Many years ago, non-knitter Chancellor Shannon was making a trip to the Canadian Maritimes (which includes Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland/Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia). She asked what I would want brought back as a present. I said I had no clue, please don't bother thinking about me while on your trip, and to wing it.

On Shannon's return, to quote Lucy Maud Montgomery (author of Anne of Green Gables, among many other Canadian treasures), she hit the middle wicket with her first ball. She had visited the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and came back with six artisanal buttons.

Buttons are a perfect present for a knitter or crocheter. They're typically very small, don't usually cost a vast deal,weigh almost nothing, and pack almost invisibly. And if you get them from a local artist, you're supporting them and providing the knitter/crocheter with something utterly exotic, unique, and useful.

I have bought at least three lots of yarn to match Shannon's buttons. I have a tremendous time planning projects around them. As we enter the vacation season, I just wanted to remind everyone that locally-produced buttons are a terrific souvenir.