On Monday I found myself at the giant antique mall. I was supposed to be doing some birthday shopping for others but ended up finding a few treasures of my own(doesn't that always happen?). Among my finds were several jars of buttons: two jars were ridiculously cheap and one jar was ridiculously expensive, but it all evened out because contained in those jars were some of the absolute BEST vintage buttons I've yet to find!
Colorful plastic buttons in all sizes and shapes...
These Lucite & glitter buttons were the ones that convinced me to buy the expensive jar--LOVE them! The three black buttons at the left are SO fabulous--they have faceted glass insets and look how huge they are (that's a quarter in the center for scale)! In my imagination, they came off a really amazing 1960s black boucle swing coat.
Huge faux tortoiseshell (again with the quarter for scale) and lots of real shell buttons...
And LOTS of sparklies...
The large jar had quite a few old metal buttons that have become encrusted with green corrosion (rust?), which then rubbed off on all the other buttons. I gave them all a soapy bath and a gentle scrub but the corrosion didn't come off of the metal buttons. Do any of my fellow vintage button lovers out there know if there is any way to get rid of that for good? Some of the buttons are SO neat and I hate to have to throw them away.
The Mister has been making fun of me because every time he's walked into the kitchen since Monday night, he's found me fiddling with my new buttons, arranging them by size and color and type, and just generally fondling them. I can't help it! Could you?
Button addiction is a common problem....I suffer from it as well and could play with buttons forever. I am always amazed at how many different types of buttons were made - thousand and thousand of patterns. Plain and simple fun. Sorry no magic answer for the green corrosion either...
ReplyDeleteI just pared down my button collection. I had jars and jars of nondescript buttons mixed in with some cool old buttons. So, I went through them and culled out the blah ones and only kept the cool vintage ones. I have some sparkly ones like that too - I have used toothpaste and a toothbrush to clean mine. Baking soda might work too.
ReplyDeleteSo far, I had been lucky enough not to have caught the 'Button Bug'... but if I keep reading your blog, I fear it may become contagious!! Your photos are Lovely!!
ReplyDeleteI know. How could you not play with your button collection. They were made to be fiddled with! I love going to the craft stores and just drooling over the button displays, and had a favourite op-shop that sold buttons by the scoop (well, by the soup ladle, actually ;))
ReplyDeleteMaybe Susan Beal (West Coast Crafty is her regular blog, or just google the Button Book Blog) can help with the corrosion problem. I seem to recall there being a section in that button book about caring for your buttons, but I can't be certain.
ReplyDeleteI am guessing you might have to resort to something like CLR but I have no idea if that will ruin the button or not.
These are great. I need to go play with my buttons now.
ReplyDeletei still want to go antiquing with you.....
ReplyDeleteI spent hours layering buttons in a jar by color. So, I fully understand why you would be smitten with your beautiful new finds. The rainbow colored ones had me at hello!
ReplyDeleteDROOL! Love buttons! I just never seem to find any!
ReplyDeleteJust found a tiny stash of buttons myself. I try to be choosey because my collection is so vast, but those big chunky lucite ones get me every time!
ReplyDeleteI saw this and thought of you:
ReplyDeletehttp://blogs.familyeducation.com/parenting/moms/allison-mcdonald/button-bug
Button jars are the best find... I always like imagining what kind of clothing they used to be on. Yesterday I spent over half an hour sifting/digging through bins of vintage buttons at a local flea market, I picked through all the plain buttons to find colourful and rhinestones, my favorite.
ReplyDeleteRe: tarnished buttons---
ReplyDeleteThe green colour indicates copper or brass, which can be cleaned up with a 6 to 1 mix of lemon juice and salt; unless they're really seriously corroded this should work. Be sure to rinse thoroughly; any residue will continue to eat at the metal. Hope this helps.