Loraine loves arts and crafts and used to volunteer at an elementary art class. She loves sharing fun and easy craft tutorials.

What to Do With Extra Buttons

If you're like me, you don't throw anything away without first removing the buttons. The trouble with this is that you end up with lots of buttons and nothing to put them on. That's going to change, as I've rounded up a number of lovely projects that will deplete your excess button inventory! Some of the projects are easy for kids, but there are a few difficult crafts you may want to make yourself.

If you want to try making the beautiful button clock pictured above, you'll find the directions at Occasionally Crafty.

1. Buttons Headband

What a cute and colorful headband! You'll find this a very easy project to make for all the girls you know. Imagine the different button color and style combinations you can try! SUGAR BEE crafts shares how to create this delightful piece.

2. Button Star Ornament

I'm really impressed with this craft project. I like how the buttons and seed beads were used to fill in the star shape. Get the instructions for this ornament at Fireflies + Mud Pies.

3. Star Wreath

Here's a fun star wreath to make to celebrate birthdays or holidays. I think it's an easy project that is inexpensive to put together and beautiful to display. Find the instructions for making this wreath at Little Birdie Secrets.

4. Refrigerator Magnets

These magnets are perfect for holding schoolwork, artwork, and reminders! The kids will be so proud that you want to display their work. Go to Homemade Gifts Made Easy for the directions.

5. Button Bouquet for Mom

Add these cute-as-a-button flowers to a green foliage plant and enjoy seeing the amazed look on your mom's face when she receives them.

6. Button Bugs

Imagine how much fun the kids will have making a button-bug infestation for all of the house plants and garden flowers. The instructions are found at Parents.

7. CD and Buttons Turtle Art

This looks like a fun art project for the kids. Get the directions and turtle template by going to Fireflies and Mud Pies.

8. Wire-Wrapped Pendants

You'll find a great picture tutorial to making these pendants at Craftsy.

9. Monogrammed Letter

A monogrammed letter would make a nice addition to any child's room. Just remove the glass from the picture frame to make room for the button letter.

10. Button Bouquet

There's something about the simplicity of this little bