tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14252402410179819412023-11-16T08:00:45.597+01:00Agnes' Vintage WorldEverything about buttonsAgneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-65529811800214867482021-09-18T17:05:00.001+02:002021-09-18T19:59:05.949+02:00Vintage bucklesYou know that I'm into buckles as much as buttons. Nowadays they do not cause such a sensation as before. And no wonder. In the past they were so elaborate, so big, so colourful that you could not ignore them. Now buckles seem to have to blend with the rest of the outfit rather than stand out. That's why I absolutely love vintage buckles!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTn03-qsj7vAdq-ZqDwzEm-oqP0IZe6YYbu785FoUEecmOXOUA1yJFNE75E9YsnVJAb8wA_KqEet4EgPHu2paL1ZVtBPFfKM1q0E9jrwrwOcKWUJ287n0SdX6YX13JjkjDgk89D1rQ9hH/s1600/Buckles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vintage belt buckles" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTn03-qsj7vAdq-ZqDwzEm-oqP0IZe6YYbu785FoUEecmOXOUA1yJFNE75E9YsnVJAb8wA_KqEet4EgPHu2paL1ZVtBPFfKM1q0E9jrwrwOcKWUJ287n0SdX6YX13JjkjDgk89D1rQ9hH/w640-h640/Buckles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the twentieth century, thanks to the invention of plastic, their production soared. The earliest buckles were made of metal and enamel, with cut steel details and occasional rhinestone. Or pressed brass, with embossed art nouveau style. Mother of pearl buckles were not uncommon too. Not that decorative perhaps, but without plastic people had to be creative.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVN9DDkh6UVVSt7BWVNITkulIiO-NzjfEfZ0EnG8mpzcWmf5jHwhJ7KdahzvKExwB9nq55sAbL2pKLSFSA31lirB9zCGCsxoE-5Ck01ntDsZYT05GL2zuWvMxoeOOmorYXTUwMJ5KZ3eO/s1600/1920s+belt+section+enamel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="antique black buckle with rhinestones" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVN9DDkh6UVVSt7BWVNITkulIiO-NzjfEfZ0EnG8mpzcWmf5jHwhJ7KdahzvKExwB9nq55sAbL2pKLSFSA31lirB9zCGCsxoE-5Ck01ntDsZYT05GL2zuWvMxoeOOmorYXTUwMJ5KZ3eO/w400-h300/1920s+belt+section+enamel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJEQnFvybupkhxRTeuoyPRKyKLOSexzHuP_G3pPFUXZsNW_2XiCBTuvvxKc_aoX9u5RMNfq5qodjaQccJE8BHShuktPtRqW6aT-Yw1nYdGbsMYp5IELzZcwKtCUteQ4KhJF9IC5kwStbz/s1600/wider.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ornate trouser buckle" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJEQnFvybupkhxRTeuoyPRKyKLOSexzHuP_G3pPFUXZsNW_2XiCBTuvvxKc_aoX9u5RMNfq5qodjaQccJE8BHShuktPtRqW6aT-Yw1nYdGbsMYp5IELzZcwKtCUteQ4KhJF9IC5kwStbz/w200-h150/wider.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OSwVfHMd8NOWXRIfpE7sMFYt1PTWxnBnazHSERw4MjKXlqHyLUvS_IIRmASN31zSOo2bu6VM1RFi9tjvTZqtBELUf6l4PfVsTZz4Qij-yZlYEpmJCLrqEM2SYEepF9vUUiwGvulX5A2i/s2048/01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ornate art nouveau buckle" border="0" data-original-height="1883" data-original-width="2048" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OSwVfHMd8NOWXRIfpE7sMFYt1PTWxnBnazHSERw4MjKXlqHyLUvS_IIRmASN31zSOo2bu6VM1RFi9tjvTZqtBELUf6l4PfVsTZz4Qij-yZlYEpmJCLrqEM2SYEepF9vUUiwGvulX5A2i/w320-h294/01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz45pIDlOo-065ndRcyekJvs4OCUbq9rhpI_9x5ncXyHqcS3Yh7WGIVtnFtgyQLG8k7ek5h4uP2Ix1yMPBIcJbLC2ktY97QX2OEHg7CKAo944kBAN7DChsHfHmoxOP8XRAuuByX6HIVQVP/s1600/main+43+mm+tall+1+11szesnastych.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="buckle made of shell" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz45pIDlOo-065ndRcyekJvs4OCUbq9rhpI_9x5ncXyHqcS3Yh7WGIVtnFtgyQLG8k7ek5h4uP2Ix1yMPBIcJbLC2ktY97QX2OEHg7CKAo944kBAN7DChsHfHmoxOP8XRAuuByX6HIVQVP/w320-h240/main+43+mm+tall+1+11szesnastych.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The second picture is actually a trouser buckle, used to adjust waistbands and waistcoats. They have double prong and a 'fishtail' on the opposite side. <div><br /></div><div>In the roaring twenties many belts were worn not at the waist, but lower, perhaps around the hips, and also on the hats.<div><br /></div><div>I also have a vast selection of buckles that pre-date the 1920s, meant for the half-open jackets and coats, whose lapels were joined by ornamental, dainty pieces, often with dangling chains and other pieces. You will see similar buckles a lot in the TV show <i><a href="https://www.netflix.com/watch/70159618" target="_blank">Downton Abbey</a></i>. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-YVYMXlugJokn0c_l1XVgWIjtKck87zdWfp3GXlFubdy8EeufyZQXDmqhhprv6ZaaNRmd55mKJqi10EvHbaEeE81clDMnqapQi5AKvHiN_EDxS0vYJhVvuDFYle7caZKYYimUxUpFv7q/s2048/various.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="a collection of vintage filigree buckles" border="0" data-original-height="1737" data-original-width="2048" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-YVYMXlugJokn0c_l1XVgWIjtKck87zdWfp3GXlFubdy8EeufyZQXDmqhhprv6ZaaNRmd55mKJqi10EvHbaEeE81clDMnqapQi5AKvHiN_EDxS0vYJhVvuDFYle7caZKYYimUxUpFv7q/w640-h542/various.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is just a sample, and they are all still placed on their original cards! Many have filigree details. You will find them in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesVintageButtons?section_id=32023656" target="_blank">the clasp buckles section</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">💢</div>
<br />The decade of 1930s saw a real boom in button and buckle productions, for two reasons. One was the already mentioned plastic, in form of casein and Bakelite that became more widely available. The other one, a bit unlikely, was the global crisis of the 1929, which affected not only the USA but Europe as well, to much extend. How would that influence the buckle production? Well, impoverished families were looking into ways of improving the monthly budget and many would manufacture them at home. That's why they are so unique and there are so many styles.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/587492666/vintage-bakelite-buckle-two-piece-buckle?ref=shop_home_active_38&pro=1&frs=1" target="_blank"><img alt="Bakelite buckles" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnud1Qb0D2OMHCvxb70vr2PB8gsGD6eyNOcdPdsoA6jc-9GpRKmEt4AOpMOnBr8h-ONVvcsCdFG298CxpO6x2bvslJV-gWuDAwpkLEWdAL0t7QNfPiZLlMQUDO9pxZtCnU0VtIMEAwDzV/w640-h480/all+the+options.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Metal pieces, such as hooks or bars were virtually screwed to the Bakelite buckles, but also Casein. One reason for that is that they were made of large sheets of plastic, from which individual pieces were cut out, shaped, decorated and they fitted the closures. The same goes for tongue buckle, which would have metal prongs or a matching plastic one, made of the same sheet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSD2DLrcYHj7FGdp3ADdpyOc29lldd8G_x2H8ZQJ0Jo_yYjYlsfnqgtcFWX3S9dQBPl6lmfq_15ZJttyiYeueAW5P-ZdbBrv00kqMsnKmQDb4FlmfjWILZsgAcjh9PQfGtic4_g0bEtRu/s1600/main+pic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vintage two-layer buckle with price tag" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSD2DLrcYHj7FGdp3ADdpyOc29lldd8G_x2H8ZQJ0Jo_yYjYlsfnqgtcFWX3S9dQBPl6lmfq_15ZJttyiYeueAW5P-ZdbBrv00kqMsnKmQDb4FlmfjWILZsgAcjh9PQfGtic4_g0bEtRu/w400-h300/main+pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Layered sheets were common, as were inlays and buckles made of different pieces, like the one I used for the Bakelite test <a href="https://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com/2017/02/how-to-identify-bakelite.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Another type of buckle from this time is celluloid on tin, made of printed celluloid sheets placed on metal base. There were buttons made in a matching style too. These are, however, much less durable than solid celluloid or lucite buckles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc7Y7fTJUgz2oRdOwsVK7QvJCNG41B9HiEW1pghaZuMJ6PqUnbaaLUoEXixjMBmrhwoPCD11k0Mh4MTfRy3G_iJ-mXtN363LQpD0eG5W6pfgWcmxQj5ULiFRzgWETxd1UwvCaDe1I9Ez5/s1600/OK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="green buckle" border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc7Y7fTJUgz2oRdOwsVK7QvJCNG41B9HiEW1pghaZuMJ6PqUnbaaLUoEXixjMBmrhwoPCD11k0Mh4MTfRy3G_iJ-mXtN363LQpD0eG5W6pfgWcmxQj5ULiFRzgWETxd1UwvCaDe1I9Ez5/w320-h287/OK.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHCecafYhBCzCEBdzfB_GlEZXeu7DSvFNyfYrQvp6f9xRkNjppcKTpSigeg6VaQr8nrRpS5YtiDfB9H4JZz0JUeEoGTe6Fslt49hT9OTPaxGMJCgdPbHnaDetzsXb73sDIms6cHEQITWf/s1600/buckle+back.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Recycled buckle" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHCecafYhBCzCEBdzfB_GlEZXeu7DSvFNyfYrQvp6f9xRkNjppcKTpSigeg6VaQr8nrRpS5YtiDfB9H4JZz0JUeEoGTe6Fslt49hT9OTPaxGMJCgdPbHnaDetzsXb73sDIms6cHEQITWf/w320-h240/buckle+back.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back side of this buckle must have been <br />recycled from some food packaging</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/560605571/vintage-clasp-buckle-antique-belt-buckle" target="_blank"><img alt="double buckle" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7-Z1QIjBDdX42lB3jJwjPEhNvlQ0cAZb9yMYmHjy_DdupFRFDKHOvjvXxCou3QW2hnltIfC8CZi1gPHR2HpK-ocwKIW_pUs8RTHNFL393gf58V0YXTzOfN09jQijG_umWYkqDfQb-d4c/w320-h240/open.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The second photo here is of the back of the buckle. It seems that the metal pieces is recycled from a tin packaging or something. As you can see, all of them feature beautiful art deco designs.<br />
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The next decade, 1940s did not bring much novelty. Only that the designs were perhaps more sober, until the WW2 was well over. Metal, so demanded in the war, was replaced by wood for fabric-covered buckles, but the styles remained very decorative. If plastic was used, it was either recycled or a very thin layer was destined for buckle-making.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfZtJz5Unuf25W4F1LA_-CNsCxwF6EGIq7IWOdCPkR_bV8i7M9j208-QtZR-xFJSGH3dEU6vZNG7WZhkt2b-YDSZ2QNOlOcF4wOsJtFZqlLJ47TmCq3hAGKNscNWlNfXVQfhV0a8XXn8p/s2048/wooden+buckles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="wooden buckle blanks" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfZtJz5Unuf25W4F1LA_-CNsCxwF6EGIq7IWOdCPkR_bV8i7M9j208-QtZR-xFJSGH3dEU6vZNG7WZhkt2b-YDSZ2QNOlOcF4wOsJtFZqlLJ47TmCq3hAGKNscNWlNfXVQfhV0a8XXn8p/w640-h480/wooden+buckles.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A collection of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/957073847/vintage-belt-buckle-to-cover-in-fabric" target="_blank">wooden buckle blanks</a>. You will still find some of these styles in my shop!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">💢</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>1950s brought many new styles in the world of buckles. Women liked to show off their narrow waists again, and lots of times using statement buckles. They were again made of plastic or metal covered in fabric, matching or contrasting. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMOocZNkZZe7iGADfb1kmplOSb4kHTamk655GzUHDRPYiGeXe0cmgUNw9k8cUNTP9_q8Gp71oR1DgRAZk90E08_WCZaouhtzwodcS9CcFSFeNVAfs6gZM44En2QU_GS3yoclP_7J7k8Fr/s2048/buckles+clock.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="collection of buckles in different colours" border="0" data-original-height="1895" data-original-width="2048" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMOocZNkZZe7iGADfb1kmplOSb4kHTamk655GzUHDRPYiGeXe0cmgUNw9k8cUNTP9_q8Gp71oR1DgRAZk90E08_WCZaouhtzwodcS9CcFSFeNVAfs6gZM44En2QU_GS3yoclP_7J7k8Fr/w640-h592/buckles+clock.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">💢</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>In the 1960s buckles were sidelined by more modern designs, especially the minimalist lines that the dresses were increasingly made in. However, some buckles were still used, but more geometric: round, rectangular, etc. They were plastic mostly, possibly <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/668418571/round-belt-buckle-with-stars-and-stripes" target="_blank">covered in print</a> and sometimes crazy colours!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKkRHUnPvOq3KQG7nOl6hyphenhyphenS31MYs2E3BJyRFUp8pUKVnUXkjpIoNU3Zi8bS0m-L2PXLisp7XHSOqemkkeSXiIiliAMVMGJbMqiu041hlyAGUHGokJccWfUsPnFwd_oIt9ubzhEkYeD7ri/s2048/red+buckles+many.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="red belt buckles" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKkRHUnPvOq3KQG7nOl6hyphenhyphenS31MYs2E3BJyRFUp8pUKVnUXkjpIoNU3Zi8bS0m-L2PXLisp7XHSOqemkkeSXiIiliAMVMGJbMqiu041hlyAGUHGokJccWfUsPnFwd_oIt9ubzhEkYeD7ri/w240-h320/red+buckles+many.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI8P_LbkOoKwhClBvpf-QGwfRy0H6WBIsuIaVNaIzjYnNu3KMsRLVwvin0U4_YvqopD74bvqon38EbcYaNLCprwWjFoaidUfnibJe-a9Tnzv0OQsJIh92LNHEQ-YkX6dshLc7nvWCRiRk/s2048/yellow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="yellow buckles" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI8P_LbkOoKwhClBvpf-QGwfRy0H6WBIsuIaVNaIzjYnNu3KMsRLVwvin0U4_YvqopD74bvqon38EbcYaNLCprwWjFoaidUfnibJe-a9Tnzv0OQsJIh92LNHEQ-YkX6dshLc7nvWCRiRk/w230-h320/yellow.jpg" width="230" /></a></div></div><br /><div>Some of the presented here buckles are from later decades, with nylon pieces among them, too. The prongs are increasingly made of materials that can stand machine washing, but some may rust in the process, so it is best not to wash the buckles at all. They may be prone to breaking during spinning or tumble-drying. I usually remove the whole belt before I put the dress in the washing machine just to make sure. If necessary, I resort to hand-washing. </div></div>Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-18918239092913179112019-10-17T13:13:00.001+02:002019-10-18T10:17:12.077+02:00How to choose the right buttons for your garmentAlthough this may sound rather straightforward to some, choosing what button to use with your garment may be a difficult decision. Whether you are swapping them on a purchased garment, or one you are making yourself, there are a few things you should bear in mind. Especially, if, like me, you love vintage buttons and wish to use some of those (like from your granny's box).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilf8g3rdl_pg_q5KNj83As9doDR7VvfrFkMP_T0wcOa29wRy_1aX_197QM-ZoF7Q9g0mG4ylOBC5fhF733tkFrUMBvAlQCpaEIqILRVn6RQ9jX8qSX8sGYoKE4yqbeigSPCh0zn7qmvgNV/s1600/51924726_426823898053965_2019412838101069100_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilf8g3rdl_pg_q5KNj83As9doDR7VvfrFkMP_T0wcOa29wRy_1aX_197QM-ZoF7Q9g0mG4ylOBC5fhF733tkFrUMBvAlQCpaEIqILRVn6RQ9jX8qSX8sGYoKE4yqbeigSPCh0zn7qmvgNV/s400/51924726_426823898053965_2019412838101069100_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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To start with, it is important to remember, that the size of the button counts in its diameter, as well as it <b>thickness</b>. Then, there are flat, or sew-through buttons and buttons with shanks. The latter can be very beautiful, but cannot be machine-sewn. Obviously, there are lots of different materials to choose from, and finally, the finish, as some buttons may have rough surface and turn out unsuitable for certain fabrics.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>First of all we need to determine the purpose of the buttons on our garments. Are they going to serve as fastening, or will they be purely ornamental? Or, you may consider concealed buttons, for a change.<br />
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Blouse and shirt buttons</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryyFAlbrevT7eOLxAKnSU9bmq0-ZGFfk8Tw34RSH9-qLOiXELwZ3Jj4_d0nwJDP97Qp5kfwQjBkSkcY8VJKL4BpcGRmtnH2CknoRqvKjQV5CKyKfIiMXdpBovQOSk2bRKnh5ycxIMGgOt/s1600/shirt+buttons+variety.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="505" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryyFAlbrevT7eOLxAKnSU9bmq0-ZGFfk8Tw34RSH9-qLOiXELwZ3Jj4_d0nwJDP97Qp5kfwQjBkSkcY8VJKL4BpcGRmtnH2CknoRqvKjQV5CKyKfIiMXdpBovQOSk2bRKnh5ycxIMGgOt/s400/shirt+buttons+variety.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This kind of button is usually flar and simple, as well as relatively thin. As long as they are functional and not concealed, they will have the ornamental side to them. Concealed closures require very <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/684069828/70-small-pink-buttons-for-shirts-and" target="_blank">plain buttons</a>, even transparent. Shank buttons are OK, but as I have already pointed out, you cannot machine-sew those! Two or four holes - either will do.<br />
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Popularly, blouse buttons are 10 - 12 mm across (3/9" to about 1/2"), while men's shirt buttons are usually a bit larger, like 14 - 15 mm (about 5/8") across. Why this difference? Well, women's garments are usually smaller. Of course you can have larger size there as well, but make sure this is what you are looking for!<br />
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I discourage using fancy shape buttons, like flower or square, as they will make it difficult to fasten it quickly when you are getting ready in the morning! I used little white roses once on a shirt and I really regret it every time I put it on!<br />
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The best materials to be used are those which can be easily washed, like conventional plastic (acrylic), but also <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/737145765/small-mop-buttons-mother-of-pearl" target="_blank">mother of pearl</a>, metal, and even vegetable ivory, or corozo as they call it, but those cannot be tumble-dried (they may break).<br />
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<h4>
Cardigan buttons</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptwLqRuo5IkKMdWVpWQ-fw2ayL507h6eW0nlDFiLAHwHLEGWGml-MdO95dQYd0BOW_r9MaDFNmnprLnLK_GdF8WomGSzrk9LrAqAR958KsRIxwfVTCyhRy0R7iOZ9MxaqTqg8SgijqlIH/s1600/cardigan+buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="506" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptwLqRuo5IkKMdWVpWQ-fw2ayL507h6eW0nlDFiLAHwHLEGWGml-MdO95dQYd0BOW_r9MaDFNmnprLnLK_GdF8WomGSzrk9LrAqAR958KsRIxwfVTCyhRy0R7iOZ9MxaqTqg8SgijqlIH/s400/cardigan+buttons.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The buttons here are made of a variety of materials: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/631848037/19-blue-wooden-buttons-with-shanks-17-mm" target="_blank">wood</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/563954098/tagua-nut-buttons-in-light-brown-or" target="_blank">corozo</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/646955222/18-brown-celluloid-buttons-with-shanks" target="_blank">celluloid </a>and regular <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/601524809/purple-buttons-with-shanks-1960s-vintage" target="_blank">plastic</a>. </td></tr>
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In this category we have more freedom of choice, as both flat and shank buttons look great on knits. My personal choice would be shanks, but I know a lot of men's cardigans have large flat buttons, or the granny's knitted ones, too.<br />
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The size is usually larger, from 15 mm on - but this depends on the yarn and size of the cardigan. I remember my aunt's long garment from 1980's with huge black buttons, larger than any coat I had seen. That was fun!<br />
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The fluffier the sweater the more bulky the buttons should be. Some ball buttons may be just great. I would advise against using texture with knits, as it may catch the little threads of the yarn and eventually destroy your favourite knit. So smooth surface buttons.<br />
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As to materials, I believe that you can use anything you want, because I assume you are not going to wash your knit too often. However, some buttons may need to be removed before machine-washing or dry-cleaning, and that includes casein, wood and leather, as well as some metals.<br />
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<h4>
Jacket / blazer buttons</h4>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/718993284/shank-buttons-in-gold-tone-and-bottle?ga_search_query=green%2Band%2Bgold&ref=shop_items_search_8&frs=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbMUffpdc7an_HxmMUwGW9KjqwhehfiQKhjXba5MgsFA8G-Ys8U57R0lmopq-daKKMQ34TiDLDZNjkCjvSftRrfvc033hdiM4deuBu7Uuzea2tY34fpFGX0xr_Q3DV27K2m_klprIhG03/s400/darker+green.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For a jacket or a blazer, as well as for a suit, we usually need two sizes of buttons: smaller for the sleeves, pockets, etc. and larger for the front. Sometimes, there is just one large button there, and that's all, but usually it requires both sizes.<br />
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The larger ones are 23 mm (7/8") - 32 mm (1 1/4") across, while the smaller ones are usually 18-20 mm (3/4") across. The number of buttons you need in each size really depends on the style and preference, but I would encourage acquiring an additional button in each size in case one gets lost (and we all know they do!).<br />
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Shapes and materials can vary as much as tastes. Shank buttons are great, again, and flats, and textured, and smooth, perhaps passemanterie buttons are not recommended, as they will quickly deteriorate.<br />
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<h4>
Coat buttons</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQjHx2ION4PaPupGFWQVmzT2nyxQ1GYCooElpijoJp7y8Q_wbl5r4GhlfJWlzcZ_Zh1E7gpA1MemBWbrp0rexyCJBrsQ0ywwdRANnJDLHeZghY3AfapuC79sAQE2ivEkPr63hXoGFaIf7/s1600/coat+buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="505" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQjHx2ION4PaPupGFWQVmzT2nyxQ1GYCooElpijoJp7y8Q_wbl5r4GhlfJWlzcZ_Zh1E7gpA1MemBWbrp0rexyCJBrsQ0ywwdRANnJDLHeZghY3AfapuC79sAQE2ivEkPr63hXoGFaIf7/s400/coat+buttons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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These are definitely my favourite, as they may come in large sizes and fabulous dreamy styles! 1960's MOD's style buttons were the best! And you can use all sorts of materials, too, because coats are never machine washed, and cleaned so rarely you do not mind removing them for an occasional wash.<br />
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Just like in the case of jackets, larger and smaller buttons in the same style may be required, however, there is almost no limit to the size of the larger ones. The smaller may be 23 - 28 mm (7/8" - 1 1/8"), while the larger, anything from 18 mm (1 1/8") and above. I have some fabulous 50 mm (2") buttons for coats here that I am so anxious to use!<br />
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<b>Buttons for furs</b><br />
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These are very specific buttons, really. They can be made of a variety of materials, however, there are basically two shapes which can go with furs: deep cup buttons, or bulky ball buttons with shanks. They will guarantee that you will find the button in the long hair without having to search extensively. The holes are usually in a shape of a loop to make it easier to fasten them.<br />
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Buttons for furs should be quite large, about 25 - 26 mm (1 inch) in diameter. And at least 5-6 mm (1/4") thick. The best material, in my opinion, is conventional plastic with smooth surface, like these <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/488524385/fur-coat-buttons-silver-grey-ball?ga_search_query=ball%2Bbuttons" target="_blank">ball buttons</a>.<br />
