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Although 22-year-old Aiesha Myles has a twin sister, she’s anything but identical to anyone. In fact, as the older of the siblings, Myles embraces her individuality. Her uniqueness could not be more evident than in her uncommon craftsmanship that began as a way to earn extra cash to offset expenses incurred while attending college.

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Myles makes buttons, but not just any kind of buttons. Her buttons are high fashion, one of a kind and stylish.

“I’m the type of person who doesn’t like throwing things away that I know that I can salvage and create for something else,” shared the junior University of Maryland Eastern Shore mass communications major. “I don’t like keeping junk, but I don’t like throwing away creative things.”

What others may view as a simple campaign button, Myles, who is a licensed nailed technician, sees it as a canvas to create art. “Deeply Rooted”, the name of her fashion button company, was created in Myles’ dorm room.

“I was in my dorm room one day bored and I had all this nail paint lying around and I had a button. I thought ‘I wonder what this would look like’ and then I just started creating on the button. When I wore it, everybody was asking where I got it from, and that’s when it really started.”

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Myles’ buttons are just as rare she is and her fashion forward clients appreciate the fact that no two buttons are the same. Each has an individual flare. Some are embellished with rhinestones, glitter, feathers and appliqué, while others have quirky drawings and animations or represent various fraternities and sororities.

Myles creates high fashion buttons to help offset expenses while attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

It didn’t take long before the buttons became a hit on the campus of University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  Initially, Myles had difficulty charging for the fashion accessories.

“I didn’t like putting a price on it or asking for money, but I had to step back and accept that I’m in college and this is my time, effort and creativity,” Myles admitted.  “If somebody is willing to support you, they are willing to pay you for it. I have no problem with that now.”

Button sales have been good for Myles; helping to cover the expense of books required for class, groceries and other expenditures associated with being a college student. Depending on the size and creativity of the button, prices range between $5 and $10.

“When you’re in college every penny helps,” Myles said.

While creating the buttons are therapeutic and financially beneficial for Myles, she does understand the business aspect of it and is working to take her company to the next level.

“There a few things that I have to take care of concerning patenting the buttons, after that I will be ready to launch my website and sell the buttons online,” Myles shared.

Until then, Myles said that individuals interested in purchasing buttons can contact her at 240-533-6833, aieshamyles@yahoo.com or via her Facebook page www.facebook.com/aieshakmyles.

Written by Shameka L. Reed