Antique Blown Glass Buttons

These buttons were actually blown and were hollow. The early ones had clear glass loop shanks; the later (probably after 1900) had metal shanks on metal plates. Color and sometimes bits of tinsel were blown into some of the hollow buttons. Most common are those that imitate pearl color, but there were a few made in pastel colors as well as in deep red, gray, and black; some have been found with cotton or a waxlike substance inside. Blown glass buttons were usually ball-shaped, but a few have been found faceted or oval. They range in size 3/8 to 3/4.
The above information is from the book Collector's Encyclopedia of Buttons by Sally Luscomb.
The piece of delicate material looks to of been cut off a garment to save the buttons..notice the back, the buttons were strung in such a way as to remove them easily before cleaning the garment.
Below this are some of my blown glass..all have the glass shanks.
Click on image to enlarge

Crochet button bracelet..instructions

1.Sixty-six buttons in one color or in harmonizing colors.
2.Gold, silver, or white elastic thread; #7 steel crochet hook.
3.Three rows of buttons, 22 in each row, separated by one row of single crochet.
Chain 44 stitches, join with slip stitch in first stitch of chain.
Chain one single crochet in each chain stitch around; join.
Chain one, join button by inserting hook through shank of button, pull loop through and complete single crochet.
Skip one single crochet, join a button in next single crochet.
Continue around in this way until you have joined 22 buttons; join with a slip stitch in first chain.
Make three rows of buttons with a row of single crochet between them.
Finish off with a row of single crochet to balance the first row made.

The bracelet can also be made by making seven rows of single crochet, and then fastening the buttons on securely with sewing thread.