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<h4>
Duffle coat buttons</h4>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesSewingSupplies?section_id=19293909" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0QBb7EmFhb_kRZ7AO3WDeyrqpOreTJc4hvbWHOvcwKZT7h1lCjRYqhdMRdogrjFIC5CQKfmqA0VBwpClxnMlsn1kNT7kZ4_ZwPO39_pULK4dWVi8_XE7trqksJ9AzzPLQa9BZKeHLFQ4/s400/toggle+buttons.jpg" width="400" /></a><span id="goog_756292694"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_756292695"></span></div>
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Last but not least, these buttons deserve a separate section. The questions what buttons duffle coats use lies in the horn-shaped buttons, originally made of real horn, however, nowadays they are most popularly made of plastic or wood, instead. They are called toggle buttons.<br />
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The toggles usually larger and placed on leather / faux leather straps, or pieces or string, depending on the style. You can make these yourself (you can find a <a href="http://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2016/11/how-to-make-sew-on-duffle-coat-toggle.html" target="_blank">tutorial </a>here) or buy ready made pieces and just sew them to your garment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojfTZ3tHAGhtIL16HJkiiRkGQzOK7ly28ecQKaeAQrPQ-7zOevDbzMRpcbzcbos0EpUi3zHG8Z-6WufAozIeRVwo-xq_IU91x_ud8a80frHB_VC4KIaMEGyyTUqlVe_rQ_jADcFSWTpRt/s1600/mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojfTZ3tHAGhtIL16HJkiiRkGQzOK7ly28ecQKaeAQrPQ-7zOevDbzMRpcbzcbos0EpUi3zHG8Z-6WufAozIeRVwo-xq_IU91x_ud8a80frHB_VC4KIaMEGyyTUqlVe_rQ_jADcFSWTpRt/s400/mod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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These button closures will look great not only on coats, but also on cardigans and fur collars, and even without the strap. Check out this <a href="http://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com/2018/01/swapping-buttons-winter-coat-makover.html" target="_blank">upgrade I made to an otherwise boring pea coat</a>.<br />
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<br />Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-63593182530814160132019-03-13T10:33:00.063+01:002022-12-18T22:13:53.830+01:00How to clean vintage buttonsAfter the first thrilling moment of opening a box of vintage buttons and discovering some really unique pieces, we are faced with a problem of how to clean the buttons without destroying their unique qualities like colour, details or even the whole design.<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5DO3_mUUGalDCVKewZZAgEL4SQIePicKhLWuO51h4E8FmrRHYgY3LSQtUs8_yASmZ3b6sy5tDTmuAbm_3sLRW6KcfcC0O4CXvQVDxG5WOhJEUNoJAnep07dzUcjX8njAaucOJgYxoTmtXh_U0zJN-xYoXl5dEIZt7kYyZTpaKrO2JkNkBBOJ33HJUg/s2112/that's%20a%20lot%20of%20buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vintage Button cards" border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="2112" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5DO3_mUUGalDCVKewZZAgEL4SQIePicKhLWuO51h4E8FmrRHYgY3LSQtUs8_yASmZ3b6sy5tDTmuAbm_3sLRW6KcfcC0O4CXvQVDxG5WOhJEUNoJAnep07dzUcjX8njAaucOJgYxoTmtXh_U0zJN-xYoXl5dEIZt7kYyZTpaKrO2JkNkBBOJ33HJUg/w640-h510/that's%20a%20lot%20of%20buttons.jpg" title="Buttons on cards" width="640" /></a></div> <span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><h4>Which buttons can be machine washed</h4>
Some buttons are good for machine washing, but unless they are made of acrylic or nylon plastic, I would not recommend putting them through the process, as they may break, chip, soak and whatever else. These plastics only started to be commonly used in 1960s so if you have older buttons, you may not want to risk damaging them (a few hints can be learnt from my article about <a href="https://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com/p/button-identification.html" target="_blank">dating buttons</a>).<br />
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Manufacturers claim that vegetable ivory (or corozo) buttons can be machine washed. While this <i>is </i>100% true, older buttons are dyed using not very durable dyes, especially green and blue ones, and this may lead to slight or complete decoloration. Also, the buttons may 'bleed', staining other clothes, so definitely not recommended for vintage corozo buttons. Very importantly, tumble-drying may prove even worse for corozo buttons. They should dry slowly in room temperature. Heating them while still wet may lead to braking or chipping of the buttons.<div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimEJHUxlnHl_1WS-ehVZcXXRCCybCrLWZxEc0l6Co75I2wKHsZwVs5YEpU5jwQdFvuAebxuLXBYwVR6imaPlgqyvFnfLPBFoG6NhCCCwGCHplV1m52N_-LTQmWOJldvN4y8sQ2jclQrqsZE6kq-dH2DZ4VJ2N_d49fqDT-eTLk2MYPwSnWkCTcew0udQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Red buttons on a card" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimEJHUxlnHl_1WS-ehVZcXXRCCybCrLWZxEc0l6Co75I2wKHsZwVs5YEpU5jwQdFvuAebxuLXBYwVR6imaPlgqyvFnfLPBFoG6NhCCCwGCHplV1m52N_-LTQmWOJldvN4y8sQ2jclQrqsZE6kq-dH2DZ4VJ2N_d49fqDT-eTLk2MYPwSnWkCTcew0udQ=w400-h300" title="Red buttons on a card" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of bleeding on a vintage button card</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />
Casein buttons MUSTN'T go to under the washing process. If you wash them just once, you will see nothing has happened (unless you wash in high temperatures, which is much worse). However, if you do that repeatedly, it will lead to significant deterioration, including cracking, buttons becoming dull, or even dissolving completely.</div><div><br />
Dry-cleaning is safe, at least theoretically, but you never have the guarantee that the buttons don't get broken in the process due to someone's carelessness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zcTuCv7IiASA_24p1RVHARL41r1Tlto9B5CfTm7SrjMF_VjgzSDcSeI0Cn0wWG3xKbG68iKahM5wSEepbXbLNFdE0U97VgR_WAyRxrcrrSF7tz83wC6S23OOBOGCTg3UZFMHXEuGkL-F/s1600/another+view.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zcTuCv7IiASA_24p1RVHARL41r1Tlto9B5CfTm7SrjMF_VjgzSDcSeI0Cn0wWG3xKbG68iKahM5wSEepbXbLNFdE0U97VgR_WAyRxrcrrSF7tz83wC6S23OOBOGCTg3UZFMHXEuGkL-F/s640/another+view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These buttons have cracks and dull surface, due to repeated machine washing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Celluloid and plexi glass can chip and break in the automated washing cycle, though there won't be a reaction as was the case of casein. The same may be true about glass buttons.<br />
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Wooden buttons will suffer even worse, as they were probably not treated for machine washing, so anything may happen to them. They will soak in more water than corozo buttons, and may bend or crack.<br />
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Bakelite is definitely the most indicated for machine washing from all vintage plastics.<br />
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If you are thinking of machine-washing buttons, remember to put other clothes in the machine to cushion any impact. Secure the buttons in a mesh bag, preferably sealed with a plastic zipper, rather than just tied. Avoid excessive spinning as this may damage the buttons mechanically.<div><br /></div><div>And obviously, do not wash buttons on cards!</div><div><br />
<h4>
How to clean buttons</h4>
The best way to clean the buttons is to do it manually, using different tools and solutions.<br />
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Firstly, it is useful to remove any dust with a dry brush. I use different densities, depending on how stuck the dust is to a button. An old toothbrush can also be useful, but remember to disinfect it first. You will be surprised at how much dirt goes away. If the buttons are very dirty, I recommend wearing a facemask, just a simple one to avoid breathing in the dust. You can even clean carded buttons this way, and the old button cards.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVY56ddwoaByDQNDC9JXKzmgvXCeNJVSA62OeYPQOloxrItqgqNH9pjs5ui4AG4qdi3ugIOaEnFCLrFDDIE-JaP7f21HpczNg38jJT46R-yxYT6YPCchSa6kx3I1WQySW0XziZD0K0yLZapxCP-BIqrgKFgyvTh8iKlci0akvQOe5L1TEwM4ubHdzAEg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cleaning a button" data-original-height="2888" data-original-width="3000" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVY56ddwoaByDQNDC9JXKzmgvXCeNJVSA62OeYPQOloxrItqgqNH9pjs5ui4AG4qdi3ugIOaEnFCLrFDDIE-JaP7f21HpczNg38jJT46R-yxYT6YPCchSa6kx3I1WQySW0XziZD0K0yLZapxCP-BIqrgKFgyvTh8iKlci0akvQOe5L1TEwM4ubHdzAEg=w400-h386" title="Cleaning a button" width="400" /></a></div></div><br />Never approach a dusty card with a damp cloth first, as you will only impregnate it in form of grayish stain to the card!<br />
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Of course, once dusted, buttons are ready to be wiped with a damp cloth. The Vileda yellow one is a great choice. Make sure you squeeze out as much water as possible. This way you will only use a very small amount of water, and so not enough to damage the buttons or their colour.</div><div><br />
I sometimes use damp make-up sponges with pointed edges to get to the dirt stuck deeply in the details of the buttons. Again, use as little water as possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>
<h4>
What to clean buttons with</h4>
I definitely recommend just dry brushes and water, whenever possible. However, sometimes there are stains which resist this treatment, and these should be targeted with specific solutions.<br />
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<b>Rusty stains </b>are a problem not only for buttons, but also vintage buckles. I had a few buckles, perfectly preserved and unused, which must have been stored in a damp place, because many metal prongs got rusty. I removed them of course, but the buckle, usually a casein or Bakelite piece, had a small stain of rust, or two. Some people believe Coca-cola is the best solution for rust-stained objects. Well, I disagree, as simple (and much cheaper) vinegar does the job a lot better. And it is not sticky. So wipe the stained surface with a cotton soaked in vinegar and rub gently.<br />
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A lot of my buttons come from times, when haberdashery was presented on cards (buckles too!). Most of the times they were attached to them with thread, but at some point people started using <b>glue </b>for the same purpose. These leave white glue marks on the bottom of the buttons. Luckily, it comes off with alcohol. If it resists, leave the button on a soaked cotton pad, facing the glue-side down, and rub from time to time. The good thing is that it does not usually affect the colouring, even on Tagua nut buttons. I do not recommend to for wooden buttons covered in thick layer of paint, but these do not usually come on glued cards.<br />
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Both vinegar and alcohol are effective in cleaning <b>grease </b>from vintage buttons. This may be a problem in case of old tins of buttons, sorted through dozens of times by those little hands of all the children in the family. I know, I was one of them ;)<br />
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A few of the buttons I have encountered had small spots of white <b>paint </b>on them. I was lucky as this was the classic wall paint, which comes off either mechanically (scratching off) or with a bit of water. Definitely more difficult if you are dealing with other kinds of paint and polish. A dissolvent may be necessary, but I recommend trying first with a cotton swab soaked in the dissolvent, on the wrong side. First swab it, and if nothing happens, leave the swab against the button for a moment. It may not work immediately, and you want to be sure it will not affect the colouring.<br />
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<b>Rust </b>is the biggest problem, especially if the whole piece, not only parts, are made of it, and different metals produce different kinds of rust. While iron pieces affected by it, even when chromed, turn into ugly pieces of metal, brass and copper produce different kinds of rust, which can be removed. The pieces may be restored.<br />
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First I recommend leaving the piece in vinegar for a while. It will remove most of the rust. Then rub it off and dry. You will find that the area previously covered with rust has recovered the shape, but not the colour. For this you will need the Simichrome Polish, which I have spoken about in the <a href="https://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com/2017/02/how-to-identify-bakelite.html" target="_blank">Bakelite testing</a>.<br />
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Rub several times, always wiping dry after each time. You will observe how the stain diminishes, until it disappears completely.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk_V3Kxzflps2mhrzfa8DZPr_zovMLkTOb2DufWYe3FmV4vw1N9lx9aJKzr1dLtkSX6_fGm2JCNGi5QFsQB7en3Yqb3dKnZuP8ZjNweoaBzA2yGESdXWFbotKlpMz2DrIoA66xZSJcXkl/s1600/closed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1431" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk_V3Kxzflps2mhrzfa8DZPr_zovMLkTOb2DufWYe3FmV4vw1N9lx9aJKzr1dLtkSX6_fGm2JCNGi5QFsQB7en3Yqb3dKnZuP8ZjNweoaBzA2yGESdXWFbotKlpMz2DrIoA66xZSJcXkl/s320/closed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not, the center of this piece was BLACK when I first saw it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /></div><div>I hope you find these tips useful, also to clean other vintage treasures!</div></div>Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-65547481583803749292018-12-01T18:57:00.002+01:002018-12-01T18:57:49.090+01:00How to (still) get found on EstyAnyone wondering <b>how to improve the search result for a shop on etsy</b> has found that there are more questions than answers. We all need to get found in search to be able to sell. And with the recent changes, which appear to be happening all the time, I bet SEO is a hard nut on etsy these days. Needless to say that Google uses completely different algorithms. I must say my shops are both enjoying a constant flow of new customers, and some repeated ones as well and I have decided to share a few thought on Etsy SEO. I am aware it works a bit differently for different sectors, but there are a few things that will definitely work<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19cJiDVwSRsUjHWlXmbWEt7YzV83vSU7WiYWafRfahFb2QPrtFrCdkvA-obpL8RDpEG1Q86GWFaCZEszfeljTTjVE31gksBt5NjdD6jAbjCtgduUDMyBVvEwS7x2b4-GOF3ImGlcJh3hr/s1600/stats+new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="791" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19cJiDVwSRsUjHWlXmbWEt7YzV83vSU7WiYWafRfahFb2QPrtFrCdkvA-obpL8RDpEG1Q86GWFaCZEszfeljTTjVE31gksBt5NjdD6jAbjCtgduUDMyBVvEwS7x2b4-GOF3ImGlcJh3hr/s640/stats+new.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. First and foremost, <b>adding new items</b> regularily is PARAMOUNT. And timing is crucial as well. That's the only way to compete with new stores, which now get a boost in views.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFXWxJM6xrERodna29ywmzJp-JUq4yoj4RepN8sAXnSiTUtNRf2hCh8FAr4DLyC7NKxlBgk74ZHUdoc2oEf08AH3xgdn6heLYyRjt_PM6Z7ab3YtzunbhOPIvSsgESk9uZDIRfLkVJEJw/s1600/drafts+publish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="490" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFXWxJM6xrERodna29ywmzJp-JUq4yoj4RepN8sAXnSiTUtNRf2hCh8FAr4DLyC7NKxlBgk74ZHUdoc2oEf08AH3xgdn6heLYyRjt_PM6Z7ab3YtzunbhOPIvSsgESk9uZDIRfLkVJEJw/s400/drafts+publish.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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New items <b>get additional visibility in search</b> during the first few minutes, to see what the reaction of the audience is and establish their relevance. So no new listings = zero chances of this increased visibility.<br />
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What is more, if you get visits during these few minutes, it means your item attracts clicks, and so it<b> </b>will be regarded as relevand and so,<b> </b>it is going to <b>be shown more in search</b>! Here it is important to know your audience and adjust the timeframe e.g. my customers are mainly from the US, so I need to publish my listings in the evening here, because it is daytime over there.<br />
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2. <b>Reviews now play a big role in increasing visibility</b>. Just a few are not enough to establish credibility by the bots, so you need to get as many as possible. And they need to be positive, because a certain percentage of negetive ones does affect the search results. But do not worry if you have just received a bad review from someone who never read the item description and then wouldn't even talk to you or send a return. With just a few among many more positive ones there is no difference. But then again, you need many more positive ones. If you have 10 reviews overall and two of them are negative, that makes 20%, but with hundreds more that makes under 1%.<br />
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How to encourage customers to leave a review? Well, the WORST thing you can do is to bug them about it, send private messages (which could be a violation of the new European law on privacy) explicitly asking them to do it. The customers will do it when they feel like it. And they will, if they like your service and feel you deserve it. Ironically, if they are bothered by your asking them, they may leave you a bad review!!!<br />
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There are two things you can do to improve their experience.<br />
First is to establish good communication, especially before the purchase. I know it is difficult to reply rightaway if your customers are in a different time zone, or you have had a lot of queries that led to nothing, or do not feel like answering obvious questions, which you have already answered in the item description. My advice is DO. Customers really appreciate it and then feel they really have a reason to add a review.<br />
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My second tip is to <b>add a free gift</b> with your order. This is something I myself appreciate a lot when I make onlie purchases. It also encourages buyers to repeat.<br />
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Other things that may help are making a refund for shipping overages, or using nice packaging, which may inspire customers to write someting about the purchase, apart from leaving a 5-star review.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheapUqHCFfH5HquQCB06KODF5ego8d5THm4U9XEAA7l-subT4iX_cK5ejGipISoMb6pwRMqcSTHko9-V6La__Rpc-mnLpTTohA-PvE6Bmwi6F337nrf1vbHgSteQ0AZVrS6bd7mBAdczS6/s1600/preparing+the+envelopes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheapUqHCFfH5HquQCB06KODF5ego8d5THm4U9XEAA7l-subT4iX_cK5ejGipISoMb6pwRMqcSTHko9-V6La__Rpc-mnLpTTohA-PvE6Bmwi6F337nrf1vbHgSteQ0AZVrS6bd7mBAdczS6/s320/preparing+the+envelopes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My stamped envelopes made it to Instagram <br />
because a customer liked them!</td></tr>
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3. <b>Use all the fields possible</b>: the title, the description (now, the order does not matter, just make sure you write all the relevant words somewhere), all the 13 the tags, and also materials. I found that whenever I included 'plastic buckle' in the materials (I used to do it only for buckles that also had a prong, as I felt the other buckles were just 'plastic'), these got more visits. Now I make sure that I include that in all items - a lot of buttons is composed of buttons, isn't it?<br />
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4. <b>Get views</b>. Use social media, your friends, family, or even other people's computers, whenever you can, click on your items and view them. Ideally get to them through search. It will be understood that they are popular and they will go up in overall ranking.<br />
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5. <b>Polish your tags</b>. I mean it. I have seen a listing by another seller, horribly translated into English, and whose description included all the wrong words. They were selling belt buckles, but it did not have the word 'belt buckle' anywhere in the body or title. But yes in the tags. And this listing went on top of my buckles! I guess it was also because it was a new shop, and got some boost in visibility for newbies, but still.<br />
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6. <b>Renew sold items</b>. This is sometimes impossible if you, like me, sell ooak items. But I have noticed that if one item of which I have more stock is sold, it sells again shortly afterwards. Obviously, you shouldn't use such a listing for a completely different item, because they will confuse the bots and work against you. If I renew an item for a different one, it is always one that closely resembles the sold item. It took a while to rak those, why change it and start over again?<br />
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There are also other punishing procedures, such as unresolved cases, etc. which will also negatively affect the search results for your shop. make sure you do not get any of these!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KTVUar_pWvz16sZ3d6mz7Pf9FaYnhenFJKEuAPafawEdk_UrS6wz5eNOkiwzYE59SoGLtac95oJ9_ALDbIswQvwUhpUQ38jze7NiWcrbfjrkwDcPJprekAjmEbHXOG-ifgyd2DdCIOAY/s1600/map+stats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="710" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KTVUar_pWvz16sZ3d6mz7Pf9FaYnhenFJKEuAPafawEdk_UrS6wz5eNOkiwzYE59SoGLtac95oJ9_ALDbIswQvwUhpUQ38jze7NiWcrbfjrkwDcPJprekAjmEbHXOG-ifgyd2DdCIOAY/s640/map+stats.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sadly, Japan and Australia did not fit here. I have really good customers from those countries!</td></tr>
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7.<b> Ship all over the world</b>. Etsy is running a series of trials and algorythm alterations. I am suspecting that they are rotating the search results basing on the country. There are weeks I get only orders from the USA, other weeks that I get mostly European customers, and other weeks, in which I believe Etsy boosts my views locally in Spain. As it is not a nation that buys a lot on line, nor uses this very page, well, I get very few orders then, but only from Spanish customers! If you only limit your sales to one country, or just a few countries, chances are you will see very little traffic in the weeks when you could be exposed to South American or Asian customers. Don't worry about conflict areas. I had a problem once when my package was returned - I learnt the service is banned to that country. I had to refund. ONCE in five years, and having two shops.<br />
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A few more thoughts.<br />
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<b>Etsy Plus or not?</b> Well, this definitely makes it easier to attract those interested in free shipping or discounts, as the available templates will add this information to the thumbnail in search. Or you can benefit from the free promoted listings they offer. But, does it really help getting found? Well, no.<br />
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Several sellers are actually suspecting it is causing a decline in views and overall interest in their shops as they have observed a dramatic fall in their stats. Others report more sales. I guess this time Etsy was right that <b>the Plus subsccription does not have any effect on how you rank in search</b>. To prove my point, I am not using it and I am getting a steady flow of visits and sales, even more before, when this feature was not available.<br />
