Dyeing antler buttons

[Chas]

While I agree that the antler buttons look best natural, I'll suggest trying Fiebings Leather dye, applied carefully. I've used it to good effect on horn, bone and antler. It comes in a wide range of colors, although anything beyond black and brown will likely require finding a leather craft supply. Black and brown can usually be found in shoe stores. One final caveat, wear gloves. Once the dye gets on your skin, it pretty much has to wear off.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/ is the place.

Regards

Chas

[ShaunMaxwell]

I recently had to replace a missing horn button on an argyle jacket I purchased on eBay...

This was a perfect match: http://www.ejoyce.com/pmain?cmd=e_vi...e=000100090015

They have them in different sizes, and I think it would probably look good on a charcoal jacket.

You can click on the button labeled "Size chart" and print out the actual button sizes to help match the correct size.

They also have black in cross cut: http://www.ejoyce.com/pmain?cmd=e_vi...e=000100090015

[Howard Clark]

For many "traditional" things, the subject must be viewed through the lens of material scarcity. Time was abundant, materials were not. Natural materials were mostly used as is, so far as colour is concerned. I put elk antler buttons on my tweed jacket, and love the look. If/when I buy another black jacket the buttons will likely be fossil ivory of some sort, bone, or perhaps antler, I don't know yet. Maybe even silver, or damascus. I think etched wrought iron would be nice, but they could rust if not cared for, which could be a problem.

But then my perspective is sometimes different.

[Kiltman]

I would experiment with a couple pieces and soak or boil them. I have had good success dyeing bone in coffee and tea to get an antiqued look.. Horn and bone are very similar. As I suggested, try it out first on some scrap pieces to ensure you get the effect you are looking for.

That seems like a really good suggestion. I use to dye black & white prints with tea to get a sepia tone on RC paper.

[Tony]

Thanks all.
I'll try the buttons as is to start. If as I suspect they are too light I'll start with fabric/leather dye and work my way towards an acceptable (to me) colour.

Oh Howard - about the natural material/as is argument.... These are the same people who came up with tartan....

[tarpondboy]

Boil them in real strong Black Tea, when ya take them out don't wipe them off (unless they are too dark), put them in the oven to dry at a low temperature. Try with pratice piece first. This is how I dye bone beads

[Uncletom]

Hi, you might try Rit dye. You can buy it in a grocery store, wal mart also has it. I use it to dye powder horns. You heat the dye, then immerse it into it several times if necessary till you get the color you want. You can also give it an antique look. Hope this helps! Later,uncletom

[shawhighlander]

Awrite, yes natural. However, the maker of the of the buttons may have left them as they cut them, meaning the cross-section is pure compared to the weather worn outside appearance. In that case, brew some dark coffee and let'em soak overnight. The longer they are in, the darker they become.
ith: