I like this idea. I have been purchasing old sewing machines and often there is lots of odds and ends buttons in the drawers or sewing stuff folks throw in to get rid of it.
I have a great lamp that will go in my sewing rooom that my Mom made for the guest room. It is a clear body that she filled with her button collection. At one time she made covered buttons and belts for the local fabric store. some fun memories looking at those buttons so can understand the joy of sifting through a large tin of buttons.