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<b>Free shipping </b>may enhance your sales, but it will only increase your visibility if the buyers use the free-shippinng filter. The same way as sales and promotions do. I would not focus on this, as personally I have found there is no difference in traffic whether you have doe it or not. But suspiciously high shipping rates may kill your sales.<br />
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Well, these tips work for me! I add new listings almost every day and I have started offering free shipping for larger orders. I have to work now on my presence in the social media, though ;)Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-49244032650267518342018-06-13T16:47:00.001+02:002018-06-13T16:47:59.012+02:00Plexi glass / Lucite buttons - Glass imitation from early 20th centuryThere were a lot of kinds of early plastics, as experiments with synthetic materials continued. Plexi glass was an attempt to imitate glass, both transparent and opaque.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><h4>
Plexiglass</h4>
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When I first came across these buttons, I wasn't sure what they were. they sounded like celluloid, but are far more durable, less brittle and generally seem something better than just celluloid. I was lucky, because soon I got my hands on a button card, which explicitly said PLEXIGLASS.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44bD0hIQZ-XfzAKigaSVy2rd9g8stTQOvVI6xLWNbm9JMSy8esOCS5N5lkofLdyFyEs-Mg_UOjZ7t_R0Qd43A4aBGPYwVnw-qWSCv_yfjF-V09pcxN10f50-i3kk3qpRulSsPA8oiX3Bf/s1600/caramel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44bD0hIQZ-XfzAKigaSVy2rd9g8stTQOvVI6xLWNbm9JMSy8esOCS5N5lkofLdyFyEs-Mg_UOjZ7t_R0Qd43A4aBGPYwVnw-qWSCv_yfjF-V09pcxN10f50-i3kk3qpRulSsPA8oiX3Bf/s640/caramel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #414141; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "im fell great primer"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<h4 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #414141; font-family: "IM Fell Great Primer"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">How to identify plexiglass</span></h4>
This kind of plastic is very similar in apprearance to celluloid, but also to glass. It is a bit heavier, more solid than celluloid, although the pieces make the same sound against one another.<br />
As compared to glass, they are obviously lighter. The seams are obvious and not finished the same way as glass buttons. You can generally find larger buttons made of plexiglass, but ot too large glass buttons, as heavy buttons are very uncomfortable to wear. Plexiglass can be carved, unlike glass.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzxmd1ybiBrazrtHSQGLe1nTuX3PWX12XzxSX_3TPdhCo6eDwEFhnE8i_ptND521B9b39YDwtNS3fuMKachEe2er2CMTZx0PlALfyFya0Pioq3qfRNT9dgJPwBjYm9YC1_VDHLGXvT3bq/s1600/all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="1600" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzxmd1ybiBrazrtHSQGLe1nTuX3PWX12XzxSX_3TPdhCo6eDwEFhnE8i_ptND521B9b39YDwtNS3fuMKachEe2er2CMTZx0PlALfyFya0Pioq3qfRNT9dgJPwBjYm9YC1_VDHLGXvT3bq/s640/all.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/584034980/clear-plastic-buttons-vintage" target="_blank">clear lucite buttons</a> show a variety of styles and techniques. Some of them are carved, most ale molded, there are even a few shanks. Some have a very simple design.</td></tr>
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Clear lucite buttons are common, usually with carved details on the wrong side, but also on the top. They are transparent not to draw attention from the fabric pattern they are sewn to. These were very popular on blouses in 1930s, as most of my plexiglass buttons come from those times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34yKWMRcTgajuRjgJmATcqr1Znss51hc_EJGQZIP5VfbesRZhCehnRtdodllsHVt2f6kK-GoMIgkA0332lz0FXhzslfHruzmFeDjIzGKuDNbM4u06Xqse3AAcf-UVskAZ12oq8JCceVpx/s1600/buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34yKWMRcTgajuRjgJmATcqr1Znss51hc_EJGQZIP5VfbesRZhCehnRtdodllsHVt2f6kK-GoMIgkA0332lz0FXhzslfHruzmFeDjIzGKuDNbM4u06Xqse3AAcf-UVskAZ12oq8JCceVpx/s640/buttons.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/569605303/clear-buttons-transparent-buttons-with" target="_blank">Clear buttons </a>are usually presented onn a dark colour card, so that all the details are more apparent.</td></tr>
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It is important to remember that when Plexiglass buttons were introduced, machine washing was not common. They were not designed to resist it and so, they may be damaged, especially if washed in high temperatures. Some of the flat buttons above are also very thin, which makes them easily breakable. I recommend washing by hand or removing the buttons before the wash if you insist on machinewashing. Clear buttons are especially fragile, as they may be scratched and will not look the same afterwards.<br />
.Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-2137998221220358942018-05-14T12:48:00.000+02:002018-05-14T12:48:01.629+02:00Sticky button cardsThroughout the whole 20th century buttons were displayed and distributed on button cards. I have some lovely<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/579822129/small-black-buttons-24-ambossed-art-deco" target="_blank"> Art Deco cards from 1930s</a>, but also some more <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/196017457/vintage-button-card-with-24-small-brown" target="_blank">modern ones from 1960s</a>. The buttons were usually sewn to the cards. I once met a woman who was delighted to see my button cards because they reminded her of her youth: she used to live in Paris, where she sewed the buttons to the cards for a large fashion firm.<br />
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Anyway, somewhere around 1950s-1960s someone had one of those 'brilliant' ideas to make things easier and instead of sewing - glue the buttons to the cards, usually using an adhesive tape. I saw this method used all through the 1970s and 1980s!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5q_BCe2jH_GfM0sbDeJghu3eUdFCBHlMu7ZNtPBfT30vgqHaHBul-Jhj1Jy52ijgYOetR0SpaluQlT-rlLaMLLk1sfKVdI8_vFulRidEOqNq6mhMqK6426aP9tV-YGlb7xQqFn-h_Rups/s1600/a+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5q_BCe2jH_GfM0sbDeJghu3eUdFCBHlMu7ZNtPBfT30vgqHaHBul-Jhj1Jy52ijgYOetR0SpaluQlT-rlLaMLLk1sfKVdI8_vFulRidEOqNq6mhMqK6426aP9tV-YGlb7xQqFn-h_Rups/s400/a+card.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Apparently, this looks easier. You spent much less time attatching the buttons to the display and if you rip them off, you do not let the rest of the buttons loose (which was the case of sewn cards).<br />
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However, there is a certainly important drawback of this way of attatching the buttons. The glue is so good that it usually stays on the buttons for good. They simply get sticky. Other times, the glue has deteriorated over time, which causes the buttons to fall off the card. Still, the backs and shanks are usually dirty with some white substance that once was glue.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf20T-Nzhj3sSPMTt9evsMs_ho8nBAdNs4CrGWMMYKpM0gEYe4vNXqeKWdlA5eWSayqBpfcZEehNhWy6XAi40Z7Af1DPv2pjZhH3N-Lrm6ZiEpy0z_sbk92124_M7BDYbRFcXGdsUQz5K/s1600/sticky++problem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf20T-Nzhj3sSPMTt9evsMs_ho8nBAdNs4CrGWMMYKpM0gEYe4vNXqeKWdlA5eWSayqBpfcZEehNhWy6XAi40Z7Af1DPv2pjZhH3N-Lrm6ZiEpy0z_sbk92124_M7BDYbRFcXGdsUQz5K/s400/sticky++problem.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As these buttons can be really nice pieces, I try to recover them. For this I use 96% alcohol, which works well with most kinds of glue. I simply apply some on a cotton pad and rub to surface until all the glue is gone. Sometimes I have to leave them soaked in the alcohol (it does not damage most of the modern plastic buttons). The glue disappears pretty easily after a few minutes or rubbing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2grPAhXJ1NIvugSAD1Nh-PcdEujcFvSTKImplQGD3CxI0ZEkvcrrDNM06imVTwx9PotlIh7OL1igudurSXmabJpF1u-_rNtevrfrP6HE0_qI7hDz8-3qh1zVBHMALnNR6A0aT3trC8JV9/s1600/the+solution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1600" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2grPAhXJ1NIvugSAD1Nh-PcdEujcFvSTKImplQGD3CxI0ZEkvcrrDNM06imVTwx9PotlIh7OL1igudurSXmabJpF1u-_rNtevrfrP6HE0_qI7hDz8-3qh1zVBHMALnNR6A0aT3trC8JV9/s400/the+solution.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This will work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I would not try this on casein and tagua nut buttons, and some wooden buttons either, though, as their dyes and paint may not be durable. Luckily, those are usually old enough to be sewn to the cards, so no alcohol is necessary. Yet, it has worked well on my plastic buttons.<br />
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As you can see, not as bad as it seemed initially.Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-13190164033973183282018-01-25T15:44:00.000+01:002018-05-08T16:00:01.030+02:00Swapping buttons - winter coat makoverHave you ever owned one of those? Sad black coat, with little character or decoration? You probably still do, beacuse they seem to be universal, but in the end, they just make a silent existence in our wardrobes. I decided to give mine a new life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0SijCwQ-fEtsATJbtdstuo26G0u5HW0PGFKjCd5ywWa68G7g98IlD6gGC1R9_7wpQ8yndTQx5WCnz1wzwSDvGwVOEWb5UOJJGxjdZvAIY9Po4EK-JXVb2_48Jo0eX3REoPwpuctLLUQb/s1600/sad+coat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0SijCwQ-fEtsATJbtdstuo26G0u5HW0PGFKjCd5ywWa68G7g98IlD6gGC1R9_7wpQ8yndTQx5WCnz1wzwSDvGwVOEWb5UOJJGxjdZvAIY9Po4EK-JXVb2_48Jo0eX3REoPwpuctLLUQb/s400/sad+coat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As you can see, it is a classic short coat, with a hood, double breasted and with a belt. The buttons are really unexciting and just make it more classic. I bought it in times when I would go everywhere on a bicycle, so I needed something short but warm.<br />
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Now I have moved to a place where cycling is almost impossible, with steep slopes and virtually NO bike lanes, but on the other hand, I can just walk everywhere.<br />
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I decided to go for contrast buttons in unusual shape. These <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/386833482/7-light-cream-toggle-buttons-large" target="_blank">white toggle buttons</a> turned out to be perfect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bmuWqZx2fKpGm0biwGlT3ga4ZV4lQsdZSEzO8rrzsGzbtpmlOgJ-ddMYqDErjcd1UjdgIYT9PSIZ8SSzxGd4uLe57NrLZj96QTqkFg0Xsm8w2bFfnM7DUGDuux5aSfulJtl_NbY8WD4U/s1600/Coat+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1290" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bmuWqZx2fKpGm0biwGlT3ga4ZV4lQsdZSEzO8rrzsGzbtpmlOgJ-ddMYqDErjcd1UjdgIYT9PSIZ8SSzxGd4uLe57NrLZj96QTqkFg0Xsm8w2bFfnM7DUGDuux5aSfulJtl_NbY8WD4U/s640/Coat+after.jpg" width="514" /></a></div>
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Now it has asymmetrical closure and I am excited to put it on again! I am wondering now if I should change the buckle as well...Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-78838931432569096052017-11-13T20:58:00.002+01:002017-11-13T20:58:30.707+01:00War-time era buttonsThe second world war was a difficult time in Europe. Although Spain was not directly involved in it (apart from some help sent to the Nazi Germany), it was no different there, as there had been a terrible civil war, which had just finished in 1939.<br />
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Along with the atrocoities came hunger and scarcity. The former moved people from cities to the countryside, where they could at least access the basic produce, and the latter was caused both by insufficiennt resources, but also by the fact that most commodities were reserved for the military use. This was the fate of the plastic, whose use was restricted for civillians.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/111/0/8811554/il_570xN.1105757701_9wfw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/111/0/8811554/il_570xN.1105757701_9wfw.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an example of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/475600329/24-vintage-nautical-buttons-gold-metal" target="_blank">metal military buttons</a> for the navy.</td></tr>
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The alternatives provided by the button manufacturers were metal and wood. However, plastic had already made it to the haberdasheries and now it was difficult to convince people to buy cheaper and more mundane materials, so the buttons were usually covered in a thick layer of paint in vivid colours, just to make them look like plastic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBs_awcf-zWZ2mtrwcLVrVX8ffVM7SQTI2KyvMsPYHefsaWhZICSU2DKxMjqrX5remc2i-hgxnTHTsTJVrro7X2-pg9efnkIBopWFa6yNVN3bZa0vNQuk_XE62CbPtGNTo28bi8eYnS64/s1600/blue+buttonsss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1600" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBs_awcf-zWZ2mtrwcLVrVX8ffVM7SQTI2KyvMsPYHefsaWhZICSU2DKxMjqrX5remc2i-hgxnTHTsTJVrro7X2-pg9efnkIBopWFa6yNVN3bZa0vNQuk_XE62CbPtGNTo28bi8eYnS64/s640/blue+buttonsss.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/558066748/12-blue-buttons-large-metal-buttons-on" target="_blank">blue buttons</a> look as if made of plastic. They have a nice art deco pattern.<br />But take a look at the photo below, showing the back of the button. We can see they are made of metal over a wooden base.<br />Machine washing could destroy them altogether!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kFVw469K9rf3goAuSW6LSC61UupYld7kWRqRzMfJ6FC7f8IE_k3fNjPizihp5ep32W10jSFhS0VkMQLhLsQlglmwwH4xlo31rNTj4ROjQCRWgXdPs58S5AFWpcHMm8E_Nwmr-2wUtu94/s1600/button+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kFVw469K9rf3goAuSW6LSC61UupYld7kWRqRzMfJ6FC7f8IE_k3fNjPizihp5ep32W10jSFhS0VkMQLhLsQlglmwwH4xlo31rNTj4ROjQCRWgXdPs58S5AFWpcHMm8E_Nwmr-2wUtu94/s640/button+back.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/220/0/8811554/il_570xN.1383736559_beab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/220/0/8811554/il_570xN.1383736559_beab.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These buttons also look as if made of plastic, but this time they are made of wood.</td></tr>
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The paper card on which the buttons were sold had to be cheaper as well. In 1930s the cards had been beautifully decorated, and very ofte made from expensive cardboard. Now they had to be made of recycled paper, unbleached, and with no or minimum decoration (it came back in 1950s).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxgnJqY1eWq8OLTyC0DBP9b5wDrRVVn7N6bUJxoE3CmZaDQzdk2kn1Cz98zgsrgZGTtpuoVXBV8nVzU0OmEYeyNvV2mksp_m_flTfN9wxnWdhdH_AoSzeSmb1dUxS7KD51YuOTupxe3wy/s1600/beige+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxgnJqY1eWq8OLTyC0DBP9b5wDrRVVn7N6bUJxoE3CmZaDQzdk2kn1Cz98zgsrgZGTtpuoVXBV8nVzU0OmEYeyNvV2mksp_m_flTfN9wxnWdhdH_AoSzeSmb1dUxS7KD51YuOTupxe3wy/s640/beige+close+up.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This button card is made of unbleached paper. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUyIeqCBpSukEXqVZR7sPvuZDHG0-2dISPEE25RbuZGe17uUy-rQiKlkJt8ius0DPsTeOD04Ju5y9HpD_xFr52yT0AkwB5ifLl5dTlN4kU4ibxAkkfz8oxUWTdeS3cy0rvz-Sej0Z8EyQ/s1600/lacquuered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUyIeqCBpSukEXqVZR7sPvuZDHG0-2dISPEE25RbuZGe17uUy-rQiKlkJt8ius0DPsTeOD04Ju5y9HpD_xFr52yT0AkwB5ifLl5dTlN4kU4ibxAkkfz8oxUWTdeS3cy0rvz-Sej0Z8EyQ/s640/lacquuered.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">These buttons are large, but they are made of bad quality <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/555969036/large-red-buttons-6-square-wooden" target="_blank">wood</a>. They look nice from the top, tough.</td></tr>
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The times were difficult and the resources scarce, but this makes it easier to date the buttons. Once the war was over, plastic took over the button market for good.<br />
<br />Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-26080014331175445692017-09-18T10:51:00.001+02:002018-07-01T00:13:15.562+02:00How to fit a D-buckle, or how I fixed that old beltI had this belt, you can call it boyfriend style. The trouble was that it had been worn out. The faux leather pieces were crumbling, ...so I replaced them with new ones I cut from a scrap of leather I had in a matching colour.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvsdfccedNKHOaFoUwhvoga0tPqJg5dx8L4kCKSloDzcRjVSU8sb0RXGKOlaJGNRxamhrjmLEfxTnDFLxTw-G1i-ERFxr0-8MojY_TirOx9VSlEPv7y6WQgGAX1D8vPiKfo34BcdBVwDX/s1600/00.the+old+belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvsdfccedNKHOaFoUwhvoga0tPqJg5dx8L4kCKSloDzcRjVSU8sb0RXGKOlaJGNRxamhrjmLEfxTnDFLxTw-G1i-ERFxr0-8MojY_TirOx9VSlEPv7y6WQgGAX1D8vPiKfo34BcdBVwDX/s400/00.the+old+belt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now this looks really bad...</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>First I unmounted all the pieces. It was terrible as the faux leather (yeah, it used to be faux leather...) was crumbling all the way. The <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/525997949" target="_blank">metal buckle</a>, though, looked completely new. I then traced all the pieces onto paper to make pattern for the new pieces.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1q-KC31XiqAwbIInC4gqswig_L8Lig0pv1ploRecapX_LpVPy1tO1shH4BoLguA0VrwRSP9MNkQ0g1GLXsVGq_VAA9dILD_XjS-OG8YqZSODo2CiHNdXXWVuyltS3qBahQWVdVQEgsFr/s1600/02.pattern+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1q-KC31XiqAwbIInC4gqswig_L8Lig0pv1ploRecapX_LpVPy1tO1shH4BoLguA0VrwRSP9MNkQ0g1GLXsVGq_VAA9dILD_XjS-OG8YqZSODo2CiHNdXXWVuyltS3qBahQWVdVQEgsFr/s400/02.pattern+pieces.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3>
How to attatch a buckle to a belt</h3>
To begin with, we need all the necessary pieces cut out from a piece of leather: the belt tip, the loop and the piece which will hold the buckle to the belt. No seam allowances are necessary for these. It is very important to make a long oval or rectangular hole in the middle, wide enough to let through the buckle prong. It also has to fit the buckle, so it is advisable to check that early enough.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DlYW4MUCMVVIhbED2fhApz9n34e_s3RaAJNuFH08Hr6lY_cI1VDQNEcGwuG6AsUuYokTshTBYXRQ2BWBH16BhJVdeBzeBwlYuUnCPO3elN3u0j56tlDHnkJvPDGEA6xuON2Yx-Ox-oxM/s1600/04.cutting+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DlYW4MUCMVVIhbED2fhApz9n34e_s3RaAJNuFH08Hr6lY_cI1VDQNEcGwuG6AsUuYokTshTBYXRQ2BWBH16BhJVdeBzeBwlYuUnCPO3elN3u0j56tlDHnkJvPDGEA6xuON2Yx-Ox-oxM/s400/04.cutting+pieces.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rotary cutter is a great tool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TZYRlYyfTOrg50epkbLqzulHoBPyOpPC1kHsVh3XRefmMkPWmsfN5w_IaDtlemetFKE3ub-jVcGYOA-w3GvbDS7EdcPNoQZBfxrgpMaWloR3w7K596jtbj_ZSCVVqG-LjZ5ntcLAkR3q/s1600/05.all+the+pieces+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TZYRlYyfTOrg50epkbLqzulHoBPyOpPC1kHsVh3XRefmMkPWmsfN5w_IaDtlemetFKE3ub-jVcGYOA-w3GvbDS7EdcPNoQZBfxrgpMaWloR3w7K596jtbj_ZSCVVqG-LjZ5ntcLAkR3q/s400/05.all+the+pieces+together.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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First we will stitch the loop. You will need a special needle for that, one with a 3-side blade. It makes triangular holes. I reinforced this stitch wth two metal staples, using the normal office stapler. This will not be visible when the belt is ready. Then I attatched the buckle and secured with a first row of stitching.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWow41hG6P6pR0E49fzSeranJByLgTqrrQe9x7a_vI1cVF6GforUOeFsdq6ZbQZZs1AILcGsIe96xhOy73Dgt2X7Z0vSDLdCUPROIK6SCec8RTTona8noERVMRZsd6EAu5pxdykMi3fA-A/s1600/06%252Cbegin+to+sew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWow41hG6P6pR0E49fzSeranJByLgTqrrQe9x7a_vI1cVF6GforUOeFsdq6ZbQZZs1AILcGsIe96xhOy73Dgt2X7Z0vSDLdCUPROIK6SCec8RTTona8noERVMRZsd6EAu5pxdykMi3fA-A/s400/06%252Cbegin+to+sew.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then comes the belt loop. Again, we secure it with a second line of stitching. Now the buckle is operative. In the next step I will attatch it to one end of the belt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjrdvLag5G3bwBOgTIj51Depta8d9F50daFO9tw7n2dCJ1eF1VALQx-bLELNNAlcRxcRSpPjLjY3jiQjj6u5m6w4BR1toaxqLAHdaTnvESJLhTUI7aMEP0tTmAeZXmKx6Z-ZlENwbfwU9/s1600/07.the+loop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjrdvLag5G3bwBOgTIj51Depta8d9F50daFO9tw7n2dCJ1eF1VALQx-bLELNNAlcRxcRSpPjLjY3jiQjj6u5m6w4BR1toaxqLAHdaTnvESJLhTUI7aMEP0tTmAeZXmKx6Z-ZlENwbfwU9/s400/07.the+loop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKQ6ltC1bH2CtJd0XLbR3VLLhnAONU6fjtNy6ZHSMBAtpVAi8ycIChOPvdtT0TRmFW1QL-n6prEa0fqayNHC_R39QA9a34-mbhyphenhyphenshebydvNuOuHeSeZtXjopzFwq2png2XT9-Lm7p6aRA/s1600/08.put+it+all+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKQ6ltC1bH2CtJd0XLbR3VLLhnAONU6fjtNy6ZHSMBAtpVAi8ycIChOPvdtT0TRmFW1QL-n6prEa0fqayNHC_R39QA9a34-mbhyphenhyphenshebydvNuOuHeSeZtXjopzFwq2png2XT9-Lm7p6aRA/s400/08.put+it+all+together.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the belt tip, I saw that in my model only part of it went over the belt. I stitched together the pieces befor putting them on the belt, To make sure these two pieces come perfectly together, I glued them together. Glue is a great help for any leatherwork project, as are paper clips and pegs - remember you cannot baste leather!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS67XfGzFwQs58F8_acFeuN0nkPAMpt0su3BwTh8vPClmg09i-Zi9YuDHhoVKKnohksOVPSPuC2-Fg1awPJmK1cIr6N-jEHVXMtL6MN7BnFXwxzbzBsYLOkl1fkCwUpqVYTIJLC53u8BFm/s1600/10.sandwiched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS67XfGzFwQs58F8_acFeuN0nkPAMpt0su3BwTh8vPClmg09i-Zi9YuDHhoVKKnohksOVPSPuC2-Fg1awPJmK1cIr6N-jEHVXMtL6MN7BnFXwxzbzBsYLOkl1fkCwUpqVYTIJLC53u8BFm/s400/10.sandwiched.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCQ6mA30uPk3Z7JCi52vqucpakNZuKRY4bekmbpdxcX1oDo4kslCzBevL09vfwxlIZyb8Ci06VEdPVQOrf2MJPH3gArzEesjZ4xBxuVMEgLPq8IY6t_Uf4sa2DTCkfLjteOnJ5B6RAd7w/s1600/11.finished+tip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCQ6mA30uPk3Z7JCi52vqucpakNZuKRY4bekmbpdxcX1oDo4kslCzBevL09vfwxlIZyb8Ci06VEdPVQOrf2MJPH3gArzEesjZ4xBxuVMEgLPq8IY6t_Uf4sa2DTCkfLjteOnJ5B6RAd7w/s400/11.finished+tip.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It is adviable to punch holes before stitching, however, if you are using soft leather, like mine, and proper needles, you do not necessary have to do it. Also, these pieces are quite small, and there is not much space for it anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0hiA0wjbVNGpQO2Mzm8I2n3ZrANkWtJYVQxB-DYkpRZAeZ5jykanOnkTaJ7Edd1dmyb1EPO4BWUZv58X18c7vtby3A9YG2iiBvIAC_LE5X5d0DOfhsVuRoLd8PmU4uYb3F0T_WOfUIhF/s1600/13%252C+secured.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0hiA0wjbVNGpQO2Mzm8I2n3ZrANkWtJYVQxB-DYkpRZAeZ5jykanOnkTaJ7Edd1dmyb1EPO4BWUZv58X18c7vtby3A9YG2iiBvIAC_LE5X5d0DOfhsVuRoLd8PmU4uYb3F0T_WOfUIhF/s400/13%252C+secured.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last but not least, to secure the loose ends, after you tie them, you can put the rest of it over a lit candle, for a second only, as otherwise the flame may burn or smoulder the belt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7N0ZCsh_BOtZpTsvgbaah8bdeWcpcqOic62UlS6H3uPfbpYP9sGTON1rFe-eAhfB1Gux9i6laZ4Nbsr6vleyM0VadgST9SRV6nrv3IO_viAVGwasEUEeCRcAJnvOOwl6S1oOHKT5oWPo/s1600/12.+finished+belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7N0ZCsh_BOtZpTsvgbaah8bdeWcpcqOic62UlS6H3uPfbpYP9sGTON1rFe-eAhfB1Gux9i6laZ4Nbsr6vleyM0VadgST9SRV6nrv3IO_viAVGwasEUEeCRcAJnvOOwl6S1oOHKT5oWPo/s640/12.+finished+belt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And that's it really! Now I can wear my belt, and you can make yours. You can use this tutorial to make your own belt with a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/240821660/gold-metal-buckle-medium-large-d-buckle" target="_blank">metal</a> or <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/510171738" target="_blank">plastic D-buckle</a>!<br />
