Many collectors enjoy looking through their buttons and mounting them on trays for competition. At the NJSBS Spring Show, most of these competitions are “Judged,” meaning that the trays must meet certain rules. “Popular vote” categories are decided by just that, popular vote. All NJSBS members can cast a vote.

At the NJSBS Fall Show, all the competitions are “Popular Vote.” To enter a competition, you must be a current member of the state society. Dues are just $15 and you can join at the door.  Click here for the tray slips/entry forms.

FALL 2025 COMPETITIONS: ALL ARE POPULAR VOTE

1. Holidays, 12 Buttons, 1 for each month. August has no celebrated Holidays so use as Vacation Theme month.  Jersey Shore $15, $10, $5.

2. Fall Colors of the Season, 12 Buttons or more in a creative display. Central Jersey Buttoniers, $10, $6, $4.

3. 20 Different Pets. Bergen $10, $6, $4.

SPRING 2026 COMPETITIONS: Preliminary List-Subject to Change
All awards are Div IX.

1. Section 7.O. Clear and Colored Glass, 20 Any size. Class 7-1 thru 7-8 with minimum of 2 sub-classes representing each class. No duplicate subclasses. Label in numerical order.  Black glass buttons are not appropriate in this class. Label back marks, studio makers if known, extra point for NJ studio artists. Tracy Bacilek, $10, $6, $4.

2. Section 17-2 Birds, 20 Any. Be sure to cover all the subclasses, as well as other identifiable types of birds. Labeling helpful. Bergen, $10, $6, $4.

3. Sec. 23-11.0 Studio Buttons, 15 Any size. Label artist if known. Two points for each different NJ artist represented.  Look for as many artists as you can, in as many materials as you can. Virginia Furstenberger. $10, $6, $4.

4. 23-4.1 ,4.2 and 4.3 Borders, 20 Any size. Labeling what you want the judges to notice about your border is helpful but not required. The entire focus and judging in this award will be about the BORDER.  Jersey Shore, $10, $6, $4.

2026 SPRING COMPETITIONS: POPULAR VOTE MOUNT AS YOU PLEASE

1. Made in New Jersey, 15 any. Materials Used in New Jersey Button Factories. Label and try to include a button from each of these sections: celluloid, Bakelite, ceramics, china, clear and colored glass, metals, shell, synthetic polymers, vegetable ivory, bone, rubber, and uniform. Central Jersey Buttoniers. $10, $6, $4.

2026 FALL COMPETITIONS: POPULAR VOTE MOUNT AS YOU PLEASE

1. Objects You Find in a Treasure Chest, Any size. Bergen  $15, $10, $5.

2. Garden Tea Party, Minimum 15 buttons. Jersey Shore  $10, $6, $4

3. Happy Birthday USA 250 Years Young, minimum 10 buttons. Annie Frazier, $25, $15, $10

4. Shapes! Minimum of 18, any size, at least 3 different linear shapes, no balance required. BE CREATIVE! Mercer County Buttoniers, $10, $6, $4

5. Fashions in Lafayette’s Time. Use craft OR collectible buttons to illustrate a fashion or an accessory that was worn furing Lafayette’s day. Optional: use a picture. Barbara Fox, $10, $6, $4