Creative Uniques, Inc. | Porcelain and Stoneware Buttons, Pins, and Earrings, and Applique and Collar Patterns

Creative Uniques began as a home based business in 1987, when the Mother/Daughter team, Carole Mason and Jeanna Shields, designed the company's first applique pattern, "Country Critters".

We had been designing and appliqueing shirts for quite some time with much interest from other sewing enthusiasts as to where we obtained our patterns. Because our designs were so unique with the buttons being used as embellishments, and because good applique patterns were so hard to find, there were many requests for such a product from those that enjoyed appliqueing themselves. Shortly after, the "design pencil" went into motion, and "Country Critters" was "born", with many more unique, fun patterns to follow in the future. At this time, the only porcelain goods we produced were buttons to complete our pattern designs. However, this would soon change, and at the request of our customers, we began producing many more button designs along with coordinating earrings and pins to complete the look of an outfit. Later that year, a small building was constructed for production at one of our homes.

In 1989, a small house was purchased and remodeled to meet our production and shipping needs. There was even a small showroom for our customers to see our products on display. The adorable little cottage provided us with lots of good times, many laughs (when we wonder how we ever survived in such a tiny place!) and many wonderful memories.

In 1992, a new shop was constructed at our same location and upon its completion, our previous shop was torn down. Our new "Button Barn" (literally!!) consolidated our shop, showroom, designing, manufacturing, warehousing, and shipping facilities. In our showroom we expanded to carry a large assortment of top quality cotton fabrics, especially those used on our patterns. If you were ever in our shop, we're sure you found the walls of our showroom mind boggling and as you began looking you found there was no end........a model of each of our 230 applique designs hung on the walls!!!

In 2002, we decided to become strictly a mail order business and sold our retail shop. With that positive change, as we continue to grow and change with the industries needs, we are still, after all these years, extremely committed to providing the very best personal customer service possible and to producing products that are of the highest quality and are truly unique to their type. Each of our patterns are still very original and hand drawn and all our buttons, earrings, and pins are still completely handmade and hand painted right here in Linton, Indiana. To this day, we are still very family oriented. As from the beginning, three generations, daughter (Jeanna), mother (Carole), and grandmother (Irene) are still involved with every aspect of the business. We also extend our greatest appreciation to the absolutely wonderful staff we have had over the years that has worked so hard to give you those beautiful products. To our whole "Creative Crew".....you're the greatest!

As we reflect over the past 17 years, the thoughts of our beginning are as clear as if it were yesterday to each of us. With each of us having our own vivid memories of these past years, the common denominator seems to be the heartfelt gratitude to all of you for allowing us to continue doing what we so love to do........to share our version of this wonderful, creative industry with you. The decision to share our designs with all of you has opened so many doors for us. Our memories are a constant reminder of just how blessed we have been to have worked so closely with family and friends and to have met so many wonderful people along the way. We will always cherish this very important time in our lives and all of you that have made our dream possible.

After all this time, the direct contact we have with our customers is still the most important part of our business to us. We anxiously await each of you dropping us a line by email, fax, or mail, or giving us a call to let us know what you think of our new web site, patterns, buttons, and jewelry. Listening to your constructive comments over the years has led to many improvements in our systems and products. We certainly look forward to hearing from each of you, as, don't forget, even after all this time, every letter and email is still read and every phone call is still taken personally!

Happy Stitch'n!
Jeanna & Carole