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Something a bit off topis. In Spanish, the D-buckles are called 'media luna', like half moon. Isn't that just lovely?Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-50929914256125846892017-09-05T12:17:00.000+02:002017-09-05T12:17:04.075+02:00Mother of pearl buttons and their cheap imitationsMother of pearl buttons, also called nacre buttons, have been used long in any kind of garments In the early 20th century they were the cheap and most popular material, used in all garments, from underwear to winter coats. Nowadays they are popularly used in cardigans, but sometimes also in blouses and dresses.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZghmvsiCCIDWM7x2DRipZas-3-MzvMlbsuH5S9iUpwJoA94h9PDqmBYa-4-XNpHDMIF7TIPgvPtrr6joitYoQztBaUsLTsuz-7Iku271IjbFsIDJeCkSyRTCtuWAQ6b-pv5vo0Jl7QOEQ/s1600/mother+of+pearl+buttons2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZghmvsiCCIDWM7x2DRipZas-3-MzvMlbsuH5S9iUpwJoA94h9PDqmBYa-4-XNpHDMIF7TIPgvPtrr6joitYoQztBaUsLTsuz-7Iku271IjbFsIDJeCkSyRTCtuWAQ6b-pv5vo0Jl7QOEQ/s400/mother+of+pearl+buttons2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/184589948/blush-pink-buttons-made-of-mother-of?ref=shop_home_active_5" target="_blank">light pink buttons</a> are still available in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesVintageButtons" target="_blank">etsy shop</a></td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
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Mother of pearl buttons can be dyed, stained and carved to obtain different textures and colours. Large MOP buttons are rare, as they can be brittle and so, not durable. The smallest shell button I had was just a few mm across. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksADMDpdaCG5dpuzbaIAeQ-JqWq3eD4olyUkis1gUUt7NK1Szi2RT0p-HUj1FscGDYl_YsKo0zahGO0WkziGQvSqkKUixmEbw2teEeo2nvwACFL8_Bqwifv5GRTNOsJKz0SpcWMrKHvSV/s1600/MAIN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1079" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksADMDpdaCG5dpuzbaIAeQ-JqWq3eD4olyUkis1gUUt7NK1Szi2RT0p-HUj1FscGDYl_YsKo0zahGO0WkziGQvSqkKUixmEbw2teEeo2nvwACFL8_Bqwifv5GRTNOsJKz0SpcWMrKHvSV/s400/MAIN.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are all about 10 mm across</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIm45BZNYbP1eJZPqBebI2xnFT6O0IZZwHjOCR8lQ3aoNpnVSwl4oi92h7xtQB59QmE0ADe1wVm-9h3CQq9n2NQzK2C7qAWHZnGPEtkLozCzL7P0QF41g2SGDoXu_A4DyRajBylReHl8t/s1600/close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIm45BZNYbP1eJZPqBebI2xnFT6O0IZZwHjOCR8lQ3aoNpnVSwl4oi92h7xtQB59QmE0ADe1wVm-9h3CQq9n2NQzK2C7qAWHZnGPEtkLozCzL7P0QF41g2SGDoXu_A4DyRajBylReHl8t/s400/close+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/386291536/small-orange-shell-buttons-with-black" target="_blank">modern MOP buttons</a> with a very original print.<br />
It is more durable than the old dyes.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXwJfDWT18zSiq3NBB7Vdq6S_NKmQelJdxgWOmYkobhJTN1eipM45mRhibvRo0QkvHeg3BvAo3UyTgykcnM9hbSJ7KiWpX2YAgFK9MJ9n-Qu5ZydryHqpUu6WvP8-NjN6XG29NTeQuCVv/s1600/button+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1338" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXwJfDWT18zSiq3NBB7Vdq6S_NKmQelJdxgWOmYkobhJTN1eipM45mRhibvRo0QkvHeg3BvAo3UyTgykcnM9hbSJ7KiWpX2YAgFK9MJ9n-Qu5ZydryHqpUu6WvP8-NjN6XG29NTeQuCVv/s400/button+close+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the fine texture carved on the surface of this modern button.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
<br />How to identify MOP buttons</h2>
<div>
It may sound easy, but sometimes it is hard to distinguish between genuine mother of pearl and fake plastic imitation. Look at these, for example:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cpYlLbZ9bbgqY7iv6OxRyeC0V6irftXwNakNstfHG_cJyDzyf-0B54CQasJ7oZY1JI5ngA1CnXmiocHTUMliuh8MD0GAKsBiJlggPBEZJ0WmZx2Rsy4wD8inqOvRCyeCA3KnMqB3TsGN/s1600/no+MOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="957" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cpYlLbZ9bbgqY7iv6OxRyeC0V6irftXwNakNstfHG_cJyDzyf-0B54CQasJ7oZY1JI5ngA1CnXmiocHTUMliuh8MD0GAKsBiJlggPBEZJ0WmZx2Rsy4wD8inqOvRCyeCA3KnMqB3TsGN/s400/no+MOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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None of the buttons in the picture above is actually made of natural shell. They are all simple plastic buttons. Modern nacre buttons, on the other hand, as so well shaped, that at first they look perfectly like plastic. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyz_U6ZjZZJqqlv1DJou__hK1FgJxcDjdIUys-rY3UzagigPHnwtep2LjgYingzx5RSLV1UMOul94OeAnlXycTNSTNHwxJEitRDhvW0vkccgVn71jH0kDSzNtdRZ9arFWkWE_I7SlMXfm/s1600/IMG_8433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyz_U6ZjZZJqqlv1DJou__hK1FgJxcDjdIUys-rY3UzagigPHnwtep2LjgYingzx5RSLV1UMOul94OeAnlXycTNSTNHwxJEitRDhvW0vkccgVn71jH0kDSzNtdRZ9arFWkWE_I7SlMXfm/s400/IMG_8433.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is also a confusion between the genuine mother of pearl and buttons made of moonglow plastic, which are sometimes referred to as nacre. This style was very popular in 1950s, but has nothing to do with the natural shell. </div>
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First of all we have to study the button carefully under the magnifying glass. Nacre is a natural material, which means that no two buttons are the same: they will have micro cracks and chippings, or simply unique iridescent lines. </div>
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Another simple way of knowing what material they are made of is to keep them at room temperature for some time and see if they feel cold to touch. Plastic usually feels neutral, while natural shell will always feel cool. It also makes a different sound.</div>
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<h2>
How to handle nacre buttons</h2>
<div>
Well, obviously with care. Modern MOP buttons are usually thick enough to endure machine washing I also washed my blouse to which I had sewn vintage MOP buttons and they were fine, but after many times washed the colour faded a bit. Larger buttons are better removed before washing. </div>
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It is not recommended, though, to <a href="http://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2016/05/machine-sewing-button.html" target="_blank">machine sew these buttons</a>, as they often have uneven surface and are prone to braking under the presser foot. </div>
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<h2>
Other goodies</h2>
<div>
Mother of pearl buckles are not unusual among vintage haberdashery. They look brittle but in fact they are sturdy enough to be used in dress and coats belts. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEAOnAQBt2wXS1tIHA2HUxLygNUyUsr1n_qzZgRZN2gQ-MxSEHlYiHu9UwVA9nb5dse3VDSY51taDqaIkWJaG_rxkCLPhF0O8Ff3HaMA6Nps5ZaS-FmkYz6TgXU0mOqGYP6R4DAKhwqgw/s1600/main+43+mm+tall+1+11szesnastych.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEAOnAQBt2wXS1tIHA2HUxLygNUyUsr1n_qzZgRZN2gQ-MxSEHlYiHu9UwVA9nb5dse3VDSY51taDqaIkWJaG_rxkCLPhF0O8Ff3HaMA6Nps5ZaS-FmkYz6TgXU0mOqGYP6R4DAKhwqgw/s400/main+43+mm+tall+1+11szesnastych.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nacre inlay was also a popular technique of embellishing antique haberdashery. This 1930s casein buckle has a white stripe on one side. It is made of mother of pearl.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2yJ04ome3qBnP3oZmVi23sGdHuhnlFwai-GFYhZ6wDNofQo3QFS7rK2zGbgVUVDYxsgDAUb3gxw-3cR1IIcunwhmvEc6wo-ZG6CTd5vteGF6DnNGZxsEcy0Q8cjAIpLVSPnKSKn194pr/s1600/nain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2yJ04ome3qBnP3oZmVi23sGdHuhnlFwai-GFYhZ6wDNofQo3QFS7rK2zGbgVUVDYxsgDAUb3gxw-3cR1IIcunwhmvEc6wo-ZG6CTd5vteGF6DnNGZxsEcy0Q8cjAIpLVSPnKSKn194pr/s400/nain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And last but not least, some unusual shell buttons, but not mother of pearl. The brown dots are the natural pattern these shells develop, yet they look like some kind of other animal print. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC10pBCfqGW3D4kONR4Cky6twUhO8fCEzppuHkUyWpS8y7z0vcYWbmsgd8GX61yTQrMiekRfCfVZitJMXezN0_cy_VszFIWp-7FJHcByGE5WnmUn2bTMESX3aHfwqoLxFaAOqNzRgVgylA/s1600/5+buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC10pBCfqGW3D4kONR4Cky6twUhO8fCEzppuHkUyWpS8y7z0vcYWbmsgd8GX61yTQrMiekRfCfVZitJMXezN0_cy_VszFIWp-7FJHcByGE5WnmUn2bTMESX3aHfwqoLxFaAOqNzRgVgylA/s640/5+buttons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-70707264586297459352017-08-19T15:14:00.000+02:002017-08-19T15:14:41.101+02:00Recycle your bubble envelopes!While it is necessary to use envelopes with plastic bubble wrap to cusion the buttons and other goods, there doesn't seem to be an alternative as yet, like paper filling for these envelopes or something (If you have seen one - do let me know!). However, there is a way to make it a bit more environment-friendly.<br />
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If you cut the sides of the envelope, you will sii that the bubble wrap and the paper are separate layers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Yc2AS1nZPE0SydfMu_b2JZ94UpOm0FQ6GVM8mB39xreORARwJ6_MjyF6Xaz2mrPxEW854lJ2z8qmKv_WT06FN5jvfPNcXGXQvraml8nSTyCABpKuNu0SJz9JRK-XnbfYMO7GSRXPghVS/s1600/envelope+cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Yc2AS1nZPE0SydfMu_b2JZ94UpOm0FQ6GVM8mB39xreORARwJ6_MjyF6Xaz2mrPxEW854lJ2z8qmKv_WT06FN5jvfPNcXGXQvraml8nSTyCABpKuNu0SJz9JRK-XnbfYMO7GSRXPghVS/s640/envelope+cut.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once separated, you can reuse the bubble wrap. It also makes it easier to recycle the paper. Mind, that you cannot place the cut sides along with the pure paper, as it is permanently attatched.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaDnMr-gf-QMpCnYSWFbeYSOU07OIseGWdvcjP-b5HR21szduaLvQIXsgrIG-2r_FBnRyl9TrauuR5X2m7fqa4Ex3SxVDLntxsFSvnQcXGcL3uwLyP8spQkYfCzQ5lKIwJd8WS_7n8MZx/s1600/reusable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaDnMr-gf-QMpCnYSWFbeYSOU07OIseGWdvcjP-b5HR21szduaLvQIXsgrIG-2r_FBnRyl9TrauuR5X2m7fqa4Ex3SxVDLntxsFSvnQcXGcL3uwLyP8spQkYfCzQ5lKIwJd8WS_7n8MZx/s640/reusable.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The bad news is that the majority of the envelopes produced in the USA does not allow to separate the plastic and paper layers. The European envelopes, though, mostly do. The bubble wrap in my orders is all recycled - it came to me or people from my family along with their on-line purchases, such as books and small electronics. And I do encourage you to reuse it. If not, at least recycle it along wiith the rest of the plastic. I have a feeling that in, say, a hundred years we will be fishing for plastic in the ocean, because new plastic will be scarce, as the oil reserves are already shrinking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRI2U_d9T2a6QL58VogYPYDhRpdJELyF1WoT6Ag97MnqLu-kQnBjVtbLpP16OBFuCuYX7Ub2VFwtQ7OSYpuyTLbxfy3qLp5EMw50eEEAE0N_A7DAGqA5_kTEymJUzhyphenhyphenqDT13bG1YNwduI/s1600/reused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRI2U_d9T2a6QL58VogYPYDhRpdJELyF1WoT6Ag97MnqLu-kQnBjVtbLpP16OBFuCuYX7Ub2VFwtQ7OSYpuyTLbxfy3qLp5EMw50eEEAE0N_A7DAGqA5_kTEymJUzhyphenhyphenqDT13bG1YNwduI/s640/reused.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hopefully they find a better solution to the envelopes soon!Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-7081599758208762512017-06-04T14:09:00.002+02:002022-12-18T22:26:10.496+01:00Sewing with vintage buttonsAs you probably know, I am a sewist myself and the original purpose was to make garments using the my vintage button findings. I am still into it, though I must admit there is less and less time left for sewing. Today I would like to show you a few items I made using buttons from my collection.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrbyxvXS_Ma37ph3YoIMf2iqGfnUOUWlt3_y-J81F_QD5LqdrOWyz-N-4-Rsmi58LAM756xTZ4251p7OMV-1O15oBylzEyFNmXlDGaFmdGvT9jup2rqj8aNQbf7pGmpL9c-kI6wUNm_ZJ/s1600/r%25C3%25B3%25C5%25BCowa+bluzeczka+guziczki.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="two black buttons on the blouse" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrbyxvXS_Ma37ph3YoIMf2iqGfnUOUWlt3_y-J81F_QD5LqdrOWyz-N-4-Rsmi58LAM756xTZ4251p7OMV-1O15oBylzEyFNmXlDGaFmdGvT9jup2rqj8aNQbf7pGmpL9c-kI6wUNm_ZJ/w240-h320/r%25C3%25B3%25C5%25BCowa+bluzeczka+guziczki.jpg" title="black vintage buttons" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhSvByy3z_J5jfnD1DgMAlbYxQb6fw3Y3UALKCXDKsWJa_6gY7xNPuvMtzIxPvw1ovybcRDJccRblx3Ba5AIXcAZ9RKP1jIus_wlitbPbMRL-6XijcDXUNo7DfhzK6ODOIstrxOM1znTF/s1600/r%25C3%25B3%25C5%25BCowa+bluzeczka+sama.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A person wearing a light pink blouse" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhSvByy3z_J5jfnD1DgMAlbYxQb6fw3Y3UALKCXDKsWJa_6gY7xNPuvMtzIxPvw1ovybcRDJccRblx3Ba5AIXcAZ9RKP1jIus_wlitbPbMRL-6XijcDXUNo7DfhzK6ODOIstrxOM1znTF/w296-h320/r%25C3%25B3%25C5%25BCowa+bluzeczka+sama.jpg" title="wrap blouse with buttons" width="296" /></a></div>
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The first one is a retro-inspired blouse with button closure. I used two small black buttons in ball shape. </div>
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The second sewing project features a dress, to which I added a collar with a big cookie button. I love these big celluloid buttons! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1qKoxFqtlmLfxQrjdZkH96Nwi3c63W0s54sLsE_CRYdP48b3JV7CB1IGxEMGRXZ7XJ-9oH70hps854F1s7mVtDOdY5ajkZGpOJ7_umfsD5x-GcjmPcdKITj46ZjCsXAA8bal4RyyPmKW/s1600/ko%25C5%2582nierzy+z+guziczkiem.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="White collar with huge black button" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1qKoxFqtlmLfxQrjdZkH96Nwi3c63W0s54sLsE_CRYdP48b3JV7CB1IGxEMGRXZ7XJ-9oH70hps854F1s7mVtDOdY5ajkZGpOJ7_umfsD5x-GcjmPcdKITj46ZjCsXAA8bal4RyyPmKW/w400-h305/ko%25C5%2582nierzy+z+guziczkiem.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVHEcfrnwtBGEwiRlfnUzKma-7uSe1e2eg-YiyGLTE5c2-D9BqwwXFzynm7S46PxUKhVHI0_xA6a3oIG639Fhnm1GYkm4Mfb4CasTJ27h0A-ueERsjukSHpfaRo34gsydU5D68cnAdIg2/s1600/DSC0008324.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a girl wearing a black dress and a whit coat" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVHEcfrnwtBGEwiRlfnUzKma-7uSe1e2eg-YiyGLTE5c2-D9BqwwXFzynm7S46PxUKhVHI0_xA6a3oIG639Fhnm1GYkm4Mfb4CasTJ27h0A-ueERsjukSHpfaRo34gsydU5D68cnAdIg2/w212-h320/DSC0008324.jpg" title="the dress" width="212" /></a></div>
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The third one is a pair of simple trousers, to which I added a very special button. This design was popular with the Oktoberfest fans. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIpTBM3yWzvKLnNWJqsIU5t7dRAcdBVwJfhMDFqSSrOvvQMGe4pM2yiiSplEilrFoEwW8dd6Pq2wsco5siaKRlsPAaaYJPWtBwXQIaTdQkgL5GP8kPgY6qrblGpf9ctpOuKxXw0BrHJtu/s1600/guzik.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Metal button on pants" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIpTBM3yWzvKLnNWJqsIU5t7dRAcdBVwJfhMDFqSSrOvvQMGe4pM2yiiSplEilrFoEwW8dd6Pq2wsco5siaKRlsPAaaYJPWtBwXQIaTdQkgL5GP8kPgY6qrblGpf9ctpOuKxXw0BrHJtu/w320-h240/guzik.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCYO9_1IZIgi1I7zb0rdKmQ1UgR-cLmikDY4DBfAwjhopRu_JSrLSSCKUAVYRlpeTNfL9hRlVKxfMtz7EaSfObx6RO1dzSH-7tI3w-4h_q3C-1oTRAv_HaGFtSmJ2HZq0NStbFnvDT_IF/s1600/spodnie.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="green trousers" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCYO9_1IZIgi1I7zb0rdKmQ1UgR-cLmikDY4DBfAwjhopRu_JSrLSSCKUAVYRlpeTNfL9hRlVKxfMtz7EaSfObx6RO1dzSH-7tI3w-4h_q3C-1oTRAv_HaGFtSmJ2HZq0NStbFnvDT_IF/w225-h320/spodnie.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Another one is a blouse, again, retro-inspired, for which I used the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/184589948/blush-pink-buttons-made-of-mother-of" target="_blank">pink mother of pearl buttons</a>. These are still available in my shop. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nsrqbSkKDd1c706CeN3lhnPsyEHj-96dK5r95NDqrEQUxar_P9udUL_Ti5rOQU1pifKUl8OmuM-EYGB2xPGpQFZaxXXoChAyZO9zlKKSQ9IRY_zdpsfuecsdtJIeUaTIB7CRGmI4R5Hp/s1600/Detal1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cute pink blouse with mother of pearl buttons" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nsrqbSkKDd1c706CeN3lhnPsyEHj-96dK5r95NDqrEQUxar_P9udUL_Ti5rOQU1pifKUl8OmuM-EYGB2xPGpQFZaxXXoChAyZO9zlKKSQ9IRY_zdpsfuecsdtJIeUaTIB7CRGmI4R5Hp/w400-h266/Detal1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yet another blouse, this time made of sheer fabric. I used small pearly plastic buttons for this style, to match the plumetti pattern on the fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3XMQAH4UBGODicUj95XEnSxrIhV0b06nYQ2aBpuj1gsNc3Z0HoXOvPFcSps9_TtswGHgfEsC5SKf6YR-praZUxUIh0l4GklUSmiolVdG7VBDaBVs-imViuaQBka5wDG8HPhyphenhyphenNH5vdBnk/s1600/bluzeczka+na+tle+muru.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A girl wearing a sheer white blouse and a black mini skirt" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3XMQAH4UBGODicUj95XEnSxrIhV0b06nYQ2aBpuj1gsNc3Z0HoXOvPFcSps9_TtswGHgfEsC5SKf6YR-praZUxUIh0l4GklUSmiolVdG7VBDaBVs-imViuaQBka5wDG8HPhyphenhyphenNH5vdBnk/w240-h320/bluzeczka+na+tle+muru.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eOUeC2iEWvuU9A1X7L8FhsYhUZVACDUUsN2aMLGWByV9nXGU-Wj9gXgFSTK4naM_nnb7xusfcl1KrplHHi6GpRFit3y_l7hg0AJ9bE11mh8rfLvA14RnHu8YP_etGCSWKQqtr3YpCNx8/s1600/r%25C4%2599kawek.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="White sleeve cuff with a vintage button" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eOUeC2iEWvuU9A1X7L8FhsYhUZVACDUUsN2aMLGWByV9nXGU-Wj9gXgFSTK4naM_nnb7xusfcl1KrplHHi6GpRFit3y_l7hg0AJ9bE11mh8rfLvA14RnHu8YP_etGCSWKQqtr3YpCNx8/w320-h240/r%25C4%2599kawek.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Increasingly, I have strated using the belt buckles for my projects, as you can see from one of my previous posts.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfOw2qUtOJvVkUf_QJ45JtfEji-APgiGCy3LXLCskv6W1VvELhZY1cyEDahwIb4vPwRolRZ4upaxk92ILK_U9qsopZkHlFBOQy5YeMLQtK56JNXS8P80AP3HamsJ8unCn_fzHpQlBop11/s1600/sukienka+barn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A girl wearing a yellow dress with a belt" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfOw2qUtOJvVkUf_QJ45JtfEji-APgiGCy3LXLCskv6W1VvELhZY1cyEDahwIb4vPwRolRZ4upaxk92ILK_U9qsopZkHlFBOQy5YeMLQtK56JNXS8P80AP3HamsJ8unCn_fzHpQlBop11/w400-h266/sukienka+barn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This retro-inspired dress has gained so much thanks to the belt!</td></tr>
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And my vintage paterns, too!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDy6fVNtasOAcA8G0B9HFchKMcCAIRMrP8donEV-Y-FXJvP3hpaaELzw4cyA_S4CaU66UJ4gy2oiemEzV1Hac47ZX7N6PBu_yYioayQb-g4bkkZV9lcTH0Dxh3ni6t4H7GlRuYdp_ulrO/s1600/another.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A girl wearing a black and white top with white rose buttons" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDy6fVNtasOAcA8G0B9HFchKMcCAIRMrP8donEV-Y-FXJvP3hpaaELzw4cyA_S4CaU66UJ4gy2oiemEzV1Hac47ZX7N6PBu_yYioayQb-g4bkkZV9lcTH0Dxh3ni6t4H7GlRuYdp_ulrO/w348-h400/another.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is based of the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/517287923/1950s-vintage-pattern-advance-6953" target="_blank">Advence 6953</a> pattern I sell in my shop.<br />
I traced the blouse pieces onto paper before folding them up and putting on sale.</td></tr>
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I have an ambitious plan to keep going, and using both vintage patterns and buttons. I will be posting the info about the progress on this blog, as well as my Polish blog, <a href="https://wmoimstyluwmojejszafie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">WMoimStyluWMojejSzafie</a>.<br />
Also, you can follow <a href="https://es.pinterest.com/inesframbuesita/my-sewing-projects/" target="_blank">my pinterest board</a>, where I share all my sewing projects.Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-42682509679044266562017-05-22T00:30:00.002+02:002017-05-22T00:31:05.822+02:00Etsy Studio - a revolution?When etsy announced they were going to open a new platform for selling craft supplies, I tought: great! now my buttons will be visible in two places! Then, this whole process began with adding attributes and so on. It is a bit complicated if you have over 1000 listings overall (I can't image having over 10 000 listings and facing this change...). Anyway, I decided to do it little by little, and starting with the listings which were most affected, as their category changed so much that it no longer represented what they were. I am sure some listings are still not updated.<br />
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Now that <a href="https://www.etsystudio.com/shop/AgnesVintageButtons" target="_blank">Etsy Studio</a> has been launched, I must say I am a bit disappointed.<br />
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First of all, its design is not very attractive. My etsy shop has a colourful background picture and lots of other features, like presentation, extra photos, etsy updates (that was such a great idea!), my customers' reviews and more. Etsy Studio version is sober, scrapped of any extra pictures or content. But I guess it was meant to be like this to help buyers focus on what they are really looking for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UXdy5GQ9bVlByiBhdIM_BfWLo5V8CDMVj7H_RbkkS_xUXOSOAQy0fUKU9PBhifE0DgoBKuNTiowjaDAVhfE71Vn_1H8Kc7iuuPzjsCHsrSllK_SukjN_RqxaYQpM7r95yKawmsP7V6jt/s1600/etsy+Studio+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UXdy5GQ9bVlByiBhdIM_BfWLo5V8CDMVj7H_RbkkS_xUXOSOAQy0fUKU9PBhifE0DgoBKuNTiowjaDAVhfE71Vn_1H8Kc7iuuPzjsCHsrSllK_SukjN_RqxaYQpM7r95yKawmsP7V6jt/s640/etsy+Studio+shop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And slowly, but steadily, my Etsy Studio visits are increasing. I guess it takes time, like any website, no mattter how big.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEHyZ6o41mJEWZFGlV9jtY7G7SgZakAZtFcqzFgXwvuLrrtl85d50tnF0ceykcv_IRi_-NqHGesNNUAWNIYjowMCYSgHY7cUeptEv-WaFADN3cfEjCKtfpk8OQDJ5scL3zH-8pm853tAe/s1600/stats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEHyZ6o41mJEWZFGlV9jtY7G7SgZakAZtFcqzFgXwvuLrrtl85d50tnF0ceykcv_IRi_-NqHGesNNUAWNIYjowMCYSgHY7cUeptEv-WaFADN3cfEjCKtfpk8OQDJ5scL3zH-8pm853tAe/s400/stats.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are some good features, though, like zooming in the pictures, available on the item page. At last the quality pictures will be fully appreciated.<br />
