a wonderful interview, Barbra!
Button, buttons, who’s got the buttons? Barbra’s got the buttons!!! LOL
It’s great to read your interview Barbara. You are very lucky to have your whole family around you. I think it is wonderful! You have so many beautiful things in your shop and I wish you continued success!
Barbara,
What a wonderful and inspiring interview.
I am also from a very crafty family so that really hit home with me. :-)You have awesome items in your shop.
Congrats on the feature! Great interview! And your work is adorable
Hi Barbra. It was so nice reading about you. You are my one and only customer here and a friend of mine on Facebook. Now I feel I know you better. I wish you loads of success.
Elinor
ps Very nice picture.
Wonderful interview ~ wonderful insight into a shining example of womanhood, entrepreneurship, family love, creativity - and I’m proud to be your friend!
Grandmother Carolyn
Great interview, certainly long overdue!
~Sunfire
Love your interview and learning about your creative family. I so enjoy watching what new, unique item you’ll list next and I know buttons will be included somewhere! Thanks for sharing, Barbra!
I think my first welcome to zibbet was from Barbra. It was so nice compared to other sites. Made me think I made a good choice coming here.
Great to know more about you - although like others, I’m still waiting for the TMI
I was amused by your remark “Sadly, many believe that all that is needed to sell online is to list your item and sit back and wait….not so!” as I made the same remark in an interview elsewhere - and it was immediately picked up in the comments by people who’d misunderstood and thought I’d said “build it and they WILL come”. Keep up the good work!
Love Ms Barbara Buttons! Wonderful interview,enjoyed very much reading more of you and your family. Meeting Barbara is another big plus to being on Zibbet!
Wishing you all the best
Tami
Beautiful interview Barb! Your shop is amazing and meeting you here on Zibbet is one of the reasons I luv this site so much! Best wishes in everything you do! ( from a fellow button “lubber” )
Great interview & nice to learn more about you Barbra! I too have loved buttons since I was a young child, and I love to see what your creations are!
Awe, very nice interview Barbra!
Well deserved
Wow, what a great interview. I really thought you’d been on here already since I know so much about you!
Kay
What a lovely interview, you certainly are talented in many ways.
Andrea
Thank you Barbra for sharing your TMI and your love of family. You were one of the first to respond and help me and I will always remember your kindness. It’s wonderful to read “the rest of the story”…
Where’s the red ink? Blushing but so grateful for all the friends I’ve made here and all the wonderful comments. Still wondering if those remarks are really about me….!
Great interview and good luck to you!
You are a treasure to Zibbet. Keep up the great work and attitude!
It was so lovely to read about you finally, Barbara! Congratulations!
Great Interview Ms Buttons!!!
Barbara, this was a beautiful, inspirational interview! I wish you much success on here & wherever else you are
Great job - great shop!
How’d I miss this? Barbra is a super person, sweet, kind, and a joy to know! She’s a huge asset to the Zibbet Community, and her shop is awesome!
I’d like to add she also promotes her shop through Z Box here on Zibbet and we LOVE having her! It’s awesome to see her as a Featured Zibbeter!!!!
yay!! Long long overdue [... as is my comment!] Barbra, I truly thought you’d been featured before!
What a lovely lady, super Zibbeter, great online shopkeep, and delightful, loving friend ~ congratulations, Barbra xo
Excellent interview, darling ~ I’m so pleased to see you here ♥ karen
Thank you, all. So heart warming to read all your kind thoughts.{{{HUGS}}}♥
Nice feature! Very friendly person!
Congrats on the feature! Great advice here. It was fun to read more about you. Much success! <3
Wonderful interview. Wish you the best in all.
As cute as-you guessed it-a button!
PD
Congrats.Great advice,thank you for sharing.