We recently heard from an excited Kovels reader who told us about her clever “new use” of recycled buttons. Simone Brenner explained that she caught “Bakelite fever” in the 1980s and started collecting bangle bracelets. When her collection grew to include Bakelite pins, earrings and necklaces, she decided she wanted to carry purses and evening bags that were just as colorful.

So Simone started hunting for Bakelite buttons and simple fabric bags in all sizes and shapes. She sewed the buttons all over the bags and, voila, she had some eye-catching collage carryalls.

Eventually, Simone covered her purses with buttons made of not only Bakelite and other plastics, but also celluloid, wood, metal, glass, enamel, rhinestones and stone. The bags come in all sizes and shapes and sell for $500 and up.