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BUTTON CLUBS … WHO NEEDS THEM? by Debbie Allnutt
Many years ago when I was editor of the Texas bulletin, way before everything was online, it was common for state editors to send each other a copy of their state’s bulletin. Each bulletin contained the goings on of clubs, wonderful articles, and inspiring ideas. It was impossible to keep all those issues, so I began to cut out articles I wanted to keep and filed them in notebooks. As I sat down to write to you WBA members this month, I realized I had seen before the topic that was on my mind. I dove into those notebooks and sure enough, the topic had been written beautifully. I asked the author for permission to share it with you.
Have you seen this logo on your pressed and dyed corozo (vegetable ivory) buttons? Do you know what comany it represents? We believe one says SE&Co. and the other is R&W.
Send a note on the contact form if you can identify its company! Thanks for your help.
The WBA Team
CARBORUNDUM BUTTONS added to the WBA Encyclopedia
The Carborundum Company was founded in 1891 by Dr. Edward G. Acheson in Monongahela P … These 1.59cm (5/8”) white ceramic buttons were sold originally at the museum. … Carborundum ceramic buttons would be similar to the Diamond-Z zirconia ceramic buttons made later by Coors (see Zirconia buttons). Both materials .. Read more …
Fashion Forward: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Ancient Apparel
Sunday - Monday, July 19th - 20th, 2026
THIS FREE ONLINE CONFERENCE explores the deep-rooted history of fashion, from basic clothing to expressions of community and human creativity via dress and adornment. Read more ....
DISCOVERING THE SOURCE OF A BUTTON — Marcia Raymond
I am new to button collecting and was thrilled to discover information on my pewter covered bridge button in the WBA encyclopedia. I then researched more on line. Read more …
Recording Added July7
WBA RECORDINGS added
Check under the EDUCATION MENU for these new VIDEOS
- BUTTONS IN BLOOM by Joy Journeay
- STEWARDSHIP OF YOUR BUTTONS by Jocelyn Howells
- BUTTONS IN THE HOME with Gina Barrett
- MYTHICAL MAKES with Gina Barrett
- NEEDLES – Their History & Storage with Trudi Jacobson
- BLACK GLASS TILE BUTTONS with Joy Journeay
- TALL TEXAN LAPIDARY BUTTONS with Joy Journeay
MOUNTING SHEETS coming in July
One survey request was that WBA offer mounting sheets for member use in creating button displays. A selection will be added to our EDUCATION menu in July. Also, Gina Barrett adds a new mounting sheet each month on the Creative Expressions page.
If you are willing to share your favorite mounting templates, please contact WBA and we will add them to the group.
New WBA Encyclopedia Entries
CELLULOID SHANKS – Three types of celluloid shanks appear on buttons: the omega, the “U”, and the bubble. Read more …
DEMOULIN BROTHERS & CO. (manufacturer) operated in Greenville IL since 1892. During both World War I and World War II they made uniforms for the US military. Read more …
E N FOOTE & CO. of Northampton MA was founded in 1857 and employed 75 to 120 employees. They were the first Northampton factory to use steam power exclusively, but not the first to make buttons. Read more
The THUNDERBIRD is a mythical being revered in Native American culture for 4000 years. He is believed to be an invisible spirit, flashing his eye to create lightning and beating his wings to make thunder. Read more …
TILE BUTTONS Old glass buttons were molded with depressions on the top of the button which could be decorated with an inset or inlaid single piece of decorative material (like pearl, fabric, metal, colored glass, or another piece of black glass), or with glass frit or powder to be melted at high temperatures into the glass button. These are usually black glass and Read more —
