Figuring out display for buttons

[BelovedDollDesigns]

I'm still scratching my head over a display for my pinback buttons and there's going to be a lot. I don't want to just dump them in a bowl, though.

I have looked at photos of the way other people display them and it looks like the buttons are pinned to a vertical display board made with fabric. I feel that will be a pain in the butt to deal with so I was thinking of an idea similar to folks using these round displays that are separated into sections with the buttons in each section.

I thought about using the bead boxes from the craft store but breaking the lids off so I can taken them off during show time then just pop the lid back on for travel. But I worry their sections may be too small where folks wouldn't want to just go ahead and pick up the buttons.

Would the boxes be ok? Or are there a similar boxes that has bigger sections?

I don't like the "round" setup I have seen people do - looks too big for my table space and I'll have other items.

[Former_Member]

Cork board or cork tiles?

[TigersandDragons]

Why would the fabric board be a pain in the butt? Put the fabric over a piece of celing tile, inside a picture frame and hang it, or set it in an easel.
Cork boards don't let you pin very deep. Cork tiles are expensive.

You're correct that while the divided bead boxes would look good, people would have a hard time putting their fingers in to get the buttons. I think they would be worried about being stabbed by pins as they try to reach under the corner of a button to lift it up.

You can get clear cases with bigger divisions in the fishing area of department stores or a fishing gear store, some of these have removable divisions so you can customize.

Another suggestion is to put each button on a piece of cardstock then use binder clips to clip these onto a horizontal thick rope
or metal rod that you have made into a stand.

By "round" set up, do you mean a U shape?

[PlaynwithScraps]

I've displayed pins on a piece of foam board covered with felt. I propped it up and just stabbed the pins in wherever.

[TigersandDragons]

That would work too. However because I use our frames for years, I find the ceiling tiles are more durable than foamcore, and they take longer to warp compared to foamcore, when it comes to exposure to moisture.

[Former_Member]

You could try these:
http://www.gemsondisplay.com/shopexd.asp?id=900

They are inserts that fit into jewelry trays:
http://www.gemsondisplay.com/shopexd.asp?id=2199

The plastic trays stack and you can carry them in carrying cases:
http://www.gemsondisplay.com/shopexd.asp?id=664

Then you can just pull the trays out and set them up in rows on your table with one pin in each section of the tray insert. I display my jewelry this way and it works like a charm. Also make set up/tear down very easy and quick.

[BelovedDollDesigns]

For clarification, I meant that the display of the buttons is round. It's round with "slices" serving as the dividers, like how a pie looks after you slice it up.

@tigersanddragons - That is a great idea! I would not have thought to look in fishing stores for this type of thing.

@ Anthony - Thanks for the links! I'm going to take a gander.

[Former_Member]

Could you get a magnetic tile (or cover a board in sticky-back magnetic sheeting from the craft shop) and put the fabric over that? Then they should just stick.

[LizArti]

Maco - what a great idea!

[Former_Member]

Oh, thanks Anthony! I clicked into here because I was wondering about displaying buttons like you sew onto clothing, and THOSE should do nicely!

[Former_Member]

Most pinbacks are made with non-ferrous metals and wont stick to a magnet.

Don't use foamcore use insulating foam from the hardware store; similar to the foam in disposable coolers. It comes in multiple thicknesses, 1/2" to 4" and is super inexpensive, extremely durable. I still have the same boards for over 10 years now. Just changed the fabric for the third time.

What's nice is that they come in a 3x4' sheet and you can customize it any size you need. With a hacksaw blade or kitchen knife. If you want a real classy look fit the foam into old picture frames.

Speaking of which, you could use old frames and staple any number of fabrics to the inside. You could even use screen and different types of wire mesh depending on the look you want. If you did this option you'd slow down thefts too. Since you could pin them.

I'd do a small display and then leave the pinbacks in gift boxes in trays. You can make trays by repurposing used frames. I use multicolored boxes, purple and green happened to be on close-out and they make for a stunning combination when viewed from above; with the white batting softening the whole look.

People love a mystery, exploring, finding hidden treasure. Customers tend to linger searching for the "perfect" one. It tends to keep your booth full.

[TheSalvagedEdge]

I use an old printer tray for my pendants with a plywood cover for easy transport. I can set up over 200 pendant in less than 2 minutes. It's sweet. I have a pic on my about page.

[Former_Member]

Maco - they also have trays with 50 spaces, depending on the size you need.

[jill2day]

I use one of my dress forms (the are made to be pinned into) I just mad a simple black velvet cover for it, and pin them all over it... looks interesting and is a stand alone display.

[PandaLoveShop]

"Most pinbacks are made with non-ferrous metals and wont stick to a magnet."

---

But the button shells do stick to magnets. When I do craft shows, I have my pinback buttons in the bead boxes, muffin tins, or velvet jewelry tray organizers (you can find these at Michael's or Joann's). People didn't have a problem digging through them, and I had them organized by theme.

[Former_Member]

Anthony: I grabbed this instead: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/TDSONLINESTORE/4509086/24_IN_1_Natural_Wood_Jewelry_Sor...

Wood will look better given I'm going to be at a medieval faire.

[Former_Member]

Very cool. I've yet to do Ren fest though I'm hoping to soon. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

The cutest button display I have seen was simply long lengths of ribbon hanging down from a circular form like a mobile. It was really cute and had buttons pinned to the ribbon. They used washers or drapery weights at the end of the ribbon to add some weight.