I inherited some buttons. I placed the matching sets in the small (1x3 or 2x3)zip lock bags. Making sure there was a slit in the bag for air circulation. I sorted them by color. Now all I have to do is dump out the larger container. For that, I use the plastic tub containers that cherry tomatoes come in. They stack easily and hold many packets. I have a larger bags for the singles.

Besides prescription bottles, try urine bottles..you know..he ones at your doctor's office they use for urinalysis.

I use decorative jars and vases for mine. Some of the fun is in looking for mates

I use a shoe box with zip lock bags. One bag for gold, one for black, one for "utility" buttons, one for orphans and then one for buttons still on the card. I use button rarely, but when I do, this seems to work for me. I like the idea someone had of stringing like buttons together, because I will find a button I want to use and then spend time trying to figure out if there is one more...if they were strung, I would know instantly. I learn so much here, thank you everyone!!!

I store buttons like I store small items for my scrapbooking. I get clear fising tackle storage cases from Wal-Mart. They are clear, have a lid, and measure about 2.5 inches tall and 6-7 inches long. The compartments on the inside are able to be changed for smaller or larger items because the dividers are moveable. They stack easily on shelves, and my cats don't like to play with the boxes like they enjoy playing with bottles and jars. I've lost many bottles thanks to my cats.

My boxes look a lot like this: http://www.yourfishingtipconnection....097793757.html

I have so many buttons it's embarrasing. I have them in the gallon size green/blue mason jars, shoe boxes,old tins,and even an old bread box. I love them all!

I have a problem making myself tearaway the buttons from the cards. I have several antique cards from a collection of my dear relatives. It is fun to see they only paid .10c for the entire card. I think my button cards may be worth mega dollars when my great grandchildren are needing them.lol How would you store buttons on cards in small spaces?
Sew Gramie Sew

I put the matching buttons on large safty pins. Then I sort them by color into medium or small plastic storage drawers.

I keep my buttons in sandwich sized zip locks by color, or strung together as sets, in a huge metal tin. Then there are the carded ones I keep in a fabric covered box. Then there is the buckles and other clothing closures in another fabric covered box. I inherited my mom's buttons, also my older sister's and best friend's when they gave up sewing. So I combined them with mine and a button tin I found when I was a teenager, that is one huge collection! I had to have a system, however simple to find anything. LOL! Now, I can open whichever one I need in a jiffy. Oh... All the antique ones are in a very old sewing covered sewing basket, I forgot about those.

I buy the sets of drawers at Menard's used for screws and whatever for the workbench. These have from 9 to 60 drawers with dividers in them. Works great to put different color in each drawer. You can see the color through front of drawer.