• Hi there! May I ask why you are here at Duttons for Buttons today?

I’m looking for some thick elastic for the bottom of my leggings. They’ve still in good condition so I don’t want to throw them, but they’ve come a bit loose around my ankles when you tuck them into my boots and they scrunch up. I want to be able to repair and tighten them again. I’ve just found some at ¾ of an inch for £1.28 a meter, which is really good value! A meter should do the job.

• Do you do a lot of repairing?

I try and do what I can. I always seem to have to shorten my trousers! I do try and alter things to make them last a bit longer, I don’t like to be wasteful and throw things away that still have life in them. Sometimes something just need tweaking ever so slightly to be just right.

• Do you come to this shop a lot?

Hmm… Not that often! I’d like to pop in more as I enjoy being surrounded by so many practical tools and so many decorative items – the button room really inspires me with the way it has been organised.

• Do you collect buttons at all?

I do keep the extra buttons that are attached to coats, blouses and cardigans in a little plastic bag – I have a collection of those, as I never know when something may need repairing! I don’t collect them as a hobby or anything, though.

• What do you think about button collecting?

Everyone has their little things that they enjoy doing... I’m not particularly into it myself but I won’t judge anyone that does. Buttons are nice; I think they are much more interesting than stamp collecting - which I just don’t get! My husband collects lots of stamps and I never really have a clear picture as to why. I think with buttons, at least, there are so many varieties of shapes, colours and materials. “Cute as a button,” as the saying goes!

• Why do you think people collect buttons? What makes them appealing?

They may come in handy one day. Emptying out your collection and admiring them or sorting them seems like a nice way to pass the time. Buttons are quite versatile as well – they can make something look really nice, they can be used in arts and crafts, and used as jewellery… I used to make lots of jewellery when I was a young girl out of buttons and string. I had a big box of necklaces and bracelets I had made in different colours and lengths!

• Why do you think we, as humans, collect objects and treat them as totems or trophies?

Memories can be connected to objects and I think people gather these things to hold onto the past, reminisce and remember. But some can go into hoarding.

• What do you think compels people to build collections?

I feel their collections represent aspects of them, in a way, whether they are organised in such a way. It can show whether they are completists or very passive with their hobby.

• What are your favourite kinds of buttons?

I love unusual ones, oversized ones and bling-y ones. My favourite buttons were from a shirt I had when I was, oh dear, I must have been about 7 or 8 years old. For Christmas I received a cream shirt, a waistcoat and a skirt. I remember the shirt so vividly; it was cream with a checked pattern with circular brass buttons on it. They sparkled in the Christmas tree lights when I unwrapped it and that’s a memory I hold onto even though I haven’t seen the shirt, or its buttons, for over 40 years.

• Do you collect anything?

I collect jewellery, especially rings. I’m like a magpie! I have far too many necklaces to count, and around 12 different 18 to 24 karat gold rings in my collection. I’m very happy with what I have. I like having unusual pieces I can mix and match with an outfit, which are unique and special to me. They are an investment too as I can sell them on in the future if need be. I have rubies, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, square cut, baguette, pears, pearls…

• Do you prefer antique or newer rings? Why?

I prefer older pieces as I like to wonder who wore the item before me; what was their life like, how did their ring end up in the pawnbrokers or cash converters? I once bought a ring from a lady who lives nearby. She advertised her ring on Gumtree because her engagement was called off and she didn’t want her ring anymore. I knew I wanted to have it as I wanted something that was considered a precious item and made someone happy for the short period of time. I want to respect what it meant to that lady.