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The items are divided automatically into categories, and to be able to find an item we are interested in, we need to open lots of subcategories, in order to narrow down the choice. Another good feature is selection by colour, which did not worked well on etsy as it depended on how a picture was read by a robot. So if you photographed an item against, say, a green background, then etsy would understand that you are selling a green item. Etsy Studio makes the selection according to the the attributes set by the shop owner, which makes so much more sense.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jifAsf_GWo9_5oLRCAtX_MXA6otIMfXpGnkbd0lmwtHz61boxc80eD4bPtyyWJtz-702H__QyCszFvIfgMJNgKP6lcF5G6H8esGW7RyyDZjA6R1yoUwwD923rOjNr_USN4iJQVte6RQx/s1600/colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jifAsf_GWo9_5oLRCAtX_MXA6otIMfXpGnkbd0lmwtHz61boxc80eD4bPtyyWJtz-702H__QyCszFvIfgMJNgKP6lcF5G6H8esGW7RyyDZjA6R1yoUwwD923rOjNr_USN4iJQVte6RQx/s640/colour.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, if you want a <i>buckle </i>in a certain colour, not a button, you still have to narrow down the results using all the categories and sub categories. Sometimes it is easier to use the search.<br />
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Another good feature is the possibility of selectng several colours at the same time, but there is a drawback: if you are looking for, say, something in white, the robot will show you all the items which are white OR have white as the secondary colour. I think at this point I will stop indicating the scondary colour, unless it makes at least 50% of the total. Alternatively, I would choose it if the main colour is not clearly categorised, as is the case of these buckles:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCu8GcU5iS6MEurB_LrxjWRjqRo_r53x0P2r8ab9KOSABdj9ndtQJMMFDQWjshDhbCq5EXWC-I5oY5XaTW9gYFXren2pFrHSkYIR503ffk55vXowCyFB5yGXIy2rdul9gwn6wxv453tta/s1600/perly+buckles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCu8GcU5iS6MEurB_LrxjWRjqRo_r53x0P2r8ab9KOSABdj9ndtQJMMFDQWjshDhbCq5EXWC-I5oY5XaTW9gYFXren2pFrHSkYIR503ffk55vXowCyFB5yGXIy2rdul9gwn6wxv453tta/s400/perly+buckles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/518408384/round-buckle-in-pearly-cream-colour" target="_blank">Yellow or beige</a>? I would, of course, use 'cream' but, unfortunatley, there is no such option.</td></tr>
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My biggest complaint is about the common materials missing from the attributes. Well, I can accept that celluloid, casein and bakelite are all kinds of plastic. But what about mother of pearl? Or glass? These are not available to select for buttons (or buckles - I do have some <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/398127183/grey-glass-buckle-with-silver-trim?ga_search_query=glass+buckle" target="_blank">glass buckles</a>!). It would not be so scandalous if there weren't so many kinds of metal to choose from. Etsy offered me a way of suggesting new categories, though which I submittted several requests. Now I am waiting for new materials to appear (I hope not in vain).<br />
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All in all, I am really happy that my buttons are now visible in two different spaces - this is always an advantage. Nevertheless, I have yet to get my first Etsy Studio order. For now, users still prefer to shop for my items via etsy.com. I can't blame them - I use Etsy and not Etsy Studio when looking for and buying stuff myself.Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-15853551705700655282017-05-17T18:56:00.003+02:002017-06-04T15:11:37.715+02:00How to make a soft belt with a buckleI love buckles without prongs, which make perfect belt sliders. They are easy to sew, easy to fasten, and turn out to be discreet if you have to loosen your belt after a meal. ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZMpBv49BvjOMIx9hubsVDc-atJ75BXFnDJwaSgevjptTObBLvI9TKX-eNXOTe5LFP6vWqXb86tMQpftPrSvpnTZ_Yw2WUFcUU6kRkBJfZgAFF7GWH_JNSKLUYD6JeQ6UcsmzOuJahh-0/s1600/sewing+a+belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZMpBv49BvjOMIx9hubsVDc-atJ75BXFnDJwaSgevjptTObBLvI9TKX-eNXOTe5LFP6vWqXb86tMQpftPrSvpnTZ_Yw2WUFcUU6kRkBJfZgAFF7GWH_JNSKLUYD6JeQ6UcsmzOuJahh-0/s640/sewing+a+belt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made this belt for my retro-inspired dress. It is in a very light yellow colour and I had a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/205508660" target="_blank">plastic buckle</a> in exactly same tone.<br />
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You do not necessarily need a buckle without a prong as you can easily take out the metal prong (<a href="http://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2016/06/how-to-take-prong-off-buckle.html" target="_blank">click here to learn how to do it</a>). Plastic prongs, however, are not that easy to remove and usually mean damaging the buckle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONFlgu_Oy0yXgO3-8nkbL29RelSH-WY3_37RDXgO_Hd6f15XitS58DzhSpQyqEeWw9FLrUNpFAvhUlFbnJECEHiPJmLssq1yo0Sa5p5WH1iwW185JF_qfZdU8nhQkC7KRb7W7c0X-Y0p0/s1600/no+prong+now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONFlgu_Oy0yXgO3-8nkbL29RelSH-WY3_37RDXgO_Hd6f15XitS58DzhSpQyqEeWw9FLrUNpFAvhUlFbnJECEHiPJmLssq1yo0Sa5p5WH1iwW185JF_qfZdU8nhQkC7KRb7W7c0X-Y0p0/s640/no+prong+now.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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First, of course, we have to sew the belt. I made it from the same fabric as the dress. As the buckle was for a 26 mm/1 inch belt, I used 10cm/ 4 inches of the fabric, Ironing is the most important part of belt making. First fold it in two, and then each part has to be folded in two again, making 4 layers of fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RYv9jS9M6zL3niMHttAWjK6QZXPrz1Xq8U38T8f9kuFWS0TPbHRqwqxW9xZTMhEk3VB-8eyySVpK8KGT1ljqip6dlwo1jx6yVErizVSu1RtB93_cWDwHfHbJzVOGrCjPEF0iqk9OshcE/s1600/ironing+the+belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RYv9jS9M6zL3niMHttAWjK6QZXPrz1Xq8U38T8f9kuFWS0TPbHRqwqxW9xZTMhEk3VB-8eyySVpK8KGT1ljqip6dlwo1jx6yVErizVSu1RtB93_cWDwHfHbJzVOGrCjPEF0iqk9OshcE/s640/ironing+the+belt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once finished, make sure that it is the right size for your buckle. Now is the time to make the tip. You can just fold it to the inside and make a squared head by sewing the open seam, but perhaps it is more esthetic and practical to make it pointed or rounded.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9X39XEmYiZ-PgF3zyoBmVRbmXJONX6RgPxvujrBRiL4qOlcWVhh01LOuBS1hqXPnpnyc1uA10yJAfK-GJ4KeyHfsmkFsNzY1UEBGlILhheOhmo39CYMgu_K8q4prUArUA6ZaMeyojR98/s1600/tip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9X39XEmYiZ-PgF3zyoBmVRbmXJONX6RgPxvujrBRiL4qOlcWVhh01LOuBS1hqXPnpnyc1uA10yJAfK-GJ4KeyHfsmkFsNzY1UEBGlILhheOhmo39CYMgu_K8q4prUArUA6ZaMeyojR98/s400/tip.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Having done that you can start sewing, along the open edge. I use this presser foot for a greater accuracy. See the picture below to understand better how it works. You will need to adjust the distance from the needle. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchHUFM7nXelgqsseMVotv5BaA3U3aLQG1_M5Oo26GydRggQqaFhnc7a9Ok5LHIxKlbVI8XwUF2TIAuHL8DsEkPE5ANTqquJA4oti6mSEcNlqMeQc4-eVVIGR23sxhxFvAxl8wOPeRYHlN/s1600/sewing+the+right+presser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchHUFM7nXelgqsseMVotv5BaA3U3aLQG1_M5Oo26GydRggQqaFhnc7a9Ok5LHIxKlbVI8XwUF2TIAuHL8DsEkPE5ANTqquJA4oti6mSEcNlqMeQc4-eVVIGR23sxhxFvAxl8wOPeRYHlN/s400/sewing+the+right+presser.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5YPso6t5SOwx9wLE7-R8VbotAsyeIe4avAI00MIVtOr5zWRODofNUWyrwoot1vc0FVSMz_syncMNuaGsiUELg9PFHOdzjPo0hk2h8C9GjyXNDVwRcS2TWL3E0D6E3lBlTMh9VCbIhmGg/s1600/sewing+belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5YPso6t5SOwx9wLE7-R8VbotAsyeIe4avAI00MIVtOr5zWRODofNUWyrwoot1vc0FVSMz_syncMNuaGsiUELg9PFHOdzjPo0hk2h8C9GjyXNDVwRcS2TWL3E0D6E3lBlTMh9VCbIhmGg/s400/sewing+belt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our belt is almost ready. Time to attatch the buckle. With the raw end, make a loop around the central bar. Fold the raw edge to the inside. Make sure you allow enough space to fit under your presser foot! Alternatively, you can hand-stitch it underneath. Anyhow, make sure it looks neat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgkDFPb5q5vk7YUxMziR1r2yN38ONZiT6lIC70hiJbrHwClGt4ZzISG_aZdxUs3Ut5uy4QjtPITQaN8nFm9qCsTWpNmxx9W30f2isWl9zS7qxDbIxTzelbXPqgwZD289xSHtUmI0bu_EC/s1600/sewing+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgkDFPb5q5vk7YUxMziR1r2yN38ONZiT6lIC70hiJbrHwClGt4ZzISG_aZdxUs3Ut5uy4QjtPITQaN8nFm9qCsTWpNmxx9W30f2isWl9zS7qxDbIxTzelbXPqgwZD289xSHtUmI0bu_EC/s640/sewing+final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And that's it! My dress is even more retro-like! Now I am going to made small loops on the sides of the dress to keep the belt in place, though it doeasn't really fall anyway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rFq4qlZ0c2ZOFkj-JrqRXSlJv9oC2X0KGFsECs5EF77a5Q9qzlIup3R9-8YO3EwK1B_8ekr2I8Sq2r-teXIJe00709oU1Vlr7b0-l_IysLU0yEg3qVAq-GOHmtUuunry-miZGzHnbJRl/s1600/sukienka+barn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rFq4qlZ0c2ZOFkj-JrqRXSlJv9oC2X0KGFsECs5EF77a5Q9qzlIup3R9-8YO3EwK1B_8ekr2I8Sq2r-teXIJe00709oU1Vlr7b0-l_IysLU0yEg3qVAq-GOHmtUuunry-miZGzHnbJRl/s640/sukienka+barn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This style is based on Burdastyle pattern. I made the dress many months ago.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELWpg44S89HtUOcVhM5-QKJfRy_CUWmXCeqCimlcpjPvfRtZYBTwHcq-bN8ppRuoeyoZ558-wpgar4zb0wtWVEGUeW0G08Q-pC2SnLX0cjMfTc_lm7svaKVnFg8CVgw-sVi8OdBdhyphenhyphenWiV/s1600/sukienka+barn+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELWpg44S89HtUOcVhM5-QKJfRy_CUWmXCeqCimlcpjPvfRtZYBTwHcq-bN8ppRuoeyoZ558-wpgar4zb0wtWVEGUeW0G08Q-pC2SnLX0cjMfTc_lm7svaKVnFg8CVgw-sVi8OdBdhyphenhyphenWiV/s640/sukienka+barn+door.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I fond this dress looks amazing against this blue barn door. </td></tr>
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Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-6422075835498330152017-04-19T15:50:00.003+02:002017-04-19T15:50:52.043+02:00Black glass or jet? There is a popular misconception that 'jet' is simply black glass. However, it refers to a completely different material, which was extremely popular in Victorian times, during the queen's mourning. The fact that black glass buttons became extremely fashionable is just because they were a cheaper substitute for the genuine jet buttons worn by the queen Victoria herself after the death of her husband. Polished jet looks so similar to black glass that it is difficult to tell the difference at first. However, there are a few details that can help us tell them apart.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9d-bVfaOWVweQQpv0s_H5CvRkPZNOBNC0oFAJd4OQLmp5nI_Nm1Ya9cnJK7as9hrJr5TZhakHZ2O7bLzPZMWzs4wgDaabM5J__Rt7ah7MDHDx1c5nAx-hzdIzyqNCgV2WDT0J7EwJYVN1/s1600/genuine+jet+buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9d-bVfaOWVweQQpv0s_H5CvRkPZNOBNC0oFAJd4OQLmp5nI_Nm1Ya9cnJK7as9hrJr5TZhakHZ2O7bLzPZMWzs4wgDaabM5J__Rt7ah7MDHDx1c5nAx-hzdIzyqNCgV2WDT0J7EwJYVN1/s400/genuine+jet+buttons.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny jet buttons</td></tr>
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Jet is a mineral, a stone, which means, these buttons are not cast, like glass buttons, but cut and then shaped, ground, polished etc. using some milling machinery. If they have a self shank, it is made from the same piece and is always seamless...<br />
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Black glass buttons from the Victorian times usually have metal shanks. Only in the twentieth century did they start to be manufactured with molded self shanks. There were different kinds of shanks used in the process. The oldest include shank plates over, what was called, swirl backs. It was part of the manufacturing process. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljvrk7souOiDoXATEXsXFjCPbi7PTqkju2DVZ9T2yJ2N4H9GC2QJg-dTxltgMgdFNa5IF6ttDh5sRmzl8gJCIj7BDTUptwwBJQyEZwxRP9roiLuPDTqiuQ9nHdUQR6vEGTbgGdcfpVApb/s1600/box+shhank+black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljvrk7souOiDoXATEXsXFjCPbi7PTqkju2DVZ9T2yJ2N4H9GC2QJg-dTxltgMgdFNa5IF6ttDh5sRmzl8gJCIj7BDTUptwwBJQyEZwxRP9roiLuPDTqiuQ9nHdUQR6vEGTbgGdcfpVApb/s400/box+shhank+black.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A box shank also indicates that a button is older. This black button is from ca. 1920s the latest. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
The surface of a jet button can be polished smoothly, which is when they resemble the shiny glass buttons most. However, jet buttons can have mat finish, which is not likely to be achieved on glass. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMhLppTZkUYz2plRg9YH9dMsn_6KvjcgXKfkM3u1g4TWBCFeDmOTKk5gDZTL4eDVm1A7_-Y9wHYjTh4R4FkOhlgKeFlZv011Kg7FvwbHxSH4jOryHpWfjEj96CcdOsyVVBRidv0d5UoGH/s1600/button+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMhLppTZkUYz2plRg9YH9dMsn_6KvjcgXKfkM3u1g4TWBCFeDmOTKk5gDZTL4eDVm1A7_-Y9wHYjTh4R4FkOhlgKeFlZv011Kg7FvwbHxSH4jOryHpWfjEj96CcdOsyVVBRidv0d5UoGH/s320/button+close+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These jet buttons have carvings that make them look as if made of woven leather. </td></tr>
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<div>
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<div>
Jet is very brittle. So is glass - you will say. Nevertheless, they break and get damaged in different ways. Glass is likely to produce chipping and crazing. Jet just breaks in two or more pieces. The chippings are more as if indented. Crazing is unlikely. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BaCN2wXKtGVnMdMShUxk4BPFVKrIKtPIeNjLlGi3k-EOJ0IkL8Y8S3okCzkB9m8wI8tLXW3kKXt5AoRm9n7GoMa-84F-oJUHHxdFWy-iK0Oi4CKjdLJG0nf529wLvhNuMYFX18iXYCk6/s1600/large+button+crazing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BaCN2wXKtGVnMdMShUxk4BPFVKrIKtPIeNjLlGi3k-EOJ0IkL8Y8S3okCzkB9m8wI8tLXW3kKXt5AoRm9n7GoMa-84F-oJUHHxdFWy-iK0Oi4CKjdLJG0nf529wLvhNuMYFX18iXYCk6/s640/large+button+crazing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazing is what happens to the glass buttons with age. These wrinkles are tiny cracks on the surface, but the piece still holds together. This does not happen to jet buttons, as they would have already broken apart.</td></tr>
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<div>
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<div>
Many say that the easiest way to tell is by weight, as jet is lighter than glass. I have heard suggestions that jet will float on water (!?), then, that it would float but only in seawater. Well, I haven't tried it with sea water, but it did sink in a glass of tap water. </div>
<div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
The difference between jet and black glass is quite difficult to perceive, but I think that with naked eye and some experience we will be able to tell jet from glass without risking losing a button on the seabed. </div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-c1XdUkwAef2UySLR7pcWMA2hVDvdjkKwkJIcxUvOyfafOpK1HQzqMKXcsIrreJi0vHtLHe3mxjpe6esxwTpxpn67Jq4W8b4yiEwsvNDHT0ebSZwycFUNgduTtl01bmtQe6RK7MGw8m7/s1600/large+lacy+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-c1XdUkwAef2UySLR7pcWMA2hVDvdjkKwkJIcxUvOyfafOpK1HQzqMKXcsIrreJi0vHtLHe3mxjpe6esxwTpxpn67Jq4W8b4yiEwsvNDHT0ebSZwycFUNgduTtl01bmtQe6RK7MGw8m7/s640/large+lacy+button.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lacy pattern on a vintage glass button: this is an example of Victorian times design. <br />
Instead of mat finish we can see a very fine texture on its surface. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-68231065916048081972017-03-14T16:40:00.003+01:002017-03-15T13:04:01.109+01:00How to mend broken vintage pattern piecesEveryone who has at least once attempted to sew a vintage style using old patterns probably found themselves in a situation, where they had to repair a damaged piece. Today I will tell you how I mend my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesVintageButtons?section_id=20467888" target="_blank">sewing patterns</a>. The main problem with repairing these patterns is that they have to remain fit for ironing.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBctfkngV-U85WnGLcajLk3lkx8etLJr4WTCCM4dBObhuBEJUEbfozqUcJ3sCNABH3jd2bEW7K25yiLupCxBejK1NLiCWE1MWiQyPmn2ZXu07QSJwaSjgEOAQjJaZMRklxjkm2x3SDhshR/s1600/pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBctfkngV-U85WnGLcajLk3lkx8etLJr4WTCCM4dBObhuBEJUEbfozqUcJ3sCNABH3jd2bEW7K25yiLupCxBejK1NLiCWE1MWiQyPmn2ZXu07QSJwaSjgEOAQjJaZMRklxjkm2x3SDhshR/s400/pattern.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a fabulous style with open back but the previous owner decided to make <br />
an alteration and cut the main <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/518507197/mccalls-4836-dress-pattern-1970s-jersey" target="_blank">dress pattern</a> piece.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGt1oyq1BL2jnkhsZsyAQidCLmcp_dBE1mC6irajIo3d4Cwy2rUl3RcUAGmeb_cx0nmbO6j4pK_liRzx2wyOD2OZzuEFssNgaFnZX-PCPt53c1IS2cJE1GQ6rmtoCtc78h5bsRq-EbP38/s1600/before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGt1oyq1BL2jnkhsZsyAQidCLmcp_dBE1mC6irajIo3d4Cwy2rUl3RcUAGmeb_cx0nmbO6j4pK_liRzx2wyOD2OZzuEFssNgaFnZX-PCPt53c1IS2cJE1GQ6rmtoCtc78h5bsRq-EbP38/s400/before.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the pattern before mending.</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>To start with, we need to straighten the crippled pieces using hot iron. I was reluctant to do so initially, especially with printed patterns, but in fact, they are designed to be used with hot iron. Anyway, I had to try with a scrap of the printed tissue paper first before I attempted on the real pattern.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yckFyAk4xe1_pocASJWVVCW7xpQuLa1bufSVm9qcpooTmzm8olXZqr3N5qCSHmQG7JBnUokWuU3EIOfP6XmNTbLjru-hHSIcF-JYANNgjwVCjMsiG9XVMK2nlApBFpvj48q76ofFcrhP/s1600/ironing+is+OK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yckFyAk4xe1_pocASJWVVCW7xpQuLa1bufSVm9qcpooTmzm8olXZqr3N5qCSHmQG7JBnUokWuU3EIOfP6XmNTbLjru-hHSIcF-JYANNgjwVCjMsiG9XVMK2nlApBFpvj48q76ofFcrhP/s400/ironing+is+OK.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ironing is OK, but please no steam!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now we are ready to fix our broken or cut piece. <b>Never use plastic adhesive tape for this</b>. If you do so, you will not be able to use hot iron afterwards. What you <i>can</i> use is a strip of a tissue paper and regular paper glue. I glue them on the unprinted side.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK0_eUSPidxM7TX9hbDkelWnujbOg3bhQDyqO3hbqu07ThHAVhTf9OzzbK9YINWYz74G7i97FoB2XJI7iNJI5Bw_ZeU-soIw5TCTAdS0EwEX25mjdbFwZLVLivGIt2d4w9mF8cO-3tVHl/s1600/wrong+side+matching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK0_eUSPidxM7TX9hbDkelWnujbOg3bhQDyqO3hbqu07ThHAVhTf9OzzbK9YINWYz74G7i97FoB2XJI7iNJI5Bw_ZeU-soIw5TCTAdS0EwEX25mjdbFwZLVLivGIt2d4w9mF8cO-3tVHl/s400/wrong+side+matching.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Paper glue does not work instantly, so you have time to readjust the pieces if necessary. They have to match perfectly - if not, the pattern will be disfigured. Compare the edges - they should go smoothly and form one line. If your pattern has printed marks, they are also very useful, like this straight grain line here:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVNNXeTuQ8sNQEMRLL8GI1zlkGQ4B9armenO6ryl1kbGEr4PaPDFYSpPTfHR-Lwv2nRAZ-wR8vOEak95hQ017VDOdo7MeBXNAklRhF7rrcqwHv_KoxYRgTCVrtJ819JAbCrP0mLHnNS3a/s1600/after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVNNXeTuQ8sNQEMRLL8GI1zlkGQ4B9armenO6ryl1kbGEr4PaPDFYSpPTfHR-Lwv2nRAZ-wR8vOEak95hQ017VDOdo7MeBXNAklRhF7rrcqwHv_KoxYRgTCVrtJ819JAbCrP0mLHnNS3a/s640/after.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So the bottom line is: keep some tissue paper strips left after cutting your pieces out, because you may need them to mend your broken or cut pattern pieces.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXl4EFOvb9VDe4cH1N82C_6bQjAGL4MZBPdmb14LuBqvBoFFtRug7uqLiv56lvUlay0ts3EJKcO-kJwkQx0aj4O3osPx-JfoVf6ynz24tq3QyF3-l6FdcRymRA53RYzu90V3JC7Z_1lzL/s1600/paper+strip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXl4EFOvb9VDe4cH1N82C_6bQjAGL4MZBPdmb14LuBqvBoFFtRug7uqLiv56lvUlay0ts3EJKcO-kJwkQx0aj4O3osPx-JfoVf6ynz24tq3QyF3-l6FdcRymRA53RYzu90V3JC7Z_1lzL/s320/paper+strip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-46725282083215982372017-03-02T15:22:00.001+01:002017-03-02T15:32:59.438+01:00Etsy shop attributesWhile frequent changes to the rules on Etsy may cause you a headache, the most recent one is particularly useful. Etsy has introduced attributes, which have to be selected for each item. They announced this some time ago, and that they will be introducing them gradually, without notifying about trials and tests. And one of these days I found out I could select a colour for my etsy products.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVJJv76c8quqU5noAHzQJudQV7yEDLTOX0qFqEiSbH0eb6zi2W6gxQlHBlwCtX2MYvY1mBEC4k_bsDAQZFg4Hvor2Wx-Q_KOWmL1vSnLNede8G2dVBZ6Aew1osrOTo0IyYAj4KtY7hrvy/s1600/colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVJJv76c8quqU5noAHzQJudQV7yEDLTOX0qFqEiSbH0eb6zi2W6gxQlHBlwCtX2MYvY1mBEC4k_bsDAQZFg4Hvor2Wx-Q_KOWmL1vSnLNede8G2dVBZ6Aew1osrOTo0IyYAj4KtY7hrvy/s640/colour.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click on the image to enlarge</td></tr>
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Well, I embraced this change as I had always thought it necessary, as previously the colour selection was based on the item pictures. This led to confusion if an item was photographed not on white, but against a different colour background. <a href="https://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2016/07/how-to-take-good-product-photos.html" target="_blank">White balance errors</a> could also make your white or other colour item accidentally appear while searching for blue or red. Finally, Etsy decided that the sellers can decide on the colour of the item - hooray!<br />
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So I set out to update over one thousand listings that I have in both shops combined. First I did it to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesSewingSupplies" target="_blank">Agnes'SewingSupplies</a>, simply because I use Google Chrome to manage it and it turned out faster than Mozilla Firefox. Well, believe it or not, once I updated half of the stock, they started selling faster. And curiously, only the updated items. So I got back to updating as soon as I could. Once I finished, I had the double of the orders I usually have, and no single order from the other shop, in which I had managed to update about ten listings.<br />
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Maybe it is just a coincidence, but something is telling me that it does affect the search result. After all, the attributes are added along material and other info in the right hand side column, and constitute strong keywords. So I updated the other 500 listings in the other shop immediately.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82KuZ5Azo0orMwLU3M_BEZML-wCpGtWKFx0kxXAH37unM6qg7GHpo9G0BWOOj37TNzojOQmJ7L0aw29kZkC4wZ2vAMicQ_3h5U3y9CC932d8zwzqvR7U-oGfqsQNl1o9QPjh4-r783u8i/s1600/colour1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82KuZ5Azo0orMwLU3M_BEZML-wCpGtWKFx0kxXAH37unM6qg7GHpo9G0BWOOj37TNzojOQmJ7L0aw29kZkC4wZ2vAMicQ_3h5U3y9CC932d8zwzqvR7U-oGfqsQNl1o9QPjh4-r783u8i/s640/colour1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another point: the information listed in 'Overview' will appear on the Etsy app</td></tr>
