Thank you to everyone who gave suggestions for storing buttons when I posted about them a few weeks ago: Thrifted Buttons. A few years ago I reorganized my mom's stash of buttons into two inexpensive plastic bead organizers (each one around the size of a sheet of notebook paper). This worked remarkably well, and has made it much easier to sort the buttons. But I wanted something with a little more character for my button collection. Last Saturday I found the solution: a box of twelve thrifted jelly and Mason jars for $2! Some of the quilted jelly jars are extra-tall, perfect for storing buttons.
I attached creamy cardstock labels on the side and top of each jar, making identification easy:
I divided the buttons into four categories: White, Metal, Pearl, and Various (which I chose because it was easier to put on the label than "Miscellaneous!").
While the author of the Copperplate Calligraphy book I consulted (for the capital letters) would probably experience heart failure if he saw my attempts (not even the proper nib! Tsk, tsk!), my labels fulfilled my desire of a little old-fashioned flair.
I didn't want to have to search through every button I own to find a matching set, so I threaded each set onto a double-strand of sewing thread and tied them up in a little bunch. Now I can spill out the contents of whichever jar I need when I'm looking for buttons and go through them. A kind of disorganized organization! They are now happily sitting on my machine cabinet, fulfilling both utilitarian and decorative purposes. So thank you for giving me the inspiration I needed to store my buttons!
I love it! They are so lovely and vintagey! Just the inspiration I need to go sort through my buttons:-)
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sommer
What a neat idea! I may have to steal it sometime, as all my thifted buttons are held in a platic bag!
ReplyDeleteOooh, those are so pretty!! :) And that idea to string matching buttons together is simply genius!! I'm going to have to steal that one for my own sewing room I think. ;-D (and I think you did a smashing job on the labels...how did you attach them to the jar?)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the idea may prove useful! Tilly, I attached the labels with a clear scrapbooking glue pen (it has a spong on one end), but I think any clear-drying glue would work.
ReplyDeleteTo string my buttons together, I used the ugliest shade of chartreuse thread I could find (Army drab is actually the name). I just couldn't stand the idea of using perfectly good thread ;)
Yours in Christ,
Shannon
They look so cute!
ReplyDelete