* 2014 AZ State Button Convention

Looking at this photo, would you believe this is my Happy place?

IMG_9998

I know it looks quiet but I don’t care. What these people are looking at is AWESOME.

This was my 4th year attending the AZ State Button Convention held at the Hilton Garden Inn located on Avondale Rd south of the I10 freeway. Photos taken with permission.

I got to see familiar faces and the out of state vendors traveled from all over the country, even Hawaii. They brought with them over 250 categories of buttons in price ranges from twenty five cents to over three thousand dollars. Gary Brockman has very organized displays and he always has the most expensive ones.

Pencil mark next to the buttons is their price.

Most buttons are displayed on boards such as these. You flip through them like record albums. Courtesy: Gary Brockman

Most buttons are displayed on boards such as these. You flip through them like record albums.
Courtesy: Gary Brockman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy: Gary Brockman

Courtesy: Gary Brockma

LACD translates to "she has given in" 18th century mens coat button Courtesy:Gary Brockman

LACD translates to “she has given in” 18th century mens coat button
Courtesy:Gary Brockman

 

I attended the event with my good friend Nancy. She’s also loves buttons. She makes the most beautiful mixed media artwork, check out her etsy page. Her pieces will make you happy. We went to a medieval buttons class that was soooo interesting. To see those photos, click here.

Nancy & I

Nancy & I

Here’s a few of the fun buttons I found this year.

Mosaic Buttons Courtesy: Joni jgoldbarg@yahoo.com

Mosaic Buttons Courtesy:
Joni jgoldbarg@yahoo.com

 

Handmade from China

Handmade from China

 

Horse Buttons Courtesy: BysonButtons.com

Horse Buttons
Courtesy: BysonButtons.com

 

Mosaic Buttons Courtesy: Joni jgoldbarg@yahoo.com

Mosaic Buttons Courtesy:
Joni jgoldbarg@yahoo.com

 

Dog Buttons Courtesy: Bysonbuttons.com

Dog Buttons
Courtesy: Bysonbuttons.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found lots of fireman & bling buttons, some of my favorites. Would you believe I took a class on how to clean buttons. There is a woman named Nancy and cleaning buttons seems to be her passion. She had great tips & advice from years of experimenting.

Only 12 more months until i get to go again. Sigh.

 

 

About Ruby Mae Jewelry

I'm Leah Williams and I adore fabulous buttons and brooches, chains and charms. I find it exciting to look into old tin cans passed down through the generations. They hold buttons and hardware removed from all types of garments. I reuse old buttons and it connects me to men and women that I'll never get to meet. I leave the original thread on a button. I'm inspired to create something new from something that was forgotten. I love, love, love it.