Custom Buttons Help Raise Money for Japan

With the Japanese earthquake and Pacific tsunami having occurred almost a month ago, national news has turned its coverage away from the devastated country to more pressing topics like Libya, the 2012 election, and, of course, the Bronx Zoo cobra.

But the recovery efforts in Japan are ongoing and the country could still benefit from foreign aid. The Red Cross is still taking donations and a few Busy Beaver customers are using custom buttons to help raise money. Check out this recent order from JapanMoms.org:

Bryan Flynn of Botto Arts created these stylish 1-inch buttons:

Flynn says, “When I think of U.S.-Japan relations I think of the D.C. cherry blossoms, so I created a stylized blossom atop the red sun that sits centered in Japan’s national flag.” All profits from the sale of Flynn’s buttons goes to the International Medical Corps.

Are you using buttons in an inspiring way? Email denise@busybeaver.net with your button story.

World’s Only Geothermal-Powered Button Maker

Optimal Energy drills through bedrock at Busy Beaver

Did you know that Busy Beaver installed geothermal heating and cooling in the new Logan Square button building?  When rehabbing the two flat, vintage storefront we decided it was a good idea to save money and energy at the same time.

Click here for a video of a semi-truck equipped with a diamond-tipped drill digging 400 feet into the Busy Beaver backyard bedrock.

How does this system work?  Wikipedia describes geothermal energy as, “heat retained within the Earth’s core since the original formation of the planet, from radioactive decay of minerals, and from solar energy absorbed at the surface.”

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Joel Carter Collection Buttons Up

Joel Carter "The Collector of Collections"

Renaissance man Joel C. is the Busy Beaver Production Manager and an avid button collector.  His enormous Chicago loft hosts collections of vintage musical equipment, mid-century furniture, beer cans, Y2K memorabilia, and of course, buttons.  Here’s what Joel  has to say about his amazing display of badge/button/pin-love:

Busy Beaver:  When did you start collecting buttons?

Joel:  I probably had a small collection as a young kid, but I started collecting more seriously about 7 years ago.

B:  How many buttons are in your collection?

J:  I probably have over 1,000 buttons.

B:  Where do you store and display your buttons?

J:  The main button display is in my kitchen.  The whole wall is tiled with cork and almost completely covered.  I probably have 700  on that wall alone (see photos).

B:  What is your favorite button?

J:  It’s hard pick a single favorite, but some I really like are a Mitch Hedberg button we made years back.  I also collect Soap Box Derby buttons we’ve made over the years.  Some older ones I have are some humorous Jimmy Carter peanut farmer buttons, Howard Stern ’94 run for NY governor buttons,  I also had a random “naughty” button collection that were unceremonious removed when my wife moved into my apartment with me.  I like many kinds of buttons. If it’s a cool design, funny or weird, count me in!

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Joel Carter “The Collector of Collections”

Busy Beaver Opens to the Public!

Busy Beaver Button Co. Grand Opening

Thank you button makers, clients, and community members for making the Busy Beaver Grand Opening a success.  Over 500 people visited the Armitage location to eat cupcakes, sip champagne, and hang out in the backyard. 

Click here for the Grand Opening Flickr

Click here for the Grand Opening on YouTube

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