Musseling Tools and Techniques
Mussel fishing and button-making required very specialized tools at a time and place where manufacturing facilities were limited. Therefore, most mussel fishermen created their own tools, for example, fishing tools such as crowfoot hook winders and canvas mules that propelled their johnboats. Processing mussel shells also used special tools and methods, including cooking-out vats, and cutting and finishing machines, which were always being improved for speed and accuracy.

The button industry also created waste products that were adapted to make other products, from seeds for pearls to building materials.