Falling behind?

It's been a couple weeks since I've posted and I guess it's because I've been falling behind. I'm not sure where the time goes and I'm really not sure how others manage to carve out the time it takes to run a business on the side and keep up a blog.

Since I'm behind on the business, I figured I'd share what I HAVE been doing the past few weeks. I work for an advertising agency. We do what's called issue advertising, which means I don't sell toothpaste, I sell ideas or concepts. Usually we're advocating for a piece of legislation, sometimes it's a candidate, sometimes we're helping a company with their branding or reputation. Theoretically, I should be better at branding myself, but I have found it's somehow harder when YOU are the product. Anyone with me?

I've spent most of the day working on a TV spot. This is pretty much the sexy stuff in advertising. I do a ton of print and quite a bit of online, but most of my days are spent just making sure the wheels are turning in the right direction in a campaign. So when I get to work on a TV spot, the day gets a little more exciting.

Because we're advocating for a piece of legislation, this particular spot is to tell legislators their constituents support the legislation. It should also let people know why we're advocating for this position so they can join our group if they're so inclined.

That meant going out with a video camera a couple weeks ago and shooting what people had to say on our issue. We had about 8 people who were willing to get on camera and talk about this issue - mostly just telling us what they think about it. We went through about an hour and a half of tape looking for exactly the right clips that would tell the story we need to tell in 30 seconds. This can become difficult if people are long winded because, quick fact, it usually takes 30 seconds to say 70 words.

Did I mention I've learned to liberally edit my writing in this job?

So today I spent many hours in a room with an editor sorting through the clips, trying to find just the right combination that would lay out the problem and the solution for our issue all ending with a rousing call to action. We're heading back tomorrow to finish what I think - at this moment - is very close to telling the story I need to tell. Sometimes, though, you have to look away from a piece in order to figure out how the puzzle will eventually fall into place as it should.

It made me realize that this is what I love about the creative process. You can start with a pile of random stuff and end up with something that makes sense - if only to you. And if you're lucky, you'll make a thing of beauty.

I'm probably justifying myself, but I think sometimes it's okay to fall behind. Because creativity can't be rushed. And the laundry is going to be there tomorrow.

I hope you'll be here tomorrow too.

Buttons... buttons... buttons....

To say I've had a life long love of buttons probably doesn't exactly convey the crazy little welling of joy when I "find" a new stash of these little jewels. I think anyone who loves buttons understands what I mean. It's somewhat irrational the temptation to take each find home, add it to your special button pile that's kept for only the best of projects. And forget looking on ebay. That's just asking money to pour from your pockets in waves... at least that's true for me.

The first place I remember treasure hunting is in my Mama's button box - the button box that was added to her mother's button box, that was added to her mother's button box, and on, and on. I come from a long line of button hoarders. I remember there being smaller boxes and prescription bottles where an attempt at sorting had taken place. Pearl buttons were with pearl buttons, six of the same button strung together with string and baby buttons gathered in a Sucrets tin. I'd pick through them and pull out the ones I liked best, sorting as I went (I'm more than a little OCD, I admit it).

Then there are specific instances I remember being with Mama and finding buttons that demanded a special outfit, or an outfit that demanded special buttons. One such sighting was in Asheville, NC in a yarn shop. They had these amazing pewter buttons with thistles that were something like $8 each. My high school budget certainly couldn't afford such an outrageous sum, and even begging garnered only 3 of these precious thistles that later found a home on one of Mama's creations. Then there were the special trips to G-Street Fabrics in Rockville, MD with their rows of shelves of buttons that completed more than one of my formal gowns and countless jackets.

These days I haunt estate sales and flea markets hoping to find that box of a lifetime - the one with the carved pearl, the czech glass, the painted glass, faceted jet - buttons that go beyond the brown and black of most button boxes. And after years of searching I remember only three sales that really blew me away. The best was the flea market in Fairmont, WV where I found two large boxes of buttons, one white, one multi-colored, sitting under a table offered for $10 for the lot. I snapped those up!

I'm often left relying on the kindness of strangers. I had a former co-worker who cleaned out her mother's house after her death who remembered I was "crafty" and offered me the leftovers of a lifetime of sewing. That gift included not only buttons, but yarns and notions and books on pattern drafting - all welcome additions to my collection.

Most recently, my mother-in-law heard that I was again collecting buttons to use in my jewelry design. I had finally found a way to incorporate my love of buttons into my need to create. She unearthed her golden tin of buttons collected as a child with HER grandmother by going to the local salvage yard and pulling buttons from discarded clothing.

So how about you? Do you keep your buttons in their original boxes? Are yours sorted in old prescription bottles? Did some of your collection come from your mother or grandmother? Did you string them when you were young? Do you design outfits around the most special of your collection?

Am I alone in my love of buttons? I doubt I am.