This was a quick project that allowed me to display some of my pretty buttons that had been previously stowed away. I started with a wooden wall plaque from Michael's that was on clearance. It only cost me a couple of dollars. I used blue craft paint for the front and brown craft paint for the back. For the lettering, I searched through old magazines for the letters I needed to form BUTTONS. It is important to decide on the right size of letters before cutting them out so that the word fits in the space. Mine are slightly under 1/2" tall and somewhat condensed. I used Modpodge glue to stick them on and then coated them and the entire plaque a few times with Modpodge, allowing time to dry in between coats. The next step was the fun part...searching for the buttons to use. I chose buttons with shanks because the shank would fit in the plaque's petal holes and make a more secure seating. I used coated wire to anchor the buttons on, pulling the wire through to the back and curling it on itself to make a plug of sorts. And finally, I replaced the straw string with a chain.

Back Mark A term for stamped words on the back of a button, i.e., words denoting quality, manufacturer's names or marks pweb.netcom.com/~jimyce/bm.html
Background A contrasting material like wood, pearl or metal, etc. that is used as a surface to better show off the design of the button
Bakelite Buttons made from Bakelite, an early synthetic plastic. www.google.com/search?q=Bakelite+buttons&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj8ye_nqarOAhVIQSYKHe5nAKAQsAQIQQ&biw=1440&bih=726
Bamboo Dry grass from the plant that is usually tan in color and displays porous ends. www.indiamart.com/proddetail/bamboo-buttons-2088947262.html
Bark The rough outside layer of wood or vegetable ivory nuts that was left on to add to the decoration of the button.
Bauxite Buttons made from this distinctive ore were imported from Moengo more than 50 years ago -- none were made in the US. They were crudely carved featuring pink to deep mahogany red. www.cafepress.com/+bauxite_aluminium_ore_mini_button,1120600594
Beads Bead decorations on buttons including beads sewn on fabric.
Berry Tip Pre-molded contrasting colored glass tip (resembles a raspberry) that was used on round or cone-shaped glass buttons. www.pinterest.com/pin/30258628726255531/
Birdcage A "Small China"  button with an added V-shaped back, which includes four holes
Black Glass Of the two categories of glass buttons -- (1) Clear and Colored Glass and (2) Black Glass -- Black Glass is the most often found. Can be completely black or partially black. www.buttoncountry.com/BlackGlass1.html
Bone Usually made from bones from cattle. Many are plain with 2, 3, 4 or 5 holes but others are carved, rimmed or have added shanks. www.buttoncountry.com/OtherMat1.html
Box Shank Buttons with this specific name are also called Square Shank or Four-Way Shank. Only found on molded buttons, i.e., glass, celluloid, plastics.
Brass More buttons have been made from brass than an other material. Can be one piece or two piece. Used on uniforms.
Brocade Buttons made with this fabric feature raised designs. Mostly of dark colors -- brown, dark blue and black.
Bullet Plain ball-like uniform buttons with a flat back and loop shank.
Bulls-eyes Small white, dome-shaped China buttons decorated with colored, concentric circles. Flat or slightly rounded back and metal plate shank and wire shank. www.buttoncountry.com/china.html