MODERN BUTTONS

These new buttons are all plastic and purple in colour. I love the colour purple so these buttons took my eye. I still occasionally go to the Haberdashery stores and check out their range of buttons. I don’t think so many people buy buttons these days so they don’t vary very often. They are actually quite dear now.

SHELL BUTTONS

These two shell buttons are new and have had dye splashed on them and have a high gloss finish. They are very colourful and eye catching. You can see the outside of the shell on the back of the button.

METAL BUTTONS

Here are two hand made silver buttons made by my friend Di. Her initials are on the back. She was just new to working with silver and had fun making them. She gave them to me as a Xmas present and I was pleased to get them.

PLASTIC BUTTONS

Here are three modern metalized plastic buttons with “Pearl” centres. The borders on each one is different and effective it it’s own way. I have many of these type of buttons as they were readily available in the opp shops a few years ago. Some are shiny gold, some silver and with different coloured centres in them.

FABRIC BUTTONS

Here are some fabric covered buttons including a buckle and also showing some of the different types of backs used. You could buy the kits to make up your buttons from the left over material from making a dress as many ladies did back in the 1940s to 1960s. I find it interesting to compare the fabrics back then to what is available in the shops at present. Now the patterns are more bold and the colours much brighter.

FABRIC BUTTONS

These two modern Dorset buttons were a gift from a friend who made them. I have tried but could not get them neat enough. I admire the old Dorset buttons made in England and apparently it was quite a Cottage Industry. These two are just a bit of fun.

BEADED BUTTON

This bright beaded button was made by Helen Pappas who I think now lives in Benalla, Victoria. I like orange and the button caught my eye. She has used complimentary colours which stand out nicely. It is a simple design but quite effective.

BUTTON COVERS

Here are two sets of Button Covers on their original cards. They were made to “dress up” buttons on an outfit. I got these at the local Hospice Opp Shop. I wish they would not write in texta on the front of button cards as it spoils them. These two sets are quite different as one has coloured “stones” and the other “pearls” Of course they are all plastic.

VEGETABLE IVORY BUTTONS

Here is just a group of common vegetable ivory buttons. Their earthy tones are none the less pleasing. They shine up well and are very tactile. A couple still have the skin or bark on them. They can be dyed, carved and painted and I have some of these in my collection.

METAL BUTTONS

These metal picture buttons show a scene from The Mikado with the figures under a sunshade and a couple bowing down before them. I do not know their age but I guess they are not really old like from the early 1900s as many picture buttons are.