Karen Smock
About
I was raised in an environment steeped in textile arts, guided and inspired by my mother and both of my grandmothers, all of whom were exceptionally skilled fiber artists. I began studying bobbin lace in 2010 after encountering it at a historical reenactment, and around the same time I started creating handmade buttons while producing period clothing for family and friends. My work now centers on historical textile practices, and I am committed to preserving these heritage crafts by sharing both technique and context with others. Each summer, I participate in French and Indian War reenactments, where I teach the history of lace, button-making, and a broad range of traditional textile arts.
Teaching Style
I teach through demonstrations and assisting students with hands-on activities.
Curriculum
I provide instruction through a combination of demonstrations and hands‑on, experiential activities.
I am currently working on an English translation of Posamentenknopf by Monika Hoede, and will keep you posted on its availability. This text is a great instruction manual for a wide variety of historical thread buttons.
Credentials & Affiliations
I have been teaching in various capacities for more than forty years, and I draw on that extensive experience to provide effective, well‑informed instruction in button making. I have been creating handmade buttons for more than a decade, and I take great satisfaction in sharing my enthusiasm for the craft with others. My work places particular emphasis on the historical context of button making, and I am dedicated to preserving traditional techniques so they remain accessible to future generations. I currently teach online through the Lace Museum in Fremont, California, and will be starting with the John C Campbell Folk School, both online and in person, in March 2026. I also teach buttonmaking at a wide variety of local organizations including fiber arts guilds, historical societies and the Erie County Public Libraries in Erie, PA.
As a fiber artist and button maker, I am a member of the following organizations: The National Button Society (USA), The Pennsylvania Button Society, The New York Button Society, The World Button Society, The International Organization of Lace, Inc., The Western New York Lace Guild, The Northwest PA Spinners and Weaver's Guild, the Lake Erie Fiber Arts Guild.
As a historian, I am a member of Compagnie LeBoeuf, the Fort LeBoeuf Historical Society, and I regularly support programming at a wide variety of historical sites in PA, Ohio and New York.
I regularly collaborate with button experts from around the world, including Gina Barrett, Anna McDowell, Monika Hoede, Sabine Krump and Minako Ono. We are all working together to preserve textile button making.