An old melody goes Let's go where I'll keep on wearin' those frills and flowers and buttons and bows/And I'll stand out in buttons and bows. Buttons, those pretty little adornments on clothing, do make one stand out. Buttons can add personality to your attire. You can make a style statement with buttons alone. Some buttons can make you look classy and suave while others can make you look cool and funky.

Buttons have been around for thousands of years. They have been found even among the treasures in the Egyptian pyramids. It is said that antique buttons represent a cross-section of the human civilization through the centuries.

People through the ages have been fascinated by buttons. Collecting buttons has been one of the most popular hobbies of all times. Button aficionados around the world are in possession of such rare beauties as might befit the treasures of kings. There are numerous button clubs and societies that a button enthusiast can join.

Those tiny works of art come in all shapes, sizes and colors. The themes on which buttons are based are as wide as the human imagination. There are baby buttons and there are bridal buttons; there are buttons for suits and buttons for dresses. From flowers to smilies, from dolls to little hearts, there is no end to the shapes in which buttons come. Equally varied are the materials buttons are made of ceramic, clay, porcelain, gold, silver, ivory, antler, leather, satin, glass, wood, rhinestone, pearl, pewter, plastic the list could go on and on. Then there are the different kinds of buttons - from the plain old basic buttons to the toggle, clasps and shank buttons.

Buttons serve a variety of purposes, right from holding a coat secure, to card-making and appliqu-work. But most of all buttons add a touch of beauty and color to life. Buttons are one of those little joys that make life beautiful.