So, I guess what I am trying to say is that when you purchase a piece of jewelry in which the button has been harmed, do not be fooled...that antique button has completely lost it's monetary worth. So, what is a jewelry designer to do?
Well, there are several things you can do.
1) First of all, learn about the buttons you are using. Some of them might really have no significant monetary value, while others might be worth more than you know. Click on the image above to take you to the National Button Society website. Here you will find general information on buttons as well as links to other websites that may give you more information. This is a good place to start in researching what your unharmed buttons are worth. If you feel so inclined to join the Society, membership is only $25 a year and that membership pays for 5 bulletins to be delivered to your home which include many articles about buttons.
2) Second, and this one may be difficult and will require a creative mind with lots of failures, but explore new options on how to incorporate the buttons into your jewelry without harming them. It has taken me well over 5 years to perfect this myself. It gets a little frustrating at times, but when you discover a new technique that you figured out all by yourself, the internal reward is priceless!
On the flip side of things, don't discard your broken or damaged buttons. I have a stockpile of buttons where the shank broke or that have other imperfections that greatly reduces the monetary value. This pile has been 10 years in the making! This is where I find my buttons for my button brooches, which are all epoxied together. Most of them are celluloid and glass buttons as shanks on celluloid and glass buttons are notorious for breaking or falling off.
I hope that this little series has helped you to understand why I take the No Harm approach so seriously. My hope is that others will adopt this attitude! Button On!!!!
(the above image is owned by The National Button Society)
