Beautiful buttons! What do you do with them?

I've been asked at least twice in person what I do with all my buttons.  And that makes me believe others wonder, too.

What, exactly, can a person do with a hundred buttons that don't match?  Well...here's a couple of ideas; and I'll add more every few days.  I'm sure if you set your imagination to it, you'll come up with hundreds more. :)

Crazy quilts:  Fantastical art made with bits of silk, velvet and quilter's cottons all stitched to a backing of muslin and covered with embroidery and embellished with buttons, beads, buttons, lace, buttons, bits of rickrack and ribbons.  The finished works are absolutely gorgeous, and can either be displayed as-is or used as the "fabric" for other projects.  Crazy quilts can be cut up and made into handbags, clothing, bedding or whatever else fabric can be used for.

Jewelry: Many buttons are beautiful enough to wear as jewelry.  Just grab a button pin and you have an instant brooch.  Metal ones can often be welded to create barrettes and other jewelry.  The ones without shanks or with removable shanks can be set like cabacons and used just like beads.  Just picture an old cameo button surrounded by a few old brass or gold ones and wired or welded to a barrrette or a pin back, and you get the idea.  Alternatively, simply sew a collection on to something ready-made.  I have a fishing hat with a band I intend to cover with dozens of different buttons. It will be a fun, beautiful thing to wear this summer, and a walking advertisement for my shop. 

Or...just collect them.  Find a few really astounding beauties, pin them to some black velvet and put a wide frame around it -instant shadow box that will stop viewers in their tracks. :)