Like a kid in a candy shop

Friends look at me strangely and wonder what I see in a pile of old buttons.  But there is nothing better than finding a pretty button in amongst a pile of dirty old buttons that someone doesn't want.
Hundreds of old buttons



After soaking and cleaning this was the colour of the water!?

I love Mirror back buttons so these were a great find.  The black glass buttons are perfect too.


I don't know what these are but they look old.  The beads in the middle seem like pearls but I'm not sure.  I just think they're gorgeous.
 
I love this type of button but they are all similar colours.  I need some with reds, and yellows and greens etc for my quilt.




As well, I found quite a few moonglow? buttons which I have cards of, some pretty lucite ones and heaps of old plastic types.  It is such an exciting time cleaning up buttons and seeing what's under the dirt.  I'd say they'd been in someone's cupboard for a very long time. 

I hope you're having a wonderful start to 2012.  Greetings from New Zealand.

Comments

Give me a bag of buttons and I'll be amused for hours!

You have some lovely buttons - especially the mirror backed ones. Enjoy! xx
EllenaElizabeth said…
Gotta love buttons. All mine are sorted and cleaned. They are stored in sealed bottles.... I just love the diversity of buttons especially vintage of course.
Love your post.
There's nothing like purchasing an old jar filled with buttons and treasures hiding amongst them! I practically drool when I find a button that sparkles. They just make me Happy!

Hugs, Sherry
Unknown said…
That is how I feel about a bag of plastic shopping bags. My family and friends when I ooh and oh over a bag of bags. They call me the bag lady. Love all your buttons.
QMM
Laurie said…
You've said it all for us, KayJay! The poking and cleaning is almost as fun as the hunt! I adore those pearly ones, too!
Kathy said…
Nothing beat a poke sack of buttons to treasure hunt your way through! You found some really great ones.
Here's a tip. I use denture cleanser tablets to clean them. Just put a couple tablets in the bottom of a glass then add buttons and enough water to cover them. The effervecent action does a great job cleaning them - especially the glass ones. They come out sparkling.
Happy hunting!
l.wilks11 said…
What a lovely hoard of buttons......xx
Pearl Maple said…
Too true, there is treasure in those piles of buttons!
Congrats to your lucky winners.
Wrote an article recently on the history of buttons and altering buttons, it is under licence for a while, must send you a copy.
Denise said…
Oooo I love your hobby!fantastic.I can also learn a lot from you too.I like help identifying my buttons.Denise
Sarah Sequins said…
Sorting through button piles has become one of my favorite things to do. It's like looking for treasure!

I love the buttons you found -- and you're using some on a quilt??? Super cool. :)
You found some real jewels! Simply lovely! Lucky you! Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
jan b. said…
You might find this website of interest for proper cleaning of collectible buttons.
http://www.buttonsintime.com/howto2.htm
Cindy Adkins said…
Those black and mirror back buttons are soooo pretty! I need more buttons! I really do.
Cindy