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After inheriting her grandmother's button collection, Missy Ricketts was inspired to make jewelry, curtain tie-backs and other items with the vintage buttons. Some of the pieces are for sale at Broom Corn Fabrics, where Ricketts works as manager.Photo by Brad Luttrell

Many folks wouldn't know what to do with 2,000 buttons inherited from a grandmother.

But Missy Ricketts, manager of Broom Corn Fabrics, had her own collection of piles of scraps and fabric remnants from her more than 18 years working at the store.

To her, it seemed natural to combine them.

For her mother, she made a bib apron decorated with a fabric flower accented in the center with a button. "It was so cute, I made another with a pin back for me," she said.

In the next few days, she made several of all kinds and brought them to the store to sell. She sold four the first week.

Before long, she was getting special orders. Women wanted tie-back window treatments decorated with button ornaments. Another wanted a vanity table skirt with button flowers.