Hello FEllow Buttoners

Aren't the possibilities of a new year exciting? January is a blank slate just waiting for us to fill it with friendship and laughter and learning. We hope that's what you find every time you join us for an activity.

Now here's an old subject for the new year and one you're probably tired of reading about, but here it is one more time. WBA needs you to volunteer. Yes, we know you're busy. We know you feel you've put in your time volunteering over the years, but we're asking you to step up one more time.
Here are specific areas where we could use your help:

1. Look through your collection. If you've buttons that were made in a specific place like Aritas from Japan or fish scale buttons from Peru, send in a picture and a one ​or two sentence description. Help build the World Button Gallery. Let's see what is now, or has been, made around the world. 
2. Did you visit the encyclopedia looking for something only to find there was no entry for it? Chances are someone else was looking for that topic as well. Do some research and then share that information by submitting it to the encyclopedia.
3. Monthly informational letter. You've seen these in your email. They are not complicated. You don't have to search for the information, it will be given to you. The job entails putting the information into letter form and then emailing it to our membership. Let me know if this is something you will do.

There are many volunteer opportunities with WBA. If you're willing to give some time let me know and together we will find the right place to utilize your talents.

WHAT'S NEW?
Speaking of volunteers, we welcome four this month:

• Judy Olson, Secretary
• Patrice Quinn, Publications Distributer
• Angela Flanagan, Bookkeeper
• Laurie Hanson, Video Editor

Welcome and thanks!


In last month's blog I mentioned that a group for new collectors is beginning in February. If you're just starting to collect or just coming back into the hobby, please attend. Lynn Keller, a collector of 30 years, will be leading the group. Lynn is active in the Connecticut State Button Society as well as a local club. Animals are her absolute favorite, but she's also partial to flowers, livery, and steel buttons. Come meet Lynn and make friends with other new collectors on the fourth Sunday of the month, 7PM ET. We'll begin on February 23rd.


Creative Expressions is hosting Button Games on February 18.
Check out the categories under the Creative tab. The deadline to submit entries is February 5th! While we hope you'll enter a creative category, it's not required for you to come and join the fun. There will be prizes!

Don't forget that WBA is an online club. If you're not visiting the website regularly, you're missing everything-monthly presentations, an extensive book list, articles by our members and a great deal more.

Happy Buttoning,
Debbie
​[email protected]


WEBSITE UPDATES

MEMBER DIRECTORY:  We now have a member directory. You can find it under the "More" tab and then in the "WBA Documets." Some members requested that they not be listed. WBA respects the privacy of member data. We do not use member data for anything other than WBA business.

PROGRAM RECORDINGS:.

1. Yuzan Kiln: Japanese Arita Buttons & Collectibles by Inge Borland 

BUTTON 10S - short 10 minute video posted on the 15th of each month

1. What Makes Color in Glass?

WBA DIGITAL JOURNAL:

1. William Drell "Diamond-D" Button Update by Inge Borland
2. The Legend of Marcus Curtius on Buttons by Joy Journeay
3. Carved Canadian Folk Art on Wood Buttons by Micheline Gravel
4. Les Femmes "Nouveau" Battersea Pewter by Jocelyn Howells

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ENCYCLOPEDIA:

• Altaglass  - check out the Altaglass examples and learn a bit about this Canadian glass company.

MEMBER MARKET:

• Welcome new members Connie Weiser of Ohio, USA and Maureen Needham of the UK. Check out their shops!

MUSEUMS with BUTTONS:

1. Powerhouse Museum in Sydney Australia (Thanks Deb Zinn)

WBA VAULT

1. BUTTON REVIEW:  June 1945, July 1945
2. CREATIVE BUTTON BULLETIN: 1982 complete series
3. WESTERN BUTTON NEWS: Oct - Dec 1967, Jan - March 1968 - completes Volume 1

NEW IN THE VAULT - STUDY SHEETS
More study sheets will be added over the coming months. Members are encouraged to submit new sheets or update the existing sheets if they find new examples.

• BEATRIX POTTER by Sheri Decew
• The following by Joy Journeay
  • Amphibians by Joy Journeay
  • Architecture
  • Ceramics
  • Eighteenth Century
  • Glass in Metal
  • Leaves
  • Ships, Boats, etc
  • Snap Togethers
  • Sports, Game Objects

         

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