the art of the button
The button has grown from originally being a simple toggle button to becoming a beautiful piece of art used in the modern world. The button was originally made with whatever material could be found, but now there is a selection of materials for all types of buttons. The most common materials/styles of buttons today are: snap, shank, cufflinks, wood, coconut, pearl, shell, metal, plastic, resin, and rhinestone (11). Of course there are more buttons then this, but these are the main ones one will find in the USA. There is also, of course, the fabric button covers which make the button material underneath obsolete. Each individual button brings something to the table with its own artistic meaning, history, and more. On this page we will continue to talk more in depth of the art history of buttons in the USA.
Fabric Button covers
The first fabric button covers were simplistic and beautiful, but they took forever to make with hand sewing as the only option. Then, the first ever fabric button cover machine was made in the USA and revolutionized the button and popularized the fabric covered button (12). The machine is meant to last forever and withstand the test of time. This simplistic, yet genius, machine give button makers more room for creativity because they have more time to embroider the fabric for the buttons.
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Creations made of buttons
In the last few years "button art" has emerged and become quite popular in the USA. Pinterest has contributed largely to this new crafting trend. Pinterest was founded by three Americans in 2010 (13). This new kind of social media targeted crafters as a key demographic and helped spread the latest and freshest crafty trends. Of these trends button art came about and revolutionized the button world. Button art work has since been showcased in art shows, button shows, and other such prestigious institutes displaying art. Other forms of button art also emerged like jewelry making with buttons. In addition to using mixed media to create beautiful things, this has expanded the button world to those who may have not been interested in it before.
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