by Trudy Graber This article is written to provide a general outline to direct your

preparation of competitive moonglow button trays. The buttons illustrating this article—all smalls and 42 in total—would result in a competitive tray of 42 small buttons.

The first and most important step taken to prepare a competitive tray is the VERY CAREFUL reading of the award criteria. For instance, if an award is written for “Assorted Colors,” check to see if “White” is also included. This article is written assuming an award is written for clear and colored class, including white buttons.

Counting and measuring of buttons on your tray is another vital step during preparation. Once a card is completed, count and measure the buttons methodically once again.

Review the NBS classification blue book clear and colored glass section.

BACKTYPES — 4-way, rosette, sew-thru, etc. Try to include a sew-thru, and label any other back types.

CONSTRUCTION — Overlays and encrusted. Coralene or salt are good examples. Glass with glass.

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Tips for Moonglow Competitive Trays

Top Left: LIME GREEN. Spattered Overlay. 18 pastes OME. Top Right: VERMILLION. Impressed. Coralene. Molded Self Shank. Lower Left: WHITE. Pink Overlay. Shaved/Planed. Modified Trapazoid Linear Shape. Rare. Lower Right: TAN. Goldstone over-lay. “Tiffany Setting” (Note this imi-tation pronged jewelry setting) Border.

GREY. Sew Thru. 3-lobed Linear Shape.

WHITE. Glass With Glass: Black Glass Coronet. Scallop

Linear Shape.

DECORATIVE FINISHES — Acid etched (frosted). Lusters (dual, gold, iridescent, aurora, silver, crystal). Paint. Decal.

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2nd Row Left: PLUM. Frosted. Lozenge Linear shape. 2nd Row Right: FOREST GREEN. Crystal Luster. (NVBM-non-verbal backmark) 3rd Row L: CHARCOAL. Silver/Gold Lusters. Yin-Yang Symbol —may be used as a Pattern or Symbol (Sections 22-1 and 22-2). 3rd Row R: CARNATION PINK. Green Luster. Wallpaper Pattern (Section 22-1). 4th Row L: CORNFLOWER BLUE. Enamel. (Section 19). 4th Row R: LIGHT GRAY. Charcoal paint on edge. 5th Row L: PALE AQUA-MARINE. Pearlized Plastic Finish. 5th Row R: TANGERINE. Decal Flowers. 6th Row L: YELLOW. Copper Luster Band. Four Pastes. 4-Way Shank. 6th Row R: POWDER BLUE. Silver Luster Concentric Circles. Paste OME.

Top Left: WHITE. BLUE TRANSPAR-ENT STRIPES. Parrot. Top Right: ORANGE. Colored Stripes on Colored Body. Double Border.

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Top Row Left: CHARCOAL. Cameo. Shamrock. Gold luster. Faceted. Top Row Right: WHITE. Faceted. Pyramid contour shape. 2nd Row Left: BURNT SIENNA. Im-pressed. Gold Luster. 2nd Row Right: ORANGE. Intaglio. Symbol (Section 22-2). 3rd Row Left: LAVENDAR. Aurora Luster. Imitation Fabric With Imita-tion Beads. 3rd Row Right: YELLOW GREEN. Marbled. Openwork. Gold Luster. 4th Row Left: GREEN. Imitation Pin Shank. Scallop Linear Shape. 4th Row Right: ORCHID. Frosted. Stipple Surface. 5th Row Left: ROBIN’S EGG BLUE. Imitation Sew Thru. 5th Row Right: WHITE. Imitation Pierced. Paste. 6th Row Left: WHITE. Rope Border. Square Linear Shape. 6th Row Right: CARNATION PINK. Imitation Foil. Matte/Shiny.

MOLDED/CUT SURFACE DESIGNS — Cameo, faceted, imitation fabric, impressed, incised/outline, intaglio, lacy type, openwork pierced).

Top Row Left: CHARCOAL. 25 Pastes in Border. Top Right: POWDER BLUE. Multiple Colored and Multiple Sized Pastes. 2nd Row Left: POWDER BLUE. Owl or Gooney Bird. Two Pastes. Gold Luster. 2nd Row Right: DARK ORANGE. Metal Embedded. Black Paint 3rd Row Left: IVORY. Hat (Section 18). Realistic Linear Shape. Silver Luster. 3rd Row Right: LEMON YELLOW. Hexagon Linear Shape. 4th Row Left: WISTERIA. Rope Border. Cone Contour Shape. 4th Row Right: BROWN. Cameo. Bird and Bird House (Section 17). 5th Row Left: WATERMELON. Chain (Section 18). Linear Shape. 5th Row Right: TURQUOISE BLUE. Lizard (Section 17). Rare. 6th Row Left: LIGHT AQUAMARINE. Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf (Section 20). Gold Luster. 6th Row Right: GREEN. Pattern (Section 22-1). Two Hearts.

OTHER EMBELLISHMENTS — Metal. Paste (try to include clear, colored, and pastes shapes other than round).

SHAPES — Linear. Contours. Realistic.

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Additional ideas to consider and use if possible to present a well-rounded competitive tray:

• Represent all four pictorial sections, using at least one button for each section. Label the section.

• Represent a pattern and a symbol.

• Don’t overload the tray with contemporary moonglow buttons, but include some of these buttons for a balanced tray (unless not allowed as the award is written).

• Label unusual or rare buttons.

• Label back marks (both verbal and non-verbal).

• Label a molded-back button.

• Represent as many different colors as possible: first considering the button body, then (if applicable) any other colors.

In regards to labeling, my personal thoughts are that labeling simplifies the process for the judging team. Button aspects are less likely to be overlooked if labeled. Labeling can provide a learning process for the competitor, the judges, and those viewing competitive trays—whether they are collectors or the general public.

Now that your tray is assembled, you are ready for the final preparation step: count and measure your buttons. The allocation of many measles is a direct result of skipping this final repetitive step.

Good luck and enjoy your moonglows! Here is the finished tray using the buttons illustrating this article!

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EDITORS NOTE: As I review what Trudy has included in this tray, I come up with the following. What do YOU find? Send me an email to cjoy@gci.net and let me know!

⇒ 32 button body colors, plus 3 overlay colors (Goldstone, Yellow, White) ⇒ Decorative Finishes: Paint. Enamel. Pearlized. Frosted/Etched. Lusters: Gold,

Silver, Gold & Silver, Aurora, Crystal, Copper, Green. ⇒ OME: Metal. Black Glass. Pastes: Clear & four colors. Number of pastes 25, 18, 4, 2, & 1. ⇒ Shapes: Contour (pyramid & cone). Realistic. Linear (square, hexagon,

lozenge, scallop, tri-lobe, misc.) ⇒ 4 Pictorial Sections. Patterns (Wallpaper, Yin-Yang & Heart). Symbols—

numeric and ideographic (Yin-Yang & Number 7). ⇒ Borders: Tiffany Setting, Rope, Double, ⇒ Verbal and Non-Verbal Backmarks.

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