UPDATED 10|11|2002
This Page Under Construction by YOU
Making & Selling Space Theme Buttons BUTTONS - Button making equipment and supplies can be relatively inexpensive. Make buttons for pennies, sell for a dollar or more.
Earth Photo Buttons - some caption ideas
- Time to leave the cradle
- It's weaning time
- Womb world
- We live on an Island, Let's fish in the Sea!
- Mother Earth - Father Space
- Keeping People Earthbound, keeps Life Earthbound
- Not to Forget Father Sky
- Just the Beginning
- It's a Good Start
- Gaia can spread - only where we take her
- And now for the rest of the story
- Chapter One: Earth
Moon Photo Buttons - some caption ideas
- The Eighth Continent
- Solutions for Earth's Problems
- Not just for causing tides anymore
- A place for fresh beginnings
- Clean energy for a greener Earth
- Let's honeymoon on the Moon, Honey!
- Going to the Moon to see Earth
- Chapter Two: The Moon
- Future Lunans Unite!
Mars Photo Buttons - some caption ideas
- The Next Human Frontier
- We are the Martians
- Our Next Homeworld
- Red for now, green and blue later
- Frontiers are rough but fulfilling
Shuttle Photo Buttons - some caption ideas
- Happiness is Earth in my Rear View Mirror
- My Other Car
- To go where no man has gone before
- Engage!
- If I'm not back, carry on without me
- My Next Vacation
- When do I get to go?
- Gimme a one-way ticket!
- I'm outta here!
- I always wear my seat belt
- Shake, rattle, and roll!
- for fun, overprint a "buckle up" symbol or a "no smoking" symbol
Floating Free Photo Buttons - some caption ideas
- Can't beat the view!
- I need a lift
- Taking a break from the wife & kids
- Taking a break from my other half
- My leave of absence
- What I did last summer
- Tell my boss I quit!
- Telemarketers, find me now!
- Can you scratch my back?
Moonwalker Photo Buttons - some caption ideas
- What I did last summer
- Out for a stroll one day
- Okay, so I got lost!
- Let's pick up where we left off
- I've got a hangover
- That was some party last night!
- Ah! No mosquitos!
- Ah! No telemarketers!
- Smoke Free Zone
- Gimme a hug!
- for fun, overprint a "quiet zone" sign or "condos under construction" sign
Bootprint on the Moon Photo Buttons - some caption ideas
- I shall return
- A lasting first impression
- Remove boots before entering
- Leaving footprints, taking pictures
- Time to make more
- Time to return to stay
- Down payment on an Outpost
- When do I get to go?
Eagle on the Moon Photo Button - some caption ideas
- Time to return to stay
- Next time, we stay
- Telemarketers, find me now!
- I remember!
- Journey to the 8th Continent
- My turn!
- for fun, overprint a "pink flamingo" in the foreground
Moon Buggy Photo Buttons - some caption ideas
- Classic Cars are my hobby
- right where I left her
- I love roadsters
- Oh for the wide open road!
- The next Model T
- Did we run out of gas?
- she'd still find a tree
- out for an Earthlight drive
- for fun, overprint a "buckle up" symbol or a "stoplight"
Ideas for button photo themes and captions are inexhaustible - try some, if they sell, try more.
FOLLOW UP
- Keep a record of what sells and doesn't sell
- Keep an idea book handy to write down more captions, more photo theme ideas, artwork ideas, etc. as well as suggestions from customers
Button Making Equipment & Supplies
Sound Advice:
- invest as little as possible until this enterprise starts to take off! Start with a hand held manual machine [starter kit photo $30 retail]
- Borrow a machine for a test drive, if you can.
- Buy second hand, if you can
- Upgrade & diversify using reinvested profits only
- Consult those with experience - Minnesota Space Frontier Society (NSS | Mars Society) has been in the button making business for years. Contact Ben Huset
What you will need: Manual button maker for 2 1/4 inch buttons (the most popular size - buttons also come in 1", 1.5", 3", 4" and in other shapes)
Where to buy:
- Local Sources: Browse the classifieds and postings in hobby and Craft stores - someone may have a little used machine for sale cheap
- Mail Order Sources:
- Online Sources:
Displaying Your Button Merchandise - for when you have enough different buttons that arranging them in an orderly display becomes a priority
- Vertical turntable racks - You might find something at a store supply surplus outlet, or use slide in air conditioner filters attached to an old cassette or CD carousel or plastic lazy susan.
- Vertical Pegboard racks - an easy do-it-yourself project
- Table top Bins: try a store supply surplus outlet, storage departments in discount retail stores, or make one of your own design (lightweight , modular-expandable, securable plexiglass cover)
- Online Source of ready to use button carousels ($56) and pegboard racks ($33)
Upgrades:
- table top button makers
- electric button makers
Diversifying:
- Other sizes - round buttons buttons also come in 1", 1.5", 3", 4" sizes
- Other shapes - rectangular (good for chapter logo membership badges) and diamond shape
Complementary Merchandise - when it's time to branch out
- plain baseball caps (any color) sold with the button of one's choice
- Bumper | Luggage Stickers
- Decals
- Lapel pins | tie clasps
- Embroidered Mission Patches
- Iron on T-shirt transfers
