Button Mural As Modern Family Photo Display

Looking for a unique way to display your family photos? Try a button mural! Check out the mural artist Anders Nilsen created for a family in Chicago:

Creative director Tereasa Surratt commissioned Nilsen to create a mural for her family’s home after seeing his massive 10,000 button installation at Ogilvy & Mather. Surratt’s home has a very distinct, modern look— it has been featured in Dwell magazine— so she wanted an equally unconventional way to display family photos and mementos.

A selection of family photos and textures from family heirlooms were used to produce 984 custom buttons. Six generations are represented in the mural  in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Looking to start your own family button mural? Place your custom button order now at busybeaver.net and for easy installation tips check back to the blog next week!

Custom QR Code Buttons

You’ve probably seen these funky little graphics showing up in magazines, billboards, and even on custom buttons over the last couple of years. But what the heck are they?
Those are QR codes (quick response codes) and they’ve become one of the newest marketing trends in the United States. Like barcodes, QR codes are encoded with information. Scan the graphic with your smartphone and you’ll immediately be linked to a website or data like a virtual business card pops up. Being a relatively low cost marketing tool, many companies have recently been adding QR codes to their advertising.

Want to take advantage of this new marketing tactic but don’t know how? Contact orders@busybeaver.net and we’ll customize a QR code for you to use on 1-inch square, 1.5-inch square, or 2-inch square buttons.

For other innovative button products, shop now at busybeaver.net.

Button Up for Record Store Day: April 16

Founded in 2007, Record Store Day is “the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music.” Many artists choose that day to make special performances and release limited edition vinyl, CD, and promotional products— it’s like Christmas morning for vinyl lovers and super fans.

This year’s Record Store Day falls on April 16 and includes special releases from Radiohead,  SubPop Records, and a Frank Kozik limited edition vinyl figure. The Busy Beavers are psyched about the White Stripes reissue from Third Man Records— limited quantities will be available on red and black swirled vinyl!

Looking for a unique way to promote your band or record store this April 16? Try buttons! You can include a 1-inch button as a freebie on a limited edition vinyl record, put your band’s cover art on a square button, or promote your record store. Shop now at busybeaver.net.

Chicago Zine Fest Buttons Up

Do you like DIY, independent media, and nifty buttons like the 1.5 inch square button featured here? Then be sure to catch this year’s Chicago Zine Fest! The fest, which begins tomorrow, aims to highlight the talents of self-published artists and give independent artists a chance to interact and swap skills. So grab your stapler and head downtown March 25-26!

For times and locations go to chicagozinefest.org

Need buttons for your upcoming fest? Shop now at busybeaver.net.

FINAL DAY: 10% Off Glow in the Dark Buttons!

Don’t miss out! Today is the last day to receive 10% off any order of glow-in-the-dark buttons. Round, oval, square— this deal applies to all glow-in-the-dark sizes and shapes! Just enter the code “Glow2011″ at checkout when you order from Busy Beaver Button Co.

Limit one use per customer. Coupon code valid only from February 17, 2011 – March 17, 2011.

The Domino Project Buttons Up for SXSW

Seth Godin, the title of your new business manifesto is just downright naughty. Poke the Box? Oh my! You make a southern gal blush!
Poke the Box is the first title from Seth Grodin’s new publishing venture, The Domino Project. Powered by Amazon, The Domino Project will “simultaneously publish in Kindle, audiobook and hardcover format in every country where Amazon has a presence.” Grodin’s fresh approach to production and distribution might just be what saves the struggling industry book publishing industry— that, and of course, creative marketing with 1-inch square buttons.

Poke the Box is now available on Amazon.com. To get your own creative marketing campaign going, shop now at busybeaver.net

10% Off Glow in the Dark Buttons!

Who has two thumbs and loves glow-in-the-dark buttons? This beaver!

We’re celebrating our love of the glow by offering customers 10% off any order containing glow-in-the-dark buttons. Round, oval, square— this deal applies to all glow-in-the-dark sizes and shapes! Just enter the code “Glow2011″ at checkout when you order from Busy Beaver Button Co.

Limit one use per customer. Coupon code valid only from February 17, 2011 – March 17, 2011.

Say “Vote Early, Vote Often” With Custom Buttons

Historically, the choice for campaign buttons has always been the 2.25-inch button; I like Ike, and Ike liked a 2.25-incher. But with this year’s crop of Chicago political button orders we’ve seen a variety of different sizes. Oval buttons, square buttons, even cute 1-inch round buttons— they are all hitting the campaign trail in 2011.

With local Chicago elections next Tuesday, we expect to see campaign buttons galore on our morning commute. And maybe Rahm Emanuel.

Button Museum Sneak Peak

Next Friday, September 10 marks the opening of the Busy Beaver Button Co. Museum.  Would you like a sneak peek of the collection?

Click here for the Museum Opening invitation.

All American Soap Box Derby Buttons Up

Soap Box Derby Buttons are collected, exchanged, and made by Busy Beaver Button Co.

Each year, thousands of children compete in the All American Soap Box Derby. These children build their own cars and race down hills in local races in their hometowns and rally races across the country and around the world.