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And I do recommend doing so, even if you have not 1000 but six or ten times more items. While Etsy may decide to modify this feature or add other attributes in the near future, which will require updating all the listings again, it still pays to work on them now. If you decide to start adding attributes once this process has finished, you may lose many customers who will be looking for items in the meantime.Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-730737393372465692017-02-23T00:20:00.001+01:002018-05-08T15:42:58.387+02:00How to identify BakeliteBakelite is probably the most exciting plastic for every collector. Those who are not familiar with this early plastic will see it as simple modern and plain plastic. But if you look closer, well, better stick your nose to it, you will see (and yes, smell) the difference.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciC25pJfnQ1NVW86ruQ40DVKffHgrLYYr8If-lblspmY0f4PeaGIqNqhtI8Yc6841BOfH6Pe0JpUYKvec7MvNgIb-iB7MnAur3vBTSj7bAOwP-CIEoFwSavBuxo0b3azXdiH4-1ylNaqN/s1600/main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciC25pJfnQ1NVW86ruQ40DVKffHgrLYYr8If-lblspmY0f4PeaGIqNqhtI8Yc6841BOfH6Pe0JpUYKvec7MvNgIb-iB7MnAur3vBTSj7bAOwP-CIEoFwSavBuxo0b3azXdiH4-1ylNaqN/s400/main.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut and carved Bakelite buckle</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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To start with, Bakelite items are usually very old, and the preferred way of manufacturing included screws instead of glue. This may also help identify the material, but it also means the items don't usually have clean finish on the wrong side, with metal pieces sticking out here and there.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu1fng5K_NqjbuLTNbkoqqIo9eKU3CuCoGEXUT1H4Bbiquodyj5CpJHgnVZjhjE2n7jKPPbVrIq0Dj1dIcNW6XeNv8HWPtHrA6mIMKDjS5qlLstFuM0lwILrMktiywyWNeMXM-xW2jaeQ/s1600/belt+bucke+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu1fng5K_NqjbuLTNbkoqqIo9eKU3CuCoGEXUT1H4Bbiquodyj5CpJHgnVZjhjE2n7jKPPbVrIq0Dj1dIcNW6XeNv8HWPtHrA6mIMKDjS5qlLstFuM0lwILrMktiywyWNeMXM-xW2jaeQ/s640/belt+bucke+back.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at these screws in this layered Bakelite buckle.</td></tr>
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Bakelite sheets may have been stacked one on top of the other to produce a layered effect, like the one seen in the buckle above. They could also be combined with other materials, like casein.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g_g4ZvW_WOL_1BxtftlKdGdI_SIyXVlwLDvplGKkYxvhQPSQ83tgUq3m5Ja5EisGjD_FHTAV-XzxthNoTe0WLXOEinNK6zZBMlk12Kqm4Kmp0hyphenhyphen2ctq0o1uDdnJSdj9QkKbJyIh5ZCaW/s1600/close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g_g4ZvW_WOL_1BxtftlKdGdI_SIyXVlwLDvplGKkYxvhQPSQ83tgUq3m5Ja5EisGjD_FHTAV-XzxthNoTe0WLXOEinNK6zZBMlk12Kqm4Kmp0hyphenhyphen2ctq0o1uDdnJSdj9QkKbJyIh5ZCaW/s400/close.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simichrome polish tested: the side is Bakelite, the center looks more like casein.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0T6QB_J36uADLUEebDcG1cN6YWnZPaViuBz6_q7UkcnOsCZUEmvBF3Qc-F6Hth7MeZjEvW1TQI-PNNHhX-vPWy1TgFdWN54k6qLDV4oO3TOKuwVn0mAk9AX1FlhARYzpkIi9grI0bXPHZ/s1600/red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0T6QB_J36uADLUEebDcG1cN6YWnZPaViuBz6_q7UkcnOsCZUEmvBF3Qc-F6Hth7MeZjEvW1TQI-PNNHhX-vPWy1TgFdWN54k6qLDV4oO3TOKuwVn0mAk9AX1FlhARYzpkIi9grI0bXPHZ/s400/red.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simichrome polish tested: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/294904697/laminate-bakelite-with-red-top-antique" target="_blank">this belt buckle</a> also combines Bakelite and casein</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>How to identify Bakelite</b><br />
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Although the best way is to smell them, we will also focus on some overall characteristics. First of all, Bakelite pieces are a bit heavier than normal plastic items of the same size. They also make a very characteristic sound, a bit deeper than plastic (however, this is difficult to identify when you deal with such small items as buttons). Also, Bakelite items were usually made from larger pieces, like sheets and tubes (for bangles, for example), which were later cut and shaped. This means that the buttons or buckles made of Bakelite will not have seams, as they were cut from larger pieces. This is sometimes difficult to tell, though, as Bakelite can be polished to very fine shiny finish. Also, antique casein buckles were made the very same way: cut out from larger sheets. <a href="http://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2016/12/vegetable-ivory-vegan-and-eco-friendly.html" target="_blank">Vegetable ivory</a> is also cut and carved with no seams. And modern plastic buttons can be manufactured in such a way that seams are no longer obvious.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XX6OCzj9hhanG4omMwK3GnklVHWPuv1yRn9rLm0xYAdL4ZLZddtbCaHKh__nMYCTckjNBWmt3U5gOqPlRcdzqGzs0DcA8KznuLWsxmnXEa-cwNsaf5QppAckXjH0_ynqvR0KAG_Zhdch/s1600/button+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XX6OCzj9hhanG4omMwK3GnklVHWPuv1yRn9rLm0xYAdL4ZLZddtbCaHKh__nMYCTckjNBWmt3U5gOqPlRcdzqGzs0DcA8KznuLWsxmnXEa-cwNsaf5QppAckXjH0_ynqvR0KAG_Zhdch/s400/button+back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These leaf buttons are clearly cut out and polished on the right side.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So let's stick to the nose. Bakelite smells. This is a fact. But to be able to tell, we need to heat it a little bit using hot water. Rubbing is also helpful, but may not be enough. The scent is close to that of formaldehyde, or if you are not familiar with it, just a smelly chemical odour. Some argue that the definite trial is with a hot pin. STOP! Don't ever use a hot pin for testing anything! 1. you will destroy it by creating a small hole, and 2. you risk setting it (and perhaps yourself as well) on fire, as your piece may turn out to be made of celluloid. <a href="http://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2016/10/celluloid-indispensabe-spys-equipment.html" target="_blank">Remember the destructive forces of celluloid?</a><br />
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Your nose may not be trained to identify chemicals, also, you may need a second proof that your item is made of Bakelite. I use Simichrome polish to do that, as I was not able to smell some of my items I suspected made of Bakelite.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ2fhX4exr_WgZf7HEpTzHi3NWk1QW84dKK8XjDFeft6aJXMcupAVTIUY4EI3M1y3KZkXrQwM63g5MDD7ThGKxPxnVoJsd0p2KWKznfHFR3_YfD0Kdb0zfhhU8Ie0jDF0uqWLOaO3AAtl/s1600/simichrome+polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ2fhX4exr_WgZf7HEpTzHi3NWk1QW84dKK8XjDFeft6aJXMcupAVTIUY4EI3M1y3KZkXrQwM63g5MDD7ThGKxPxnVoJsd0p2KWKznfHFR3_YfD0Kdb0zfhhU8Ie0jDF0uqWLOaO3AAtl/s320/simichrome+polish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.simichrome-happich.de/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">Manufacturer's website</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Simichrome polish is a product designed to clean metal pieces, and I must say it does the job all right (I was able to clean some really nice old metal buckles thanks to it), but miraculously it also changes colour when in contact with Bakelite. To perform a test you will need some rubber gloves (it is dangerous for the skin) and a cotton bud. Dip it in the Simichrome polish, but just a little bit, and rub vigorously. After a few seconds it has to turn yellowish, maybe brownish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsHQXmF_tsfkJn8wMtgnr8XMptYaqjk6da27DoqUHUrFknxOgDu0S4enjCbExVDtyLTe5gmW4xoubWi6SI-CVEMQRHp7ZfiBg2SLVgPL81r3Q54QBizA62kkPsmWYuIBBJ0gwA5HWhQtR/s1600/bakelite+test+OK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsHQXmF_tsfkJn8wMtgnr8XMptYaqjk6da27DoqUHUrFknxOgDu0S4enjCbExVDtyLTe5gmW4xoubWi6SI-CVEMQRHp7ZfiBg2SLVgPL81r3Q54QBizA62kkPsmWYuIBBJ0gwA5HWhQtR/s640/bakelite+test+OK.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_fJiFhaNCeSDX5w1IsseB-OMrRVtlH-D_Yxya3qlwpZwlI8_KAM-jxmS9XoMFRw7QSoed03Hz7krr3f0Zx57ZR0MECpsBUZhTbpvLaFzqQLiKIgZ9Z2MHrxszI7mocl7H99iqw1016pa/s1600/bakelite+testing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_fJiFhaNCeSDX5w1IsseB-OMrRVtlH-D_Yxya3qlwpZwlI8_KAM-jxmS9XoMFRw7QSoed03Hz7krr3f0Zx57ZR0MECpsBUZhTbpvLaFzqQLiKIgZ9Z2MHrxszI7mocl7H99iqw1016pa/s640/bakelite+testing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are a few drawbacks in this method. It does not work with black and red items (curiously), it also failed on my brown buckle which you can see above, but luckily it passed the smell test and the sound test. Also, your item may be simply dirty, so before applying Simichrome polish on the surface, make sure it is clean and free from dust. Otherwise even water-dipped cloth will get yellowish. If you are not sure, repeat the test. You should get the same result.<br />
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Any other colour, or no colour change means it is not Bakelite. A lot of my items turned the Simichrome polish into fuchsia pink, sometimes they just let off the dye, for example green or black. But again, black and red items may fail the test by not giving out any colour.<br />
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There are other chemicals used for Bakelite identification, with the same results, out there, like Formula 409 cleaning solution, but although very popular in the USA, it is not available in Europe (and besides I hear it is very harmful or the environment). But if you happen to have it at hand, you may as well give it a go.<br />
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<b>Other characteristics of Bakelite</b><br />
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Bakelite is very durable, which helped all those items survive intact to this day. However, the colours may not be as long lasting. Transparent pieces tend to turn yellowish, getting the tone of apple juice, like the belt buckle below.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xX9yA6uY3WcuBY5WU7dBaU8U44mUjmUf9DJeJM_cDlRa29scFwd8MnT1KeAjPPR6dg9ecxwvT4svQroZS8K-PIykdUm4igfSz5zy_TsZjaHFU8AdB8vargAPlDJNhiyq3X6u-Zuci2zr/s1600/main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xX9yA6uY3WcuBY5WU7dBaU8U44mUjmUf9DJeJM_cDlRa29scFwd8MnT1KeAjPPR6dg9ecxwvT4svQroZS8K-PIykdUm4igfSz5zy_TsZjaHFU8AdB8vargAPlDJNhiyq3X6u-Zuci2zr/s400/main.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This buckle may have been clear and not yellow some 80 years ago...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Also, it is virtually impossible to find a bright white item. White Bakelite turns yellowish over the time, so definitely more off-white than bright white.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTycw9wUg0zsBQHB54Ku_gxQP_nmu8NXAgzL0mHzXtHgubUkg0hTnvstBV_JAi4KF1kUPaDyvIxBGbwPNHJiTTRHUKeh-hYgYYE_40J9o1hxrlI8i-fvzOxYG2MTPwVNm5NOW6GsEo7Ld/s1600/white+buckle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTycw9wUg0zsBQHB54Ku_gxQP_nmu8NXAgzL0mHzXtHgubUkg0hTnvstBV_JAi4KF1kUPaDyvIxBGbwPNHJiTTRHUKeh-hYgYYE_40J9o1hxrlI8i-fvzOxYG2MTPwVNm5NOW6GsEo7Ld/s400/white+buckle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This belt buckle is made of a larger thin sheet, cut out and carved, <br />
but its bright colour makes it clear it is not Bakelite. <br />
Further tests revealed it is made of casein.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anyway, I hope you perform your tests safe and discover your buttons or jewellery are made of this precious plastic. If not, don't worry, they may be made of casein or Lucite plastic, which is also cool.<br />
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I had to add here some photos of my newest Bakelite acquisitions. They are all large carved Bakelite buckles, some with hook and loop, some with prong.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/588539240/extra-large-belt-buckle-vintage-bakelite?ga_search_query=bakelite&ref=shop_items_search_7" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRyQ3j5RObzBmlCM3Wpw5jabQOWYuUD6iDexDRlEfuSm9E7gu-oQXihFO1Pm8SBMhw8arS-YW3Dr1heQwe_qSfrJ92cU-_Rn6Jz_ErFFPETetfRbyrxR3O62EloXVrZ3d97PzNV0MjGfK/s200/honey.jpg" width="200" /></a><span id="goog_437092263"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_437092264"></span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/598140154/orange-bakelite-buckle-vintage-flower" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V8yP45jY8cq_fgeExbzMLy7f45rVszU7BeEeKh8nzICZkAHpX7ssUH70xYm_pP0q4LZLcax12kNvyXFErAFFc3j-Sop9YjCHIzQquZ8eevcuI6-eELXmAySOYyYPX7nzMApUNF9oQUHo/s200/2+styles.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/587492666/vintage-bakelite-buckle-two-piece-buckle" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK3dkKlSueaKgmlXZt2PF93-VVkqF6aeeZcVUOXXDYUUpzqRGRMU5Dz4D9nELcwfm5OViFK8lLsDXGDEVevhRCYNnOnGV7ix5RIGUFqqBnIGyDgZv-rG0N1ibDpSAmeU_X3CciZh1N2oR/s200/open.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/600942655/large-bakelite-buckle-two-piece-clasp" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETGiE3tkzGB8B5uV0WtCzlK6pg5D8O0D45P3tcdmICrlKXRmS1lhKMyOKE3Dcbvtfc9XFCittb6lcxLudMlhP-4RpepmJWlgpWfJPKmVYNUuotrZRd4zl6xQRtQU_W0oFQ4o7q221Ruwy/s200/close+up+not+transparent.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/607659213/carved-bakelite-buckle-large-vintage" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJa4ybGhb2nh3ZEG58aNjgB-NvvauQ8e02b0KBN6-uRGoEi_pimU1orleJ8rjHF48wL3AFvNAnCEkFKcaNIp3SRNlq9BZftlM30NDfYgaXLs6b7CaRd8L8z6GM2q_YCBcHOvTliw9ihy8/s200/love+love+love.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/609566525/vintage-bakelite-buckle-large-carved" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="1593" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGueLthGlPoh-xvPqFOnLNHEth700iYBrCvz83Ri6dg8ohGbuzcQBjZJAwbe1ersl_1CPinLLmlyBY1TbUYPEd2PXmhtITC-bkbCTa6D7tfjA8tnD403WEB7HLgmnkPcHTNUt1ZoDCW-h/s200/YY.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-19376147936934409162017-02-14T13:47:00.000+01:002017-02-14T13:49:28.811+01:00Making a retro style handbag - tutorialRecently I started selling <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesSewingSupplies?ref=hdr_shop_menu&section_id=19289625" target="_blank">retro handbag handles</a>, made of plastic. Some of them <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/480024588/large-retro-purse-handles-big-plastic" target="_blank">imitate wood</a> to the point that you may have serious doubts as to what they are actually made of. But let's stick to the plan, this post was to be a help to those who are not sure how to make <b>a DIY purse </b>using the retro handles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zk9N4EPShx1YJZ6AO4AxMk5ZVMFNSfHWQ31XF9OUaWdoxoUGxSmfz8Mt-_BaafbmrwYtInzzww9LVEgHa5Jq4RiDG4wX6ikDJQNHttBMYrcVH66BvOaMatcBs_JsVKYcHpqrdR7dm5oz/s1600/bag+ready+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zk9N4EPShx1YJZ6AO4AxMk5ZVMFNSfHWQ31XF9OUaWdoxoUGxSmfz8Mt-_BaafbmrwYtInzzww9LVEgHa5Jq4RiDG4wX6ikDJQNHttBMYrcVH66BvOaMatcBs_JsVKYcHpqrdR7dm5oz/s400/bag+ready+outside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Apart from the handles we will need some fabric. It may be matching or contrast, I am going to use black handles and some black-and-white fabric for my handbag.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
We will need two pieces of the main fabric, I used 40 cm x 40 cm (15 1/2" x 15-1/2"), but remember, that this way the bag will come out rectangular. We will also need some lining, to which I will sew a small pocket for the mobile - I just don't like spending ages looking for my phone in my bag. But you can sew any other kind of interior pocket. You may also need some interfacing to make your bag stronger and sturdier, I skipped this step as my lining fabric is already quite thick and sturdy.<br />
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Sew the pieces together along the edges, leaving 15 mm / 3/8" seam allowances, on the wrong side. Leave 20 cm / inches opening on each side. Do the same with the lining pieces.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZzPR-g_syRysxxaoUBPWm4HvX9V5q6oe2Wmelp1Ct5ED4aWtXIzvVMZdaLQy2acUgb5FIKu801XTKvF9C2YEVrOb5Xm2CjfCCdAbdhfaUm7_r2XSvjHJn0UJiiedmZVD7QYnK8eP4Qtv/s1600/lining+sewing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZzPR-g_syRysxxaoUBPWm4HvX9V5q6oe2Wmelp1Ct5ED4aWtXIzvVMZdaLQy2acUgb5FIKu801XTKvF9C2YEVrOb5Xm2CjfCCdAbdhfaUm7_r2XSvjHJn0UJiiedmZVD7QYnK8eP4Qtv/s640/lining+sewing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once finished, open the lower corners and sew them creating little triangles, which we will cut off. This step is necessary to add volume to the bag. Otherwise it will be completely flat ;)<br />
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Repeat this step on the lining. Make the lining corners are a bit larger than the main fabric, to make the lining fit nicely inside the bag. I do not cut them off, but rather fold down and secure with a few hand stitches.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8f9PEZcpzRtoLUqHn-uW3DMoNTzYVND_9AbgVEH0vVaqqv1Bv3j1QhEtaFbNtyF3rmyq-Ejrp9r1-Jumsme6WjbwbOkDbxkzq0-lYrBUwrX2L6q0TWW0VijbzVCheWXK3Im_DQHDhbaZ/s1600/cornwrs+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8f9PEZcpzRtoLUqHn-uW3DMoNTzYVND_9AbgVEH0vVaqqv1Bv3j1QhEtaFbNtyF3rmyq-Ejrp9r1-Jumsme6WjbwbOkDbxkzq0-lYrBUwrX2L6q0TWW0VijbzVCheWXK3Im_DQHDhbaZ/s640/cornwrs+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiYz1ZS8aspuZ6neaEoD-XQY1C60K0lbFE1fvEjMFSccnwqGKaMejf9X2Q9IcM20pG7OsYN4fOPa-axft7prPMvKDqFNrCxgfKlomFJ8LgJHGdFJr-dzhAndfochdgY3gdBLiLoMbQqsI/s1600/corner+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiYz1ZS8aspuZ6neaEoD-XQY1C60K0lbFE1fvEjMFSccnwqGKaMejf9X2Q9IcM20pG7OsYN4fOPa-axft7prPMvKDqFNrCxgfKlomFJ8LgJHGdFJr-dzhAndfochdgY3gdBLiLoMbQqsI/s640/corner+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Put the lining fabric over the main fabric piece, RIGHT sides together. Sew along the open edges on the sides. The place where the front and back piece are joint should be fully concealed by seams. Just sew it as far as possible. Leave the top of the bag open.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnkLk8f8Wmusiio8WstU1BW5GjwX7y1F77t3IrCGvtg9F_RzWNjKAJ3q91IMULPU2wBPe8c0l2GJhMeCnMgoHP_yRBe_rlvWAEpnH6DNMnpyillnxOKfiU38eiQIR1KGXatAlfEusJzSg/s1600/lining+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnkLk8f8Wmusiio8WstU1BW5GjwX7y1F77t3IrCGvtg9F_RzWNjKAJ3q91IMULPU2wBPe8c0l2GJhMeCnMgoHP_yRBe_rlvWAEpnH6DNMnpyillnxOKfiU38eiQIR1KGXatAlfEusJzSg/s640/lining+inside.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My main fabric seems reversible, so I chose the white flowers on black background.</td></tr>
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Press the seams open while still on the wrong side. Then turn everything inside out (this is very difficult too show in a picture, but I guess you will be fine without one ;) and press again. Press the edge 15 mm / 5/8" to the inside. This will make a nice finish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsVdHaTA3Y_SBvqfU8CMCE_P0gQKMxIt8xYUbk3rGJK_8fBrEuybGrubITogwhEzq7f36aRt11kz-YqXv0DAzrbo1YsCkkLoN8fkly5SkJSHKsgCorIpsUlrS4TvwdtqmOGMk_1YkWPF2/s1600/ironing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsVdHaTA3Y_SBvqfU8CMCE_P0gQKMxIt8xYUbk3rGJK_8fBrEuybGrubITogwhEzq7f36aRt11kz-YqXv0DAzrbo1YsCkkLoN8fkly5SkJSHKsgCorIpsUlrS4TvwdtqmOGMk_1YkWPF2/s640/ironing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Slip the open edges trough the opening in the handles. They should crease as you do it. This will also add volume to the bag.<br />
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Once ready, Sew the open edges to the main piece. You will have to move the crease as you sew. This is easier than it looks in the pictures.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe41ZP8Jiyt3aDaOtY18uuSEnx_wQhG9xzOCjJW0p1P0n7qw70LJXGWgglknkBUCnB7Zhvlq48MN9_AuH9Fcu_JD9SPGVq5fH1Pz4_O8aqVlDylOg2Z5Hz1sqbLNgrOrb6qovPKrZ4OORS/s1600/pinned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe41ZP8Jiyt3aDaOtY18uuSEnx_wQhG9xzOCjJW0p1P0n7qw70LJXGWgglknkBUCnB7Zhvlq48MN9_AuH9Fcu_JD9SPGVq5fH1Pz4_O8aqVlDylOg2Z5Hz1sqbLNgrOrb6qovPKrZ4OORS/s640/pinned.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is so much easier when the edge is pressed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv55JNhfSQo_SzNqpaESTWm5jvfncuB5h5WeHqzgg83mWmgPR6nIvZGaysYqGsOAYn4dlw3A8xO6Ok5zz_qG4H0h0FdML9Vo9Q6jD8y12dqURXI0N0N3vg1l2wkGLWM6d7J4HVcS0L0rcR/s1600/creased.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv55JNhfSQo_SzNqpaESTWm5jvfncuB5h5WeHqzgg83mWmgPR6nIvZGaysYqGsOAYn4dlw3A8xO6Ok5zz_qG4H0h0FdML9Vo9Q6jD8y12dqURXI0N0N3vg1l2wkGLWM6d7J4HVcS0L0rcR/s640/creased.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now you should move the crease as you sew, to have always a smooth and flat piece to sew. </td></tr>
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Also, if you want to wash your bag in the washing machine, you may be interested in making the handles detachable. This means sewing some snaps instead of just stitching everything together. I once made a bag like that and it works 100% fine:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJP4BiGUmO4WHDXX7G41DF_z2UZ4RH94rzsrWMzMAQ_Cht7giGnTBFsPBWEPWMCw0gf0ivoNKV6wK2T-xYvwFFFtTMEYPDYkGqiRfIspCZKcgt52YJuqC0_dr0Qwn0WoVjQsHsBA0wsD2/s1600/torebuszki+odpinane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJP4BiGUmO4WHDXX7G41DF_z2UZ4RH94rzsrWMzMAQ_Cht7giGnTBFsPBWEPWMCw0gf0ivoNKV6wK2T-xYvwFFFtTMEYPDYkGqiRfIspCZKcgt52YJuqC0_dr0Qwn0WoVjQsHsBA0wsD2/s1600/torebuszki+odpinane.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The full picture is available on my <a href="http://wmoimstyluwmojejszafie.blogspot.com.es/2015/09/resztkowe-torebki.html" target="_blank">Polish sewing blog</a></td></tr>
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You can also attach a shoulder strap to the handles, using the additional openings.Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-80100409938782236052016-12-07T12:23:00.000+01:002017-06-05T12:15:42.491+02:00Vegetable ivory - Vegan and eco friendly buttons from early 20th centuryAlthough named after ivory, a controversial material from today's perspective, it has nothing to do with African wildlife. Tagua nuts come from corosso palm tree in south America. They are 100% vegetable and sustainable material, only resembling the authentic ivory in colour, hardness and the grain, which is a bit more tree-like. However, since modern plastic was introduced, they have become less and less popular.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPrQpPGXZaUpCKbvcRnKOgrq93xdOBv5PhJLZWt7LcAzvOq6rosxPITqM3KC03Y-wxa1r_5tNkm41upK-iBNhAtyGl67K2_00y963FIDdZfGtw2iufG0Y8PmXcCD50I196sDibHLYUICj/s1600/colourful+tagua+nut+buttons++art+deco+style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPrQpPGXZaUpCKbvcRnKOgrq93xdOBv5PhJLZWt7LcAzvOq6rosxPITqM3KC03Y-wxa1r_5tNkm41upK-iBNhAtyGl67K2_00y963FIDdZfGtw2iufG0Y8PmXcCD50I196sDibHLYUICj/s640/colourful+tagua+nut+buttons++art+deco+style.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesVintageButtons/items?section_id=19289441" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Vegetable ivory buttons </a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">can be carved and dyed into small pieces of art!</span></td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Vegetable ivory buttons can have any colour, more or less vivid, painted like those above, or dyed. They can also be carved and even embossed with subtle or a bit more pronounced pattern or texture. Their natural colour is off white, just like the authentic ivory.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOe38f5nRXJfx31hE2W4D1D1ab2p2UW34Z_EWaf2C-ILmDNg47SQPt5Rh7dnf1F_B_EMTpNOHEOZrNyPLX3z2OZCNr-q9jeW951f78ra3z5lxMvgega3QPnjULKoDnGpHX6t4vf2yEjdC/s1600/embossed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOe38f5nRXJfx31hE2W4D1D1ab2p2UW34Z_EWaf2C-ILmDNg47SQPt5Rh7dnf1F_B_EMTpNOHEOZrNyPLX3z2OZCNr-q9jeW951f78ra3z5lxMvgega3QPnjULKoDnGpHX6t4vf2yEjdC/s640/embossed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/478291651">tagua nut buttons</a> are quite small but you can see the embossed texture. </td></tr>
