I use them to anchor the flowers in my crackled vase...
...and I keep a big supply of extras in this detailed ceramic bowl...
When it's placed on my glass cake saver, it almost looks like a frosted cake (if you really squint!)...
Here's a sweet button heart that I bought at a craft fair many years ago...
And I love to collect unique little vases and fill them with buttons. This one has a 'nesting' bird on top....
I put these two button filled vases behind a little bird's nest that sits atop a candle holder (needless to say, this candle doesn't get lit!)
And then there are the vases that sit on the fireplace mantel....
Yes, I think buttons and cottages go hand-in-hand!!!
The rest of my family, however, would like to see this cute "button filled vase" decorating idea go the way of the dinosaur... After a few occasions where someone was squeezing by a table, or rushing through an area or whatnot, a vase has gotten knocked over and buttons have gone flying everywhere! As a result, I have moved all the button vases to areas where there is no foot traffic, for the sanity of my family!
Update: I've found eBay to be a great place to purchase buttons (I bought mine by the "pounds" years ago). I just did an eBay search of "buttons pounds" and came up with 72 auctions, but you could refine the search to certain colors or whatnot. Happy hunting!!
Donna