COEUR d'ALENE - For 40 years, members of the Idaho State Button Society have been searching the globe for unique antiques to add to their collections.

"Buttons are art in miniature," society president Simone Kincaid said. "You can learn so much about culture, history, art and society from just a little button and they do not take up as much space as most collections. ?They are beautiful to look at and each one is unique and has a story to tell."

Kincaid began collecting when she was a college student and used antique buttons to repair vintage clothing she sold for extra cash. Her mom was an antiques dealer and also had a button collection, so Kincaid's knowledge and interest in button collecting just came naturally.

"I am also an archaeologist by training," she said. "Occasionally, I am called to identify an excavated button."

Her favorite piece is a gold-filled, engraved button that was made to commemorate the Eiffel Tower's construction in 1889.

"It is my most valuable button and very special to me since my father was from France. I am half French and Paris is one of my favorite places besides Coeur d'Alene," Kincaid said. "I also have a Revolutionary War button that I recently purchased from a collection that is also very special."

The Idaho State Button Society is celebrating its milestone this weekend during its annual meeting and show, which will be open to the public Friday and Saturday.

The event will include awards for various button categories and opportunities to view/purchase pieces and interact with other collecting enthusiasts. Special guest speaker, Janelle Giles of California, will speak about medieval buttons Friday evening during one of the presentations.

"We are very excited about this," Kincaid said. "She has travelled all over Europe to collect these buttons ... She brought her trays of medieval buttons to the show and we were absolutely mesmerized by them ... There are very few button collectors who collect this type of button and so this will be a very rare and special presentation."

Society members will meet Thursday with button tray judging Friday. The showroom is open to the public 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Ave. Admission is $3 for non-society members.

Info: 667-0072, sckincaid@gmail.com or email Linda Hudec at momofks@roadrunner.com.