Buttons & Bows was launched on Substack in August of 2024 with goal of creating stories and art that could raise funds to support near-and-dear-to-me projects and causes such as environmental and animal protection, women's rights, and educational reform.
The owner of Buttons & Bow (a fictional character known as "the Proprietress") uses the stories her customers share with her as the basis for the art she creates and sells in her shop. I created the Proprietress as a challenge for myself as a writer. Seeing, writing, and creating through her eyes has allowed me to step away from personal essays and explore other ways of seeing and being in the world.
I also wanted to find and publish unique voices that might not otherwise be seen or heard.
Some of the most popular and engaging stories the Proprietress has published have been part of the "Messy Mistakes" series. These essays tell the stories of people's mistakes, misadventures, and conundrums and how they dealt with them. Below you'll find links to some of my favorite posts and the Buttons & Bows online store where my art can be purchased.
To see the entire collection of stories, visit:
https://buttonsandbows.substack.com/
To visit the Buttons & Bows online store visit:
Stories from the Buttons & Bows Archives
Creative Taproots: A creative vision
“The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.” ― Barbara Kingsolver
The Proprietress talkes about how she sees the world and the importance of stories.
First Encounters: The Proprietress meets the cadre
The sign in front of the Buttons and Bows Boutique proudly proclaims that it offers clothing for Discerning women. It was the word discerning that makes the cadre stop. “We’re definitely discerning,” said Rosalyn our braided hair diva with red, white, and blue flags on her inch long nails. The sign in the front window read, “A Boutique for Smart and Sassy Women.”
“And we're smart and sassy too!” Annie said. “Let’s check it out.”
Talisman for a Friend: Remembering Anna
“Love is the open sesame to every soul." - Elizabeth Cady Stanton
The Proprietress remembers and celebrates the life of a close friend from college that she just learned has passed away.
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You Did Good Today by Ralph Khoury
“Every times you got it wrong, you were one step closer to getting it right.”
This gem of an animated poem brought tears to my eyes with four simple words, “You did good today.” How often do we hear that? How often do we allow ourselves to acknowledge or feel what we’ve accomplished simply by getting through our days?
Messy Mistakes - Mistake into Mission by Amy Ferris
“I love that my life is made up of broken-edgy frayed magnificent glorious sexy gooey messy amazing life-pieces; I am so proud of who I have become, because I gotta say for a while it was touch and fucking go.” - Amy Ferris
Messy Mistakes: The Molokai by Bob Bickford
A messy mistake that will have you groaning and laughing in sympathy. Bob has found a beautiful ceramic turtle for sale as part of a going out of business special. Fortunately Bob is capable for seeing the humor in most things and recognizes a good story when he sees it even if it's at his own expense. Enjoy.
Blindsided: Consequences by Tizz O'Toole
The Proprietress shares the first of a three part story as told to her by a dear friend.
Blindsided: The Seed of Possibility by Tizz O'Toole
The Proprietress shares the second of her friend's three part story.
Blindsided: Kindred Spirits by Tizz O'Toole
The Proprietress shares the third and final part of her friend's story.
"When women lose themselves, the world loses its way.” - Glennon Doyle
Poet and activist Gloria Horton-Young, recently wrote a poem entitled Legacy that delivered a history lesson that each and every one of us needs to hear as well. Please sit with Gloria’s words. Read them aloud to yourself. Gather other women and read them aloud to and with them until your hearts and minds are full, until the courage and audacity of what she’s said seeps into your bones and you can answer this question:
“Can you remember who you were before the world told you who you should be?”
Ba Ba Black Sheep: by Margot Potter
"I realized something profound last night...something that had eluded me lo these many years. I realized that in our secret heart of hearts we all feel like ‘the black sheep.’ Even the people who seem to have ‘it all’ may not feel like they’ve got it...at all." - Margot Potter