After my last post, some of you wrote to ask about the machine that I used to make the Halloween buttons. Today I'll share with you the info that you are looking for. Please note that this is not a review but rather, a info-sharing opportunity. :-)
Using LD's Growing Up graphics set.
About 14 months ago, I bought a button machine. My friend, Candi Daitch helped me in the research and we found that button machines were available on many sites, including eBay. I ended up buying one from AmericanButtonMachines.com.
There are several models of button machines sold on their site but each model can only make ONE specific size of buttons. I settled on the smallest size - the 1" Professional Button System.
This model only makes 1" buttons and it was exactly what I was looking for. Besides pinback buttons and magnets, I had also wanted to make embellishments for cards and hair bows/pony tail holders. The 1" buttons was perfect for those purposes! With the right button parts, you can even make zipper pulls, key chains, and more!
The bundle that I bought from American Button Machines (ABM) was shipped and delivered promptly. As soon as the box got here, we tore into it and wasted no time to play with our new toy. Right off the bat, we made 200 pins for my Hubby to give away at a company product launch and after that, we made another 100 pins for the kids' to give away to their classmates.
My box from ABM included a hole puncher but only 250 button parts so I was really happy that I had also ordered and received 1000 parts from eBay. We were on a roll and it would have been disappointing to run out of button parts. We were having too much fun!
Calendar buttons! (Who else is tired of writing the dates over and over again every month?)
It has been a little over a year since we bought our button machine and we are still happily making pinback buttons, flatback buttons, and magnets with it today. I enjoy making and giving away our buttons but I really love that I have found another way to use my Lettering Delights files. The LD graphics and papers make super cute buttons!
Before you decide to buy a button machine, here are a few things to think about:
- 1 - The machine is costly. In my opinion, don't buy it if you are just using it for your own crafting needs. Even though buttons have been around forever, it is only fairly recently that folks started using them in paper-crafting. What are you going to use your machine for, after the fad passes? However, if you are considering to use it with the kids (think: craft fairs, fund-raising maybe?, school events, etc.), it may be a worthwhile investment.
- 2 - The machine only makes a single size buttons. For example, you can only make 1" buttons with the 1" button maker. Consider carefully the size of buttons that you want to make before deciding on a machine.
- 3 - Do your research. There are many places that sell this machine (manufactured by Tecre) but the prices vary. Check with the difference sites and compare prices to get the best deal. Don't forget to consider the prices of extra button parts (if included) and the shipping fees.
- 4 - HERE is a video that shows you how to make a button with the 1" button maker.
- 5 - I am not affiliated with the American Button Machines company but I'm happy to share today's info with you because we are super happy with our button machine. :)
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That's all that I have for you. Hope that answer some of your questions you have regarding my button machine. -)