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<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">How to identify Tagua nut buttons</span></h4>
There are a few things that are very characteristic about these buttons. The basic rule is that vegetable ivory is such a dense material that it does not let the dye sink in beyond the first layer. So to start with, we have to look closely at the back of the buttons. Normally, vegetable ivory buttons are dyed before drilling the holes, which means, that we will be able to see the natural off-white colour of the nut somewhere. Like here:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_Tn8zbXxT34LFraPO4RSzIrUQFSDwiQzkQRC-jBYfJ3Zqm6giwGx88HShuqBFiPZsz7FfhvunkHL2N42y0AxIuADg7Zm6sp-1-FCWfBoFrEMvVKhPEg0hSydPY-RHiHCoOsb0ESK28Pz/s1600/tagua+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_Tn8zbXxT34LFraPO4RSzIrUQFSDwiQzkQRC-jBYfJ3Zqm6giwGx88HShuqBFiPZsz7FfhvunkHL2N42y0AxIuADg7Zm6sp-1-FCWfBoFrEMvVKhPEg0hSydPY-RHiHCoOsb0ESK28Pz/s400/tagua+green.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the line across the back of the button? <br />
This <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/230749414/large-tagua-nut-button-in-dark-olive">green tagua nut button</a> had the hole drilled after it was dyed. </td></tr>
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However, some buttons were dyed after the details were finished. I have a few examples like that here. But there are other features that clearly indicate what these buttons are made of.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/131/0/8811554/il_570xN.1023933260_7qq2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/131/0/8811554/il_570xN.1023933260_7qq2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/458168008/">buttons</a> were dyed after the holes were drilled. But we can easily see the grain.</td></tr>
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If you take a vegetable ivory button in your hand, it resembles a wooden button, only that it is much higher density, and so, a bit heavier. Wood can be easily damaged with a finger nail by simply pressing, whereas vegetable ivory will remain untouched.<br />
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The surface of tagua nut button can be polished so that it resembles the real ivory, or left a bit unpolished and rough.<br />
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Another characteristic feature is the fine grain on the surface. This is different from wooden buttons, and very difficult to achieve in plastic buttons (although nowadays plastic can imitate anything...). Apart from that, many corosso buttons, especially those cheaper, plain ones, meant generally for menswear, may preserve a bit of the tagua nut hull - the "bark" of the nuts, which looks like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVJNNzQILLUhoqwx4kaVP-jZiDua3GxxbesixhbZwnMD6IZvHiVplvYyTGDuGhczNy5hjZvRmG7NAk6vdzb8AXNLJf4Tu3KJd_NlrpsCPgzdhs46jg8DmQK7Lo7Nh36wHH2qoMDB9O7YM/s1600/OTHER+tagua+backs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVJNNzQILLUhoqwx4kaVP-jZiDua3GxxbesixhbZwnMD6IZvHiVplvYyTGDuGhczNy5hjZvRmG7NAk6vdzb8AXNLJf4Tu3KJd_NlrpsCPgzdhs46jg8DmQK7Lo7Nh36wHH2qoMDB9O7YM/s640/OTHER+tagua+backs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This "bark" can even be incorporated in the button design, as was the case of this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/534670421/reserved-for-ana-large-tagua-nut-button" target="_blank">very original button</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZ0iq90FtBWiWcJAJJY40O8qcgyF5vB2BWTTj4Ri2XJk7ijxREgfmfpJNxmCBYfuO-0qxKI7xeswsdWNRRxrD5hlazme2hBWcQ0ODVzNbbtCtQG6MHsVmTsCEhZbxMrEzHp2oMT3q4TVi/s1600/button+with+hull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZ0iq90FtBWiWcJAJJY40O8qcgyF5vB2BWTTj4Ri2XJk7ijxREgfmfpJNxmCBYfuO-0qxKI7xeswsdWNRRxrD5hlazme2hBWcQ0ODVzNbbtCtQG6MHsVmTsCEhZbxMrEzHp2oMT3q4TVi/s400/button+with+hull.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />How to handle the buttons</span></h4>
Vegetable ivory buttons are usually durable and do not need any special care. I would not wash them in a washing machine, however, just in case, as some of the dye may not be that durable and could ruin other garments. I had some buttons that bled when rubbed with damp cloth. If they are not dyed, they can stand machine-washing pretty well.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/132/0/8811554/il_570xN.914134622_dtfk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/132/0/8811554/il_570xN.914134622_dtfk.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/266401194">tagua nut</a> <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">natural </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">colour. I am sure these would not bleed.</span></td></tr>
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Tagua nut buttons were especially popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and still produced until 1950s. It is a shame we turned to plastic so definitely, as these little pieces were really a sustainable and beautiful alternative.<br />
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Last but not least, I have a very rare piece, which is a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/511549255/small-antique-belt-buckle-in-pomegranade" target="_blank">vegetable ivory buckle</a>! It is not very big, as tagua nuts rarely allow carving larger pieces (though I did have a few big pieces among my buttons). This buckle was very characteristically dyed and then carved.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8QrtR7k1EVwXqArL0gUfNOzh0Y3rrfnQCc3_OlBzu_K03WXg-aAoPdSmfMXHW3qBslwUBHUnhkzFlyyue9FxYAyTZEFWUnTMEskXTzrw_rmnCddYDnu5rJfhxt1SA18j_N3qp5beetD_/s1600/tagua+buckle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8QrtR7k1EVwXqArL0gUfNOzh0Y3rrfnQCc3_OlBzu_K03WXg-aAoPdSmfMXHW3qBslwUBHUnhkzFlyyue9FxYAyTZEFWUnTMEskXTzrw_rmnCddYDnu5rJfhxt1SA18j_N3qp5beetD_/s400/tagua+buckle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This post has been updated several times, as I get more and more interesting pieces.Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-10970543245763905432016-11-11T00:09:00.000+01:002016-11-11T10:05:24.332+01:00How to make a sew-on duffle coat toggle closure - tutorialDuffle coats are all the rage, back from 1970 (and 1990s, and... well, they ARE practical and men love their casual sporty air). Today I am going to show you how to make a complete sew-on closure for a duffle coat, using <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesSewingSupplies?section_id=19293909" target="_blank">toggle buttons</a> and leather. We will also need some leather straps or similar.<br />
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First you need to decide on the shape of the leather pads. They may be square (that's the easiest to cut) or triangular and rounded on the corners. This is my favourite, though I prefer elongated triangles personally, like those you can see in the pictures above. If you are not inspired to design your own shape, you can use the measurement from the picture below to trace them onto your leather.<br />
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Once we have chosen the style and colour, and also decided if it is going to be made of genuine leather (I buy mine from a remnant basket, and one such piece is usually more than enough) or faux leather (a cheaper option, but perhaps not as durable), we can copy the shape of the pads onto the wrong side of the leather. Faux leather works with pencil and colour pencils, but for genuine leather you will need to use a pen. Make sure you are ON THE WRONG side. You can also draw the pads directly on the piece of leather. I traced my triangles using the dressmaking copying paper and traced them the same way as I do with fabric.<br />
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I like to use best the space and use up all the leather, so I copy the pattern pieces very close to each other. This also saves time and work when cutting them out.<br />
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Once we are ready, and we have enough pieces (just make sure you have drawn a few extra pieces in case anything goes wrong while cutting), we can start with the rotary cutter. It is very useful as it cuts well through any leather (and also your skin...). To finish, we can use a smaller cutter or very sharp scissors. These will not work, though, with thick leather, but on the other hand, will be great for faux leather.<br />
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Now we will need <b>the straps</b>. It is really up to you how long they will be. Make sure you take into account the size of the toggles or buttons you are going to use, as sometimes extra length is needed. I will use 11 cm - 4 3/8" long straps. Cut your leather strap into even pieces. You can also make them from leather, for better matching. These should be wide enough to prove strong, but thin enough to go through the holes of your buttons! I used 4 mm - 3/16" wide straps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBHqm8dmPj9tlQrceubTs6cixRyt0Yq_o9dkuZ5JGdEAa9aaVpW-wJVNRnK6Y4BbB61BH9gGR4N2fJOMZBXPLofMw5F8XHRu0bVgHJ1_EbEvwdFAmwN62hS11sYUVB-ywPBBfBlabH5qp/s1600/straps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBHqm8dmPj9tlQrceubTs6cixRyt0Yq_o9dkuZ5JGdEAa9aaVpW-wJVNRnK6Y4BbB61BH9gGR4N2fJOMZBXPLofMw5F8XHRu0bVgHJ1_EbEvwdFAmwN62hS11sYUVB-ywPBBfBlabH5qp/s400/straps.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made the straps for the off-white colour closures <br />
and bought a leather thread of 3 mm wide for the black ones. </td></tr>
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The next step is to glue the straps to the pieces of leather. This is temporary, so you do not need to use a very strong glue. Glue gun is OK as long as you use just a tiny bit of it, as it may create bulk you do not want. If you are using super glue, make sure you apply just a bit, and towards the center of the pad, as it hardens and you still need to sew the closure to your coat. The best is of course a special glue for leather. Then I use pegs to make sure they are pressed well and long enough. Remember to thread the buttons BEFORE gluing, and also, make sure they are all facing the same way.<br />
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Make sure you have made one the same number of loops as you have buttons. Now we are ready to sew them onto the coat. My advice is to glue the closures temporarily to the wool - otherwise who know how they will end up. Here, machine-sewing is as good as hand-sewing. If your closures are made of genuine leather, it is advisable to make holes beforehand for hand stitching. If you are machine-sewing them, remember to set the stitch length to 3, for example, as to short stitch will make the closure prone to breaking. I use special needles for leather, which I do recommend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjB1VepOfreSVBmOXmge7KbTxmKL82wx_5FROnIqnPHhyphenhyphentG_-vtnrvzNkK_qc4rMRJT7GXw-XGvUEOJSaa7vQZ69emx2aPVbHSGBK0IZUxqd-bbj927BjDeVFCU-VwduGYdpODlxBXBQ7/s1600/black+ready.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjB1VepOfreSVBmOXmge7KbTxmKL82wx_5FROnIqnPHhyphenhyphentG_-vtnrvzNkK_qc4rMRJT7GXw-XGvUEOJSaa7vQZ69emx2aPVbHSGBK0IZUxqd-bbj927BjDeVFCU-VwduGYdpODlxBXBQ7/s640/black+ready.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Et voilà !</span></div>
Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-13865857164867377412016-11-03T13:44:00.000+01:002018-02-08T17:42:18.064+01:00Boot buttonsNowadays, most footwear is designed to fasten with Velcros, zippers and snaps, some have shoelaces, and some even have parts made of elastic to minimize the fuss with fastening and unfastening. But in the olden days, especially women's boots had a row <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/472672669/24-small-black-boot-buttons-glass-and?ref=shop_home_active_7">tiny buttons</a> on metal loop shanks. They were popular until 1940s, when other closure systems became more widespread.<br />
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<a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/117/0/8811554/iss_640x640.6292353_rmc3os0d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/117/0/8811554/iss_640x640.6292353_rmc3os0d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The boot <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/462761638/small-pink-boot-buttons-vintage-glass?ref=shop_home_active_1">buttons</a> above are quite a luxury compared to most of the kind, made of glass and painted in beautiful colours, like mint green or pale pink. Most boot buttons, however, were made of enameled metal, and the colours were far less exciting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqODdfwZo2Tv1eOH3QAdKvToKgrrTrqSNWg1YiDJX32eQHT-4TpjhbLxKmhHwWcY8tpdGigyYUffZ3fa_I0e6GpPt8pljkIzj19F8aM_3IEmJ-tIBbuGlPC9VHQ3rButsXKdbhNe2xWzXF/s1600/boot+buttons+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqODdfwZo2Tv1eOH3QAdKvToKgrrTrqSNWg1YiDJX32eQHT-4TpjhbLxKmhHwWcY8tpdGigyYUffZ3fa_I0e6GpPt8pljkIzj19F8aM_3IEmJ-tIBbuGlPC9VHQ3rButsXKdbhNe2xWzXF/s200/boot+buttons+1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnLi8VsabnsaWfRI0Z0EJB3T1vhTbS11-eEjOcMchqpiN6aUYGVDrHN9fnd2MqSJoEynh0Qt_g3NcfTLwHEFpCxwO0ah4r5FASJSACZJ6ZoJ3IQBLVWfhthH9TPCHlaoN3xKMqWtUscg0/s1600/boot+buttons+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnLi8VsabnsaWfRI0Z0EJB3T1vhTbS11-eEjOcMchqpiN6aUYGVDrHN9fnd2MqSJoEynh0Qt_g3NcfTLwHEFpCxwO0ah4r5FASJSACZJ6ZoJ3IQBLVWfhthH9TPCHlaoN3xKMqWtUscg0/s200/boot+buttons+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZsY5uOHD4Vyvo0zUj_yGt4qSLxxsghM-o-T_5ZQaV1yQaky2zKSCQ8OxgNVFJVT-5Mzp7CRMFVxyJaiRrgJH1_dBhC72ZO0niP3cGQRftIgV4IlHNENHH3UW_vTTTNX6T52YQtEI9hGR/s1600/od+kozaczk%25C3%25B3w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1600" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZsY5uOHD4Vyvo0zUj_yGt4qSLxxsghM-o-T_5ZQaV1yQaky2zKSCQ8OxgNVFJVT-5Mzp7CRMFVxyJaiRrgJH1_dBhC72ZO0niP3cGQRftIgV4IlHNENHH3UW_vTTTNX6T52YQtEI9hGR/s200/od+kozaczk%25C3%25B3w.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYKqaeHFCEZdCgenoGzBMOwuYPbCJ7VpJLtMzD9rkjQeHZF81JfUVfpFfGFcVOFIxNfcfXT6l0arzybSKNjDqbYhu-2693T57kW2J6X0ebkNq_1vLszEX0c4jkh3agvdKA3SCNTUjPm6T/s1600/pudelko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYKqaeHFCEZdCgenoGzBMOwuYPbCJ7VpJLtMzD9rkjQeHZF81JfUVfpFfGFcVOFIxNfcfXT6l0arzybSKNjDqbYhu-2693T57kW2J6X0ebkNq_1vLszEX0c4jkh3agvdKA3SCNTUjPm6T/s200/pudelko.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The last few of the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/558061528/tiny-boot-buttons-black-vintage-buttons?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">boot buttons</a> here are made of lucite plastic and metal. Really small pieces. No wonder women took a long time to get ready, when they had to fasten all the buttons up the calf, even if they had ankle boots. Nonetheless, in mid-19th century, someone has come up with a very clever idea how to speed up the process and a button hook was conceived.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/HornWoodButtonhooks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/HornWoodButtonhooks.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The button hooks were useful also for waistcoats and gloves, which usually had planty of tiny buttons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As you can see, the buttonhooks came in all possible shapes and sizes, with the handle made of various materials. The collection above, from Bedford Museum, shows hooks with wooden and bone handles. I can also see some antler handles here, and below, a few luxury silver ones.<br />
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Button hooks were so ubiquitous that some companies used to give them out for free as a form of promotion, with the brand name of the company engraved on the handle. I guess these were really useful! You can read more about the history of this unusual invention on <a href="http://www.thebuttonhooksociety.com/introduction.php">this website dedicated to buttonhook collecting</a>.<br />
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Nowadays, boot buttons, if they are sewn to boots and not glued, are usually only for decoration, with an alternative, more practical closure concealed somewhere else.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/5e/58/fb/5e58fb202cf31b76d3ba0157f9d7d76c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/5e/58/fb/5e58fb202cf31b76d3ba0157f9d7d76c.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/69549704/vintage-antique-1900s-boots-rare-button" target="_blank">These boots</a> are no longer for sale <br />
but you can find plenty more on etsy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-79711507938866614902016-10-11T12:53:00.002+02:002022-12-18T22:28:04.693+01:00Button stampsDear all,<br />
<br />
Until recently, I used to buy the button stamps for envelope decor on Etsy, from other sellers - something very practical and time saving. But then I asked my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/skullandcrossbuns" target="_blank">stamp</a> provider if she could carve one specially for me. She said she was very busy and could not carve any custom stamps....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2u0KLU8XqzQ-oZMeh-YOoPiLgXZrkw_eP4zukuX5OsJk89Fd9EkfvPDWczVPHQTpenbxQ71dhYSADaC4SX4crfaKsl3zSKFQkOYlsksxjAK_1x2d2ZMGJMLbfz58bXy-9DCy59QZcXNI/s1600/IMG_2793.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bubblemailers with button stamps" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2u0KLU8XqzQ-oZMeh-YOoPiLgXZrkw_eP4zukuX5OsJk89Fd9EkfvPDWczVPHQTpenbxQ71dhYSADaC4SX4crfaKsl3zSKFQkOYlsksxjAK_1x2d2ZMGJMLbfz58bXy-9DCy59QZcXNI/w640-h480/IMG_2793.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
That's when I decided to try my hand at stamp carving. I bought a set of 3 tools (very cheap in TIGER store full of craft ideas), which were good for the beginning, but not as good for carving lines, so I had to order an <a href="http://totenart.com/" target="_blank">extra tool</a> online. I also purchased some rubber for carving. And then sat down and started playing with my new toys :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjHuDVdLCbmyF1yw2bbGLkSCnKoCiw_vbiAOf775CAIrRI81AL9q5mYa8fLA07C8Igc_X6YEgujQ6wIUD65bzbWZ4owz4pX1FiAdM9uOoS72hBneezYJVBmozsZnw6UDYwIEIUUm9xgda/s1600/carving.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cutter and other tools for rubber" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjHuDVdLCbmyF1yw2bbGLkSCnKoCiw_vbiAOf775CAIrRI81AL9q5mYa8fLA07C8Igc_X6YEgujQ6wIUD65bzbWZ4owz4pX1FiAdM9uOoS72hBneezYJVBmozsZnw6UDYwIEIUUm9xgda/w400-h300/carving.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used my own <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesVintageButtons" target="_blank">vintage buttons</a> designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QdYYRck2wkslmMtEzkHZXTiMoHvf4_BjtXJI2zT7xlMo7_vksV-dq_-QlPtGqalUCS4zPDMSgOW1iQExHMer4d7dvB1mGBlina2tCotC_b-n1sOThyphenhyphen8o6lMDfhGPQei6z9A-Gfc5kwNI/s1600/my+first+stamp+ever.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hand carved rubber stamp" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QdYYRck2wkslmMtEzkHZXTiMoHvf4_BjtXJI2zT7xlMo7_vksV-dq_-QlPtGqalUCS4zPDMSgOW1iQExHMer4d7dvB1mGBlina2tCotC_b-n1sOThyphenhyphen8o6lMDfhGPQei6z9A-Gfc5kwNI/w400-h300/my+first+stamp+ever.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The first button carved in rubber was not as impressive as I expected, but I guess it is normal. I had to learn how to handle the tools and I did not know how deep I should carve at first. But with some practice I managed to improve my skill and carved some more pieces.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLewvC-FSKw7LmdMUXBmbWoyw9MyEYo1NC3sR7cichvo18ka0jp5aJ3TSshQ_eGKmNUVzYtkzh4XTHMWiovdxg_E0Y2I_zvdeEEqe3YtT7rNC-VyhpPldqRda4hReE9yZDlNgjHZ2zkV92/s1600/ready.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="hand made rubber stamps" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLewvC-FSKw7LmdMUXBmbWoyw9MyEYo1NC3sR7cichvo18ka0jp5aJ3TSshQ_eGKmNUVzYtkzh4XTHMWiovdxg_E0Y2I_zvdeEEqe3YtT7rNC-VyhpPldqRda4hReE9yZDlNgjHZ2zkV92/w400-h300/ready.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/459398140/vintage-button-card-with-8-small-red-and" target="_blank">small button</a> you can see at the bottom here that first inspired me to carve.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_iWFquWRS2EpYBJIAZgdMbxHAy7DNSNRvyPJ1kSAotTYAGlRjnvl3kbNDbCXJVzQKoTCKbIHyzesWI6lc854-xQ7kmNaSx-fqb8OcBgiBRqt_JfpO_YgtkwlQt7sIt8bz5qP6Ckz5VbS/s1600/new+styles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="decorated bubble mailers" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_iWFquWRS2EpYBJIAZgdMbxHAy7DNSNRvyPJ1kSAotTYAGlRjnvl3kbNDbCXJVzQKoTCKbIHyzesWI6lc854-xQ7kmNaSx-fqb8OcBgiBRqt_JfpO_YgtkwlQt7sIt8bz5qP6Ckz5VbS/w400-h300/new+styles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how my envelopes look now :) Do you recognize that <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/464408730/large-black-buttons-made-of-casein-with?ref=shop_home_active_25" target="_blank">black button</a>? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All in all, carving rubber stamp is not that difficult. I had a lot of fun doing it and I think I will continue as long as I have the inspiration from my vintage buttons :)<br />
<br />
Rubber stamps provide just one possible idea how to decorate envelopes with orders. Do you have another favourite way of doing it?Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-41162929465132339522016-10-07T21:23:00.001+02:002016-11-02T22:19:35.818+01:00Celluloid - the indispensabe spy's equipmentCelluloid buttons were the very first I could identify among my buttons. I could clearly see they were unlike the other buttons. And I was not wrong. But first I have to explain myself why I used this unlikely title for this post. Celluloid sheets formed part of basic spy tools: as it is a highly inflammable material, these sheets helped them destroy classified information before it reached the hands of the enemy. During cold war it must have been something very common (I mean both destroying and acquiring classified information). Nowadays spying is more about hacking, so more silicon than celluloid is used in the industry. So let's get back to the buttons.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuceQGNAYlszbiqp7AgJnA03yc98OfdEdVY2o-2dD9Nn7gtcosUbnGz2qjFLP2eb81Kit_Y6llVTX6OldrQpeb1nlf5cYBXqVaLlYP-DYu5xem3eVn1z4BAiWXinx6K4Tsg9GVGnH2TvB/s1600/celluloid+buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuceQGNAYlszbiqp7AgJnA03yc98OfdEdVY2o-2dD9Nn7gtcosUbnGz2qjFLP2eb81Kit_Y6llVTX6OldrQpeb1nlf5cYBXqVaLlYP-DYu5xem3eVn1z4BAiWXinx6K4Tsg9GVGnH2TvB/s640/celluloid+buttons.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A range of celluloid buttons from my original collection. <br />
