What would you do with these??I found these in a thrift shop on Friday and thought $5.50 was too much for the bag of them - until I counted how many there were and realised it was only 50 cents each (I have a strong miserly streak AT TIMES). I love buttons from this era and in this style, but I have no clue what to do with these buckles! My waist prohibits the wearing of belts 
and I really do make far too many bags already. I think they would make very cool pins if something was added to them. Come on ideas!! Ulla would know what to do - she can make something exquisite out of anything!
Thanks for all the reassuring comments. It’s amazing just how many of us small-talking hating, snarky-pants women with messy houses there actually are. We should, like, SO form a club. And Paris Hilton would, like, SO not be allowed to join.
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May 13, 2007 at 3:20 am
Tanya Brown
Hmmm. I’m not going to claim that these are great ideas, but …
1. Cut out the central portion which the strap would thread through and make them into teensy picture frames for the refrigerator.
2. Decorate them and turn them into hair ornaments.
3. Make pillowcase-style bags from fabric, and use a large buckle to keep them closed.
4. Use them to hold or organize strands of embroidery floss.
5. Use them as ornaments on curtain tie backs.
They’re cool, that’s for sure!
May 13, 2007 at 3:25 am
amandajean
lovely buckles! your photo is great.
I was going to suggest making patchwork belts. (I made one last week and I think it could be very addictive.) but since you ruled that out, I don’t have any other ideas.
May 13, 2007 at 3:41 am
kirsten
wow - they are awesome.
and tanya has some good ideas. i was thinking brooches - what about tying small torn strips of fabric and/or ribbon around the center piece - to make it raggy and fluffy?
show us - whatever you do!
May 13, 2007 at 3:51 am
Caitlin O'Connor
I have no idea what to do with these except I think they’re WAY COOL.
May 13, 2007 at 4:50 am
soozadoo
As a scrapper I could see them as the buckle clasps of cool little journals.
May 13, 2007 at 7:58 am
Jane Weston
They look so fab together I thought they would make good fridge magnets…that is if you can some how attach a magnet to the back.
And thanks for the giggle about forming “our club” with no Paris Hilton…you sure make me laugh!
May 13, 2007 at 8:11 am
flo
hey, WELCOME TO TOWNSVILLE!!!
May 13, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Helen
I’m joining - quick, where do I sign up? You can be Madam President and I can be chief moaner!
You could use the buckles for stamping ink/dye/paint onto fabric and then use the fabric and the buckles in a - dare I suggest it - quilt?
May 13, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Helen
I’m joining - quick, where do I sign up?
You could use the buckles for stamping ink/dye/paint onto fabric and then use the fabric and the buckles in a - dare I suggest it - quilt?
May 13, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Tanya Brown
Here’s another random idea: use the buckles and other clothing items to make a “flower garden”, maybe even an “alien flower garden”. Zippers for stems (unzipped to form two stems, with one gently curving away from the other?), buckles for “flowers”, buttons and snaps and whatever else you have handy for bugs and other stuff.
May 13, 2007 at 3:17 pm
chronicler
Oooo! I love tanya’s idea. You could add some ric-rac roses to the lots. It would be beautiful. The idea of using them as a clasp on a leather journal would be great too. The leather from the back could “wrap” through the front and buckle for the closure.
Heh, heh, Madame president, I present you with your gavel. Meeting will be round robin so none of us have to have our house cleaned more than once in a while for guests
May 13, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Ellen
Gorgeous buckles, what a wonderful find! Have you considered a piece made of fabric strips of widths that would slip through the buckles? The strips could be “woven” and then sewn to a (fairly heavyweight) background, with a buckle (or a couple) slipped on each strip. Depending on the fabrics used and the layout, additional fabric pieces could be added to compliment the buckles, as could stitching (quilting or embroidery). My suggestion would be to stick with solid colors and rather spare embellishments that mirror the lines/designs of the buckles in order not to overwhelm, but that is probably just a reflection of my sensibilities and not necessarily the only, or best, approach. Best of luck with whatever you do decide to do with them.
May 13, 2007 at 3:32 pm
erin
oh, i don’t have any great ideas for you, but i am so green with envy over those buckles. they are fabulous and i know that you will make something even more fabulous with them!
ps - where do i fill out my application for the club? hee hee.
May 13, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Shirley Goodwin
I would just sew them all over a quilt - maybe one with vintage fabrics?
May 14, 2007 at 3:47 am
dorie
The red one is especially awesome. My creative brain went to bed an hour ago, so no suggestions but the obvious, but really cool find!
May 14, 2007 at 2:56 pm
laeroport
Wow! Those are wonderful.
May 14, 2007 at 8:10 pm
sophie
I would put them on a quilt and in the meantime I hope that you have them displayed so that they can be enjoyed as you pass. I could go along with Ellen’s suggestion.
May 15, 2007 at 5:09 am
Maddy
Like no Paris or Britney …. can I join?
I would use the buckles in my scrapbooking or even use them as the center for fabric flower!
What about in a fabric YoYo centre even.
May 15, 2007 at 8:57 am
Christiane
Quilt with belts……….sounds good.
vintage fabric 30s ………
a strippie .. and a border full of sweet treats…waist builders and hip gold. why not?
back in my memory I remember a 34(12) size, sure I couldn’t cope with my actual life in this anorectic condition. Three teens and a hubby and all this creative stuff, that’s what a larger waist line is good for.
Besides I love your recent post on messy homes, luxury we deserve and small talk… apply for membership in club!
May 15, 2007 at 10:45 am
Felicia
Pins! Run some flowery fabric and ribbon through those pretty things and fluff up. Add a pin to the back and it’ll be beautiful
May 16, 2007 at 7:54 am
Stomper Girl
They are very good buckles. They’d look nice as an adornment anywhere really. On a funky knitted hat or something. Way to score a good bargain, scrooge.
May 16, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Amy
These are great, they look like Bakelite..do you know if they are? Very cool
May 21, 2007 at 5:52 am
margie
i would like them in a frame.. just as you have them laid out now they are eye candy really happy day you have made mine i have the picture as my screen savers at the moment love it.. margie hope you don’t mind..
June 16, 2007 at 12:12 am
Eren
I just saw a use for these incredible buckles and had to come back to mention it…I think it was in Blueprint, but they used the buckles with wide ribbon as tiebacks for curtins. I will try to find the photo and scan it if you want. Love the buckles however you decide to use them.