Posted in Rants, Projects to Make, Shells, Buttons, Storage, Collections |
Buttons, boxes and the marriage of both
January 1st, 2007
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For some time now, I have been collecting “parts” - things that I can use to turn stuff I have and don’t really want into stuff I like and/or need. My “big picture” goal is to keep as much out of landfills as I possibly can. Some of this is because I am concerned about where all of our “unwanted stuff” will go to decompose, and some of this is because I just think we are way too wasteful sometimes. This is just one of my mini rants.
It has become a game with me - to find ways to use things until they are REALLY nothing more than by-products for my compost pile. I haven’t gotten quite there yet but I am heading in that direction.
So, I’ll be looking at “stuff” with an eye for - “what could this become?” What could I built with it? Such was the case with the project below that married buttons and boxes into chic storage. (Click on the pictures, as well as any pictures in this blog, to get a bigger view of these projects.)
This was made with different sizes of white and off white buttons, a glue gun and a wooden box. The box was a quarter at a yard sale and the buttons came from so many sources - they are actually one of the things that I collect. You can take all the buttons off any clothes that end up as cleaning or dust rags. I got bottles, jars and tins full of them at auctions, thrift stores and garage sales. And I have bought old sewing machine cabinets to use as furniture, with the added benefit of all the buttons and notions that are commonly found in the drawers.
Once you have collected all of your supplies, just start gluing. Glue the buttons in random patters, if you want, overlapping them as you go (that’s what I did) or lay them out in a specific shape to match your theme (maybe as flowers or filigree or snowmen). Although I only covered part of my box because the wood-look worked really well where I would be using it, you could completely cover yours. Or cover yours LESS than I covered mine. Whatever works for you.
I am using mine to “store” shells from a very special occasion. They aren’t tucked away in a box or basket - I get to see them all the time. And they way they make me feel when I remember where they came from…. what a lift on even the most difficult day. Now, THAT is something I want AND need!
Your Frugal Decorating Diva,
Nancy
martha pittts on 17 Mar 2007 at 3:36 am: 1
my late mother collected buttons, big, small, shell, baby buttons, and I have at least two gallon jars of these. i am planning on putting these in a glass lamp base, along with sea shells that i have collectd and have been given. i can even remember her having some of these buttons on her clothing that she made.
Daniel on 7 Aug 2007 at 2:22 am: 2
I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100% regarding By Design : Buttons, boxes and the marriage of both, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong
Daniel on 23 Sep 2007 at 2:21 am: 3
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article By Design : Buttons, boxes and the marriage of both, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.