Page 13 - December2001

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December 2001 N'{T,l t ) i{"{\ L, IB T i ).1\ B Lll, ["8 lf'tr,\ 267

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7.If you don't already have the following items, then purchase:
scissors, ruler) magnifying glass, small flashlight, awl, pipe cleaners,
plastic coated telephone w,ire, and poster board. (From one 28" x 40"
board, you can cut nine 9" x 12" boards). Simchrome polish is excel-
lent for cleaning metal buttons; sudsy warm water works for glass and
a Q-Tip with a dab of baby oil will clean and brighten horn, rubber,
and pearl buttons.
8. Start mounting your buttons on poster board by topics or materials.
For example, all glass buttons on ons card; all metal on a different
card, or all animals on one card and all flowers on another card.
9. At this point, you may want to purchase a small storage cabinet.
They are usually sold in hardware stores and have many plastic
drawers (usually for nails, screws, etc.), but they can provide a safe
home for loose buttons.
10. To be a savvy collector, you must first have the knowledge. So go
back to No. 4. Include the Classification booklet (which comes with
the February Bulletin) which includes the rules and regulations. Read
it and re-read it until it begins to make sense. MemorLze the basics
regarding age, divisions and size.(To accurately measure the size of
your buttons, purchase a button measure or two from National or from
a button dealer).
I I . Do consult the back pages of your National Bulletins for informa-
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tion on button dealers. Many - not all will send you or your club
"approvals". You tell the dealer what buttons you'd like (including the
price range): they send them to you. You buy what you want and
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return the rest. Most but not all dealers pay the postage to you and
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you pay the postage back. Check to see if a dealer has a minimum
requirement.
12.I'm sure I've omitted many other bits of advice, but I think that if

you follow what I did suggest, you'll be on the road to great adven-
tures, beautiful buttons, lasting friendships, and an enriched life. Most
of all, have fun and enjoy the hobby.

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