Some have already sold out. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Celluloid </span></h4>
- was the very first thermoplastic in history. It is actually made of cellulose, although mixed and exposed to other substances. It was invented as early as mid-nineteenth century, but it was most commonly used for button production between 1930s and 1950s. Other uses were, for example, in photography and movie films, toys, like dolls; table tennis balls and the already mentioned celluloid sheets used to destroy secret notes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85InpRv_Y2PHAQsyMhwxPR8opitm_pYF_mdosCrvYClPmRTqbaloeVccMIQ8Pq_Q_8pSgFz23e01tGXkGwjIbe321vSWAh-i0jmd9dYtekaSOhJEyNYtaJUT0TGhlVCbaT2AgGB2MMber/s1600/red+celluloid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85InpRv_Y2PHAQsyMhwxPR8opitm_pYF_mdosCrvYClPmRTqbaloeVccMIQ8Pq_Q_8pSgFz23e01tGXkGwjIbe321vSWAh-i0jmd9dYtekaSOhJEyNYtaJUT0TGhlVCbaT2AgGB2MMber/s400/red+celluloid.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celluloid buttons can preserve the dye really well. Look at these 1950s buttons.<br />
Some 1980s plastic buttons may have faded, but not these.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">How to identify celluloid</span></h4>
The most remarkable thing about <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/173793840/big-brown-or-beige-buttons-3-large" target="_blank">celluloid buttons</a> is the sound they make against each other. If you have ever played table tennis, you will identify it easily. If not, maybe you could try it? It is a valuable lesson.<br />
<br />
Another thing is its weight. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesVintageButtons?section_id=20314709" target="_blank">Celluloid buttons</a> are much lighter than acrylic or <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/384756432/12-dark-brown-buttonsmade-of-casein" target="_blank">casein buttons</a>. And you can actually perceive this difference just by taking it in your hand. No scales needed. This is an advantage when considering using large buttons in a sewing project. Also, you can identify them easily wth no need of extra paraphernalia, like when testing for bakelite, even outdoors in a street market.<br />
<br />
Never use hot needle for testing celluloid! While this method may leave a horrible mark on most other materials, celluloid may burn spontaneously. Better take the table tennis lesson.<br />
<br />
Also, celluloid is very brittle. It is easy to break, crack and chip. Sometimes this characteristic was even taken into account in the button design, so it would have a rough finish:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/128/1/8811554/il_570xN.932457814_jfq6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/128/1/8811554/il_570xN.932457814_jfq6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/269963541" target="_blank">celluloid button</a> was designed in a way that any cracks will just add it extra roughness. <br />
This one is unused, so it looks perfect. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0ojo4xdHQVTLvfNRvHrZw-8NHhKEfBAFsI4LqVa9DxMXX2Z28UF31b1ZJom7pgDSrEPu7gEWz_PVxu6JwCmGPVXLKpRYeGgsvcCV1ixE5RRZPW7lNFuABIXYAUCmX2MIU4rDQqx3cKZL/s1600/spatoal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0ojo4xdHQVTLvfNRvHrZw-8NHhKEfBAFsI4LqVa9DxMXX2Z28UF31b1ZJom7pgDSrEPu7gEWz_PVxu6JwCmGPVXLKpRYeGgsvcCV1ixE5RRZPW7lNFuABIXYAUCmX2MIU4rDQqx3cKZL/s400/spatoal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, not all buttons are designed this way. <br />
If you see the image in full size, you will notice the cracks :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">How to handle celluloid</span></h4>
It is very important to remember, that this material is highly inflammable. Not only does it catch fire instantly, completely destroying the piece, but also, it may go on fire when exposed to high temperatures (for example, keep them away from hot iron or oven).<br />
<br />
Because they are so easy to break and crack, they should not be stored together in a bag. When sending them overseas, I usually wrap them generously in bubble wrap, so that they do not touch one another. I would aso recommend removing them from a garment if you are planning to wash it in high temperatures, or before leaving it at dry cleaner's. If you have some really nice pieces sewn to your favourite dress or blazer, chances are they will get broken in the process. And never ever use a hot iron when the buttons are still sewn to a garment, also for your own safety. The same for dry cleaner's: they don't check all clothes, just press them as they are with the same industrial stuff. You may lose the buttons, and the drycleaner's shop along with them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hwuRQo9T3uF8M0zbAlqVTF3M1sKILd3G_Kt4rC1S3ovnrL5TqbkmFEri6N4_ustQo9FrU95jICdCi15DGvBm923Xam-rM9yAgCAcFemCRMwNHKCVqOS9099YVYhvYjKsffbs8E0JgS6L/s1600/caramel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hwuRQo9T3uF8M0zbAlqVTF3M1sKILd3G_Kt4rC1S3ovnrL5TqbkmFEri6N4_ustQo9FrU95jICdCi15DGvBm923Xam-rM9yAgCAcFemCRMwNHKCVqOS9099YVYhvYjKsffbs8E0JgS6L/s1600/caramel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plain caramel brown buttons, made of celluloid, on a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/169833872" target="_blank">vintage button card</a>. These could be used in a coat, but remember to remove them before washing or leaving at dry cleaner's!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425240241017981941.post-74101933797954365492016-09-29T12:55:00.000+02:002016-10-12T10:47:45.579+02:00How to open a successful shop on EtsyI am aware this is not the first nor the last post on the Internet to explain how to do business on Etsy. Actually, I don't think one post would be enough to answer this question properly. Nevertheless, I will try to explain some basics, in order to help anyone wishing to start a successful business on their own or simply looking for advice on how to improve. This is especially valuable to anyone who thinks they have good skill or interesting items to sell, but can't find a buyer locally. Etsy is a worldwide exhibition window and only you can put limits to it. <a href="https://hannacheda.com/useful-links/" target="_blank">Jobs in Spain</a> are scarce these days, and Etsy can make you a living.<br />
<br />
Today, 3 years on and more than a thousand sales after I ventured on this project, I have 2 shops and lots of stock to post. I have hundreds of satisfied customers and all-stars reviews, which I am really proud of.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEpliVKCcEf_jzBAczOZ7M0e4fRwBNC2dlZHN-Z1dhwBGZODHTL0Uq6PdH8I2vo_cxyRqGCq_qkezRIMFh37amvKbFGx3HRE3AeceHx0_15nrPOWKgYrIXPLaIb76iuDrmcvu1UhhnLlx/s1600/shop+screen+full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEpliVKCcEf_jzBAczOZ7M0e4fRwBNC2dlZHN-Z1dhwBGZODHTL0Uq6PdH8I2vo_cxyRqGCq_qkezRIMFh37amvKbFGx3HRE3AeceHx0_15nrPOWKgYrIXPLaIb76iuDrmcvu1UhhnLlx/s640/shop+screen+full.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the current look of my original <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesVintageButtons">shop on etsy</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
As you may have read in my initial <a href="http://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2016/02/hello-world.html" target="_blank">post about how I found the buttons</a>, I started from scratch and was ready to spend €5 on my business. Later I learnt that if you get invited to open a shop, you can start for free. Well, €5 was not such a big sum and I must say I recovered it quite quikly, but if you do not want to risk even that little, click <a href="http://etsy.me/2ceYNlk" target="_blank">HERE</a> (if the link does not work properly, <a href="mailto:ines.frambuesita@gmail.com">email me</a>).<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Know your competition</span></h4>
<br />
First of all, before you decide to bother yourself and waste time on opening an on-line buiness, it is advisable to a market research into similar items on etsy. Are there many people selling the same thing? Does this thing actually sell? Does it have any special added value? What kind of customers may be interested in it?<br />
<br />
If something doesn't exist on etsy,chances are, you have misspelled it. Otherwise, which would be very unlikely, you would have to assume that nobody sells anything like it, which could mean that IT DOESN'T SELL: But, as I said, this would be really strange. (You wouldn't believe what sort of stuff people sell on line...)<br />
<br />
If there are too many websites selling similar items, think of the added value, or uniqueness of your products. There are lots of shops selling handmade jewellery, but not too many sell jewellery made of natural materials like seeds. There are lots of buttons out there, but not too many which are larger than 40 mm, and the bigger, the more sought after!<br />
<br />
Also, you can see how the prices range among the competition. You shouldn't, of course, make your product way cheaper, because people may suspect it is worse quality. But if you are the most expensive, people will prefer to buy from someone else.<br />
<br />
It is a good idea to find a role model among shops selling similar items, one that you would like to become, say, in two years' time. It is really motivating and makes it easier to establish short-term and long-term goals.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stock up your shop</span></h4>
Once you have opened the shop, you must fill it with <b>stock</b>! Use all the free listings, or at least 30 to begin with. If you think you do not have enough range to post 30, think of something easy to make or post and make lots of colours (like these <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/449392504/reversible-blue-peter-pan-collar" target="_blank">peter pan collars</a>), or post the same item twice if you have two, using different photos and descriptions. Also, this will give you insight to what is more attractive, which description works better etc.<br />
<br />
Remember taht shops with just a few items will not get many visits. Or no visits at all.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Make photography your priority</span></h4>
<br />
While Etsy keeps repeating this all the time, giving you lots of tips, you may want to get some basics. If you are a professional photographer, you know what to do without advice. But if you are an amatuer, just like me, you will see that it takes time to learn the skill. However, in one of my previous posts I wrote a short guide for anyone who wants to <a href="http://agnesvintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2016/07/how-to-take-good-product-photos.html" target="_blank">take good product pictures for selling purposes</a>.<br />
<br />
If you follow this advice, I am sure you will be able to attract customers with your photographs.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Product titles are key</span></h4>
<br />
This is the most important part of SEO on Etsy. You must make it clear what your product is here, and also match the search terms you potential customers may use. To do this, you could do a research by looking for similar items on Etsy. This way you will see what search terms you yourself are using - write these down - plus, you can get an idea from the top results of how to write a successful title.<br />
<br />
Use 3-4 word phrases, including the main keyword in each. For example:<br />
<b>Black leather handbag, natural leather purse, large shoulder bag</b><br />
<br />
Ideally, these should be joined into longer phrases, which will make them sound more naturally, like:<br />
<b>Black leather handbag with long shoulder strap</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Make sure you use the most important keywords at the beginning. To find out what is most sought, you can use <a href="https://www.google.es/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj0oNX8xYLPAhVC1xQKHRaiBdYQFggeMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fadwords.google.com%2FKeywordPlanner%3Fhl%3Dpl&usg=AFQjCNEfAASWDt-cA8ZT2N0wrm0ajwCIaA&sig2=Nl6QvgPEjEN1xgim3rlaDw" target="_blank">google keyword tool</a>. Remember to use all the synonyms here, as well as in the product description.<br />
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Also, words like "beautiful", "amazing" and "pretty" will not work. Not only because beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but simply because, nobody uses these terms to search for anything. Have you youself ever looked for anything by typing 'beautiful'?<br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Product descriptions</span></h4>
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This part should also start with a short description, more sentence-like, of your product. The first words are the most important. I initially made the mistake of writing: 'A lot including 7 large green buttons' at first, missing the hits for buttons. And few people look for 'a lot including'. Now I usually start with something like 'Extra large buttons' or '7 blue buttons', or 'a buttton card with'<br />
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Do not make your description too long. I doubt whether many people would read more than a few lines of it anyway. Make sure you have enlisted the most important features. I use a list, like the one below (this one is from a buckle description):<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
colour: dark brown<br />
diameter: 90 mm / 3 9/16"<br />
Suitable for 54 mm / 2 1/16" belts</blockquote>
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Do not include all the shipping options and shop policies here. These have a specific space on your shop page. Also, if you want, you can pinpoint the most important questions in FAQ, which will be displayed right below the description, also on mobile devices.<br />
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You can also add information about the manufacturing process, care, or even the item's history if it is a vintage object. These are usually interesting to read. But do not ramble on length.<br />
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<u>Mind, that on mobile devices, and that includes tablets too, the item description is not displayed at first sight</u>. And few people click on "more info" (they even prefer to send a convo with a question about something they could easily read there). So, if you have some important characretistics, for example in my case, the button size, add this in 'Variations', even if there is only one size available. This will add an extra line in the details column, visible also on mobile devices. I started doing that when more and more people suddenly started asking me a lot of questions about the dimensions, although the information was already provided in product descriptions. I soon changed all listings to include this extra line of information, and guess what? I don't get these questions anymore.<br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tags or Search Terms</span></h4>
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These are for sheer SEO purposes, so make sure you do not add too many descriptive words which are not used but potential buyers. But... how to know what is used in search?<br />
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<ul>
<li>One way to do it is to go to Stats and check all the most popular search ter</li>
<li>ms over a time, and use these or similar. But you can only do that after your shop has been running for, say, a month in the very least.</li>
<li>Another way is to use the <a href="https://www.google.es/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj0oNX8xYLPAhVC1xQKHRaiBdYQFggeMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fadwords.google.com%2FKeywordPlanner%3Fhl%3Dpl&usg=AFQjCNEfAASWDt-cA8ZT2N0wrm0ajwCIaA&sig2=Nl6QvgPEjEN1xgim3rlaDw" target="_blank">google keyword tool</a> to get some real numbers. </li>
<li>Again, you may imaginne you are looking for this item and see what you use. </li>
<li>Go to the 'Search for items or shops' field and introduce one word, for eample 'buttons' and one space. Etsy will automatically give you some hints on what you may be looking for. These are popular search terms. </li>
<li>Don't be afraid to experiment. A good idea is to use one completely unique tag out of 13 which will be unlike anything else. For example, I used <i>klingon style</i> for one of the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/172112492" target="_blank">buttons</a>. Now guess what? Somebody actually used it and clicked on the buttons. You may discover a whole world of strange search terms that people use!</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL44KOXRnL8cy3FbtJBDrXlvuq58E7-49n4i1yMNhBDQ4L80bL0yXl6dBLHIFFJyXAEeuRSjuK3RO9cj0YdWSsP_Qm_5tK9-4q62tyOl5NiSwQ0GERAFCCY0tgdHigWj8m50T8PI-oqjPu/s1600/tags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL44KOXRnL8cy3FbtJBDrXlvuq58E7-49n4i1yMNhBDQ4L80bL0yXl6dBLHIFFJyXAEeuRSjuK3RO9cj0YdWSsP_Qm_5tK9-4q62tyOl5NiSwQ0GERAFCCY0tgdHigWj8m50T8PI-oqjPu/s1600/tags.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you choose the right category for your product, this will add some valuable tags to your list. Look at the first four keywords, with capital letters. These were added automatically, and they are really strong.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Avoid tags like 'round buttons'. Obviously, some buttons are round, but if you someone is looking for buttons, they will just write 'buttons', unless they specifically want triangular or square ones. I did that at the beginning too, as I didn't know how to use up all the 13 tags.<br />
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One of the most important things I have learnt about the tags is that you should <b>use two or three words instead of just one </b>for every one of them. At the beginning I did not know that and used tags like:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
'button', 'black', 'large', 'flower' etc. </div>
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Believe me, hardly anyone visited my shop. And then I dug the Etsy blogs and in an old discussion post some suggested this to someone else. I decided to try it and BOOM! My stats sky-rocketed! Now I usually use:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
'black buttons', 'large buttons', 'flower buttons', etc. </div>
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It doesn't matter if you repeat the key word several times. Google may not like it, but it will help you gain visibility on Etsy. It is important that you understand that Etsy and Google SEO do not work the same way. It is really great to be found on Google, but even more important to get found on Etsy.<br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Your appearance shows you are a professional</span></h4>
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We may not judge a book by its cover but we certainly measure the professionalism by the image a shop gives. This is why you should upload a shop logo, a background picture and a banner (I use this one for packaging slip). Ideally all of them in coordinating colous and themes. Your picture is also a sign that you are a professional - but also a human. No scam. You can use other professionals to help you out. There are thousands of <a href="http://www.sombrasblancasdesign.com/" target="_blank">designers </a>on Etsy, specialised in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/sombrasblancasdesign" target="_blank">Shop logos and banners</a>. You can also have a go and try to make it yourself.<br />
Don't worry about the background picture - you can improve it later. To start with, you can use a picture of your range, for example, clothes on pegs, I used to have a picture of several button cards, simply cropped into the measurements that Etsy required.<br />
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I was lucky, because my sister, who sometimes does graphic design, and also calligraphy, designed a logo for me. With it, I created a nice background composition, using my items.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/126/0/10961386/isbl_1680x420.21646290_hct1nrt9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/126/0/10961386/isbl_1680x420.21646290_hct1nrt9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the background photo of my newer <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AgnesSewingSupplies" target="_blank">shop</a>. I used the same logo for branding purposes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I use free software for that, like IrfanView and Inkscape. At some point I even used MS PowerPoint to put together some compositions.<br />
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Make sure you select a few nice items as featured listings, which will appear at the top of your shop. This will draw people's attention to them and plus, it will add 4 more items to your first page, which is especially important if you do not have too many items.<br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Add new items regularly</span></h4>
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It is definitely a bad idea to add all your items the very first day and then just sit down and wait what happens. The Internet loves fresh content and it is insatiable. So it is best to keep feeding it regularly, but little by little. Later on you will have to renew the listings (they only live on Etsy for 4 months). This will give them new life, and it is also a good moment to revise them and change a part of the title or tags to something that works better.<br />
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New and renewed items also pop up on your fans' main sites. So do the Updates, which are pictures you can upload from the mobile Sell on Etsy App. These are also a good idea to bring your buttons to potential buyers, but you will have to install an app on your mobile or tablet. While it is convenient to have it on a device with a camera, it is best to upload quality pictures, taken with a normal camera, as they will be displayed also on computer screens.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO9s3ux7fbl5W2Dxtjyf9n1rkpbwS907ARpnjQBNWBur4NJ9uanYxvI90Za7w4gGQgCOiEquxKjjwl3dfXeFa1h3XjpQInsPw5-aczMJrJw6CtyB0O_EBMSHTD6ngRE9_lvR4uBSd-QgI/s1600/etsy+shop+updates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO9s3ux7fbl5W2Dxtjyf9n1rkpbwS907ARpnjQBNWBur4NJ9uanYxvI90Za7w4gGQgCOiEquxKjjwl3dfXeFa1h3XjpQInsPw5-aczMJrJw6CtyB0O_EBMSHTD6ngRE9_lvR4uBSd-QgI/s640/etsy+shop+updates.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etsy shop updates are best when they include a picture of an item during the production process or a finished product in use, rather than just a repeated detail picture, although sometimes it is not a bad idea to post a close-up photo which is not the main product picture. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Don't forget about social media, the word of mouth and some good old business cards to promote your shop. Well, how to promote the hop after it has been opened could fill one or more new posts...</div>
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I hope you have enjoyed reading this post and even more, you found it helpful. Making mistakes is normal. Learning from them is intelligent. And if you can, avoid them by reading posts like this one.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Good luck!</span></h4>
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Agneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16462455641009438225noreply@blogger.com0