big mouth strikes again...

many of us have our "secret sources" - i certainly do. it's good to share but sometimes you don't want everyone to know where you find your special things. there is a shop in the bay area that is a very famous well kept secret and i finally had a chance to visit. now i would normally also want to keep a special store like this a secret but i feel compelled to tell the world about this one because it's just so extra special.

exclusive buttons is located in el cerrito which is just a little north of berkeley. it's been on my list of places to visit when i'm town but i never seemed to be able to get around to it - and boy am i kicking myself now that i had been blowing it off all this time. it's a very tiny shop with more buttons that you will probably ever see in one place at one time. it's very neatly organized and lovingly maintained.

i had the pleasure of meeting mary who now runs the shop on her own since her husband vince passed away last year. she told me about their wholesale business and how they started the shop. mary proudly told me that "none of our buttons are plastic" and showed me some amazing bakelite and glass buttons that are stored in tiny little drawers. it's so cool to meet someone who has so much passion about something and continues to work at it into their older years.

i really didn't need anything but i did buy a few cards of buttons (one for me and some to give as gifts) but i kind of felt like i wanted to have one of each button so i could somehow hold on to the experience of being in that store forever. i actually got a little teared up as i walked out the door.

exclusive buttons
10252 san pablo ave
el cerrito, ca
510/524-5606
open fri + sat 11am - 4 pm

and since i was in the hood i also made the pilgrimage to tail of the yak in berkeley.

Comments

[Crafty Chica]

it's good karma for you! and i was so happy to see you again, hope we can hang out someday for coffee and chat crafts! hope you had a super successful weekend, it sure looked like you did! peace, love, and glitter!
kathy :-)

[Bridget B.]

Ah, yes, you can't share all the sources - it's like being a craft detective or a craft reporter - reveal your sources, and you put them at risk! (at least, that's one way to think of it . . .)