January 2009 Hot Button Winners
Congrats to our
January 2009 Hot Button of the Month Winner!
January's Hot Button of the Month Contest Winner is…Patti Magee from Houston, TX.. Patti's "Confused? We Are!" shows an unusual use for buttons - as a training tool!
"We used these buttons when we did training for a new computer software program," Patti said. "The users had limited computer skills, so we went into it with a smile and tried to lighten up the situation. Actually, the software was pretty involved, so we broke the training down into four sessions."
The buttons were handed out at the first training. "By the end of the fourth training, everyone's arrow was on the "got it!" said Patti.
Wondering how Patti did the moveable arrow? "After I made the button, I drilled a hole through all of the layers and inserted the arrow and a brad," she explained. "I bought the arrows and brads at the local craft store - they were very inexpensive. The entire button was probably about 40 cents."
Those attending the training sessions really enjoyed the buttons. "People asked for bigger ones!" Patti said.
As the Hot Button of the Month winner, Patti received a $100 Badge-A-Minit gift certificate.
The entries poured in this month for our Hot Button contest - the winter must have caused everyone to stay indoors and be creative! We narrowed down the pile - and awarded the title of Badge-A-Minit January 2009 Hot Button to seven original designs and/or concepts! Hope you enjoy viewing the winners! Winners receive a coupon for 10% off their next purchase at Badge-A-Minit.com.
If you're designing buttons, we want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes and enter our February contest. This month, we're especially interested in:
If you're designing buttons, we want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes and enter our February contest. This month, we're especially interested in:
- Valentine's Day designs
- unique uses for buttons
- inspiring or funny slogans or mottos.
Emmitt Bufkin from Port Royal, SC, submitted these companion buttons - one for the Designated Driver and one for the Designated Drunk. The message is clear - don't drink and drive!!
Emmitt says results have been great! He usually sells the buttons in pairs, but sometimes sells to a group for a party or night out - one "driver" and several "drunks". "We even had the local Alcohol & Drug Enforcement folks get a kick out of it," Emmitt said.
Emmitt says results have been great! He usually sells the buttons in pairs, but sometimes sells to a group for a party or night out - one "driver" and several "drunks". "We even had the local Alcohol & Drug Enforcement folks get a kick out of it," Emmitt said.
We got a chuckle out of Aaron McFann's "Hairy Potter" button! Aaron (from Ironton, OH) explains: "My entry is the Hairy Potter. Basically he has nothing to do with magic, wizards, castles or anything else people associate with just hearing his name. He is a gnome who happens to be very hairy and likes pottery quite a bit."
Aaron created the button last Fall when a certain film was delayed and fans got a bit upset. He hopes "a bit of humor eases the tension as we wait for the Summer release."
Aaron created the button last Fall when a certain film was delayed and fans got a bit upset. He hopes "a bit of humor eases the tension as we wait for the Summer release."
Earl Ridgell of Cherub Ministries in Baltimore, MD, submitted this button. "The Edge" is a youth group and the buttons are used as recognition prizes.
When Kathy Sunia's 10-year-old nephew decided to run for office at his new elementary school, she designed some buttons to help him attract votes. "This was Ethan's first year at a new school, so the button allowed him to introduce himself while also asking for the students' votes," Kathy (from Long Beach, CA) said. Ethan passed out the button personally to all grade level students. The election hadn't been held yet at the time of the entry, but Ethan made many new friends and everyone loved the buttons (and isn't that what it's all about anyway??)!
Kerisa Lord from Blue Hill, ME, submitted this button just for fun. And we loved it!
Tony Truitt of B.A.T. Production in Richmond, IN, submitted this idea. Tony works for a small, family-owned toy store that is always looking for new ways to promote inexpensive in-store events. Recently, the put together a Pine Car Derby to promote their car kits and increase store traffic. "By using my Badge-A-Minit button-making kit, I was able to quickly and easily make some great-looking buttons to give to all participants, along with ribbon-awards from 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners," Tony said. "The awards looked great, were easy to do, and cost very little - a true win-win situation for the store AND customers."
Parents, students and staff at Crestwood Elementary School in Tampa, FL, are working together to raise academic achievement. Teri Rougeou submitted this ACHIEVE button, which is part of the recognition and reward system for the program. "When children and their families complete academic requirements for the first quarter, they receive an ACHIEVE t-shirt. For the second quarter, they receive an ACHIEVE button, which they wear to remind themselves that by working together they can ACHIEVE," said Teri. Approximately 980 students attend the school - and the hope is that each one of them earns the ACHIEVE button!