Saturday, September 4, 2010

DIY jar of vintage buttons

Obviously, I love buttons, and that might be an understatement. I have since I was a little girl. My grandmother was quite the seamstress in her day and always had a mass of buttons. Some vintage, some new, but always beautiful little baubles in my mind. I have several jars of vintage buttons that I sometimes like to spread out on the floor and just spend some time looking through them. I like to think about my grandmother sewing all of my mom's clothes when she was little and even her wedding dress. She was so good at recycling buttons from old worn out clothes and saving them. Some of my vintage buttons still have bits of fabric attached. How cool is that? So in this post, I'm going to show you a few DIY projects and some other button inspiration that anyone can do with buttons. They certainly don't have to be vintage, but if they are, take a second to spread them out just imagine the stories they could tell...
Put your favorite buttons on display in a lovely jar or something like this.

I found this gorgeous pink compote bowl for just $1 at a thrift store. The little pink birdie perched on top is a Michael's craft store find that I accessorized with some pink glitter. I'm still thinking of the perfect spot for my little friend in our new house.

Button Magnets:

Supplies:
Magnets on an adhesive strip
Buttons
Super glue
Step 1: Pick out a few of your favorite buttons
Step 2: Cut a square from the adhesive strip of magnet
Step 3: Place adhesive side on the back of the magnet
Step 4: If you wanted, you could stack your magnets for an extra touch
Step 5: Hang up your favorite cutie on your fridge and leave the rest of the magnets in a cluster
Also think what a cute, easy, CHEAP gift a set of these would be. Arrange them on a piece of cardstock with a beautiful ribbon. A tiny dab of hot glue will keep them secure to the cardstock but can be easily removed from the back of the magnet when they are ready for use.

Monogram Frame
* this is one I had already made so you get the idea*

Supplies:
Picture Frame
Piece of cardstock to fit inside frame
Monogram letter of your choice
Buttons
Glue dots

Step 1: Print out your monogram letter of choice being mindful of what size frame you are using. My frame is a 5x7 so my letter is about 4x6
Step 2: Carefully cut out your letter
Step 3: With a pencil, lightly trace the outline of your letter onto the cardstock
Step 4: Begin arranging your buttons to fill in the monogram letter and secure each button with a glue dot

Step 5: Once you have filled all of the voids with buttons gently erase what did not get covered up of your pencil marks and place your masterpiece in the frame. Enjoy!
Button Ring

Supplies:
Ring base (I've had these for several years, I purchased them from a jeweler wholesale company called Rings & Things and I had to order about 144 of them, but I'm sure a quick Google search will help you find something more reasonable)
Buttons
2-part epoxy or other super strong glue

Step 1: Find a combination of 2 or 3 buttons to stack on top of each other

Step 2: Mix your two part epoxy and glue the buttons together

Step 3: Glue your button combo to the ring base

Step 4: Let dry overnight
Step 5: Rock your awesome new button bauble!
Decorate a gift

Why not use your buttons to add a little fun to a gift? Pretty ribbon, buttons, and a few glue dots are all you need.
For more button inspiration visit:

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