Buttons, Toggles and Frogs -Part Two

Buttons - Part Two

OK!!   More buttons

For collectors who wish to begin a collection, there are lots of buttons to be had.  Frequently, old metal tins (probably used for sewing boxes) chock full of buttons can be found in thrift shops, at flea markets or yard sales.  The majority of the contents are ordinary buttons that have been snipped from clothing prior to being discarded.  This is not a huge investment, however, and worth a purchase.  Many times there are unique examples or, most likely, just cute buttons to add to a craft project. 

Many time you can find buttons still attached to their display cards.  Keep these cards, as they offer valuable information about the manufacturer.  Obviously these buttons were, at some time, sewn on this card, which is labeled "Styled Dress Buckle"

When I travel I usually look for handcrafted buttons in fabric shops or shops selling trims and passementeries. Easy to pack and lightweight, they are useful souvenirs, I do not need any more tee shirts!!

These handcrafted buttons are made of ceramic, clay and inlaid metal

The Island Craft LTD. buttons on the lower left are made of coconut and are from the Cook Islands.Coconut shell buttons are sometimes found in fanciful shapes and were made strictly for the tourist trade in tropical locations. Similar-looking buttons are now mostly made from plastic or wood.

As your collection grows, and it will, believe me, there are many references available on button identification as well as groups of collectors willing to share button news.

      Button Button Identification and Price Guide, Peggy Ann                               Osborne,Schiffer Publishing LTD, PA, 1993

For those who wish to use decorative buttons in textile arts or to adorn a hand-knit sweater, modern buttons in every size, shape, color and material are available. 

Holiday themed ceramic buttons from A Homespun Heart, Iowa City, Iowa and The Button collection, Mill Hill, Janesville, WI

These embroidered, velvet covered buttons were made in Eastern Europe in the 1980's

For needle art enthusiasts you can make your own fabric-covered, embroidered or crochet buttons

50 Heirloom Buttons to Make, Nancy Nehring, Tauton Press Inc.                                        Newtown CT. 1996

I made the turquoise button in the center. The other buttons are vintage.

Patterns and designs for needle craft buttons.
Artful-Offerings, Designs by Karina Hittle, www.Artful-Offerings.com

Two bits of trivia!

Not all buttons have two holes!   One-holed buttons are called "whistles".  These are wooden.

Did you know that there is a button phobia?  Called Koumpounophobia, it is the irrational  and persistent fear of buttons ( single buttons or those on clothing).  The word is derived from Latin “Koumpouno” which means buttons ( or probably some type of disc fasteners or embellishments) and Greek “phobos” which, of course, means fear.  A related condition is Trypophobia, which is the fear of round or circular objects or the fear of holes.  According to the internet, nearly 1 in 75,000 people are known to experience Koumpounophobia and tend to avoid clothing with buttons.