Vintage Button Jewelry

All about vintage vintage button jewelry

Button Facts:

The vintage buttons used to make my designs range from 50 to 100 years old. Some may be older. Take a close look at the vintage buttons used. The artistry in some is, without question, unsurpassed by today's' standards. Some are elegant, some are funky, but all vintage buttons are remarkable by nature of their design.

Vintage buttons are categorized in many different ways. For instance they may be classified by the type of shank, or way that the vintage button is affixed. It can be a self shank, (part of the button ) a separate glass shank which is glued in place, a loop shank, high sharp glazed shank, or the vintage button can have sew through holes. Sometimes the kind of shank gives us a clue as to how old the vintage buttons are. Below is a list of some of the types of vintage buttons available .
Old=pre 1918
Modern=after 1918

MODERN GLASS Vintage Buttons
This term refers to all glass vintage buttons made after 1918. Glass factories were in Europe and glass buttons were exported to the US. By the mid 1960’s, few were still producing them. Due to the expense of glass button production and the influx of plastic, glass button production soon came to an end! The brighter the color of glass vintage button, the newer it was.(1930’s-1960’s) Muted colors came first.

VICTORIAN METAL Vintage Buttons
These buttons are among the oldest, with some pewter, brass, silver (including steel, tin and other alloys), and copper buttons dating as far back as the 1700's. By the 1800's brass button production outstripped the rest . More brass buttons survived the years, as brass does not rust or oxidize as other metals do. Metal 'picture' buttons are extremely ornate and artistic. Scenes from operas, children's' stories, architecture, flowers and wildlife are common themes.

MOTHER OF PEARL Vintage Buttons
Mother of Pearl and other shell buttons come from deep sea as well as freshwater shells. Once the button is cut from the shell, it is difficult to tell the type of shell from which the button was made. Deep sea shells tend to be more brilliant, and dull less quickly. Many freshwater shells used for buttons (plain shirt buttons mainly) came from U.S. rivers and were made here. Deep sea shells (best for carved designs on buttons) were often from more tropical locales and Europe. Shells have been used for button making for 300 years.

PLASTIC Vintage Buttons
These vintage buttons can be grouped into two classifications, thermo plastics (casein, celluloid, and Lucite) and thermo-set plastics (Bakelite and Catalin) Thermo-plastics can be heated and softened over and over again to a workable state. Thermoset plastics once molded cannot be softened by heat.

CERAMIC Vintage Buttons
China vintage buttons were manufactured as early as 1840 in England, France and the US. Porceline from Japan are from the 1950’s.

PICTURE Vintage Buttons
These came into the scene in the 1860’s, and by the 1870’s were the height of fashion. This continued until 1915. These vintage buttons mirrored popular plays, fashion trends, events and the culture of the day Also, animals, insects and birds. They came in brass, silvered brass, or tinted brass, and came in one, two and three piece contruction.

MATERIAL MOUNTED IN METAL Vintage Buttons
You will find many materials mounted into metal buttons. Jewels, stones, glass lithographs, wood, and enamels are all mounted in metal settings.

GOOFIES OR REALISTIC Vintage Buttons
Goofies are another name for buttons that are fun-loving. They all have their own personality and charm. They are in the shape of what it is they are depicting. These were popular in the 30’s thru early 50’s.