Wednesday, November 5, 2014

The Button Motherlode

I heard through the junkvine last week that Nina had some buttons for me so I hit Nina and Joe's in addition to the new The Bins on Saturday.  Boy howdy!  I never thought you would hear me utter these words but I think I might have too many buttons - lol!  I couldn't open that big tin in the back for these sneak-peek pictures because there are some sick and STINKY buttons in there.  They went straight from the tin in to a sink of soapy water.  Luckily only a few had to go to the big button box in the sky.
Some of the tins are (were) really pretty, too, but I made a HUGE mistake and put them in the dishwasher and ruined all but one.  They came out nice and clean with most of the paint gone down the drain.
I have been cleaning and sorting for days and my work table is still covered. Buttons in a fabric softener box are okay in my book.
Lots of carded buttons.  I will keep the ones with pretty cards as they are but I think I will be removing most of them from the plain cards so I can wash them.  They are very dusty.
A lot of the cards are marked with original prices of 7 cents and 10 cents.  Those were the days!

This chocolate tin was the sole survivor from the dishwasher.  BIG lesson learned.
Broke my heart, or at least put a dent in it, when I lost this tin with the pretty flowers.  Black and pink is my favorite color combination.
My favorites will be another post.  I need to get busy listing as soon as I have room on my table to take pictures because the junkvine says Nina already has some more.  If you can't find me, look under the buttons!

19 comments:

The Junque Seeker said...

O.M.G. Not much else to say!

suziqu's thread works said...

What an amazing button haul!
So so sad about the pretty tins!

rush said...

In your first picture, I have that same tin in the bottom left hand corner. Guess what's in it. BUTTONS! It's sad that most of your tins are now plain. Mean dishwasher! Love the haul, though. You are a lucky woman to have Nina and Joe looking out for you!

Beth Leintz said...

Holy Buttonville Batman, you scored! Sorry to hear about the dishwasher incident; at least you have plenty of other buttons to keep you busy.

Jewels said...

Wow Wow Wow - that really is quite the haul...so sorry about the tins - they are often quite as exciting as the buttons (I always look for Made in England tins)...

Tami Hacker said...

Wowza, I'd be doing the Happy Button Dance!

I love buttons on their original cards.

Many buttons cannot be immersed in water due to their material and/or construction.

Please contact me if you are interested in a list on how to clean different materials/types of buttons.

Melissa said...

Awesome score! I always love finding buttons on their original cards!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Kathy, you sure did hit the jackpot on the wonderful buttons and tins, but so sorry about the dishwasher episode. We do live and learn.
I love finding buttons on their original cards too. The prices were amazing.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs

oldgreymareprimitives said...

Holy cow!

laurie -magpie ethel said...

Nina pulled out the tins and let me sift through the buttons. We had a nice little chat while we picked through this lot. I can't believe the tins...aarrggh...I was admiring those tins while playing with the buttons. Put that on YOUR NEVER DO AGAIN list....that dishwasher showed you how clean it could get those tins!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

I'd be in button heaven if I came across a haul like yours. These will keep you busy for days, but so much fun. So sorry to hear about the oops in the dishwasher, but I do thank you for the warning.

Curtains in My Tree said...


Jealous of your new find !!!!!!!!really

And girl what made you put those old vintage tins in the dish washer ???? nothing form the 1940-60 needs to go in a dishwasher, end of lecture

I would leave them on their card the dust will wipe away with a dry cloth, most of the cards are adorable to look at .

Darn I want some new buttons

Annette said...

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen that many buttons in one place! Truly button heaven! I wouldn't have thought twice about putting the tins in the dishwasher. Who would've thought?!

Cheri the Quilting Nanny said...

Enjooy looking at your find! Wish I could find something like this! Amazing and lot of history!

Annette said...

OK, obviously I need to visit Nina on a regular basis and maybe she will hold things aside for me, too. You are one lucky button lady!! Can't wait to see the favorites.

CATHY said...

WOW this was a GREAT score! I love when they are on the pretty cards - esp that one with the little bird. So sad about your tins.... have fun sorting - I look forword to seeing more of what you found.

Laurie said...

Aw, at least it was the tins and not the buttons that went into the dishwasher!! Drooling, swooning, hyperventilating -- take your pick! Button heaven, you lucky girl!!!

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

Wow!! What an awesome button haul! I would be in heaven coming across this many!! SO many pretty ones in there!! :) xo Holly

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

Wow - you have some button collection there - and such nice ones too.

I recently put a vintage sewing machine accessory tin box that said Zig Zag on it, into the dishwasher, and totally ruined it. I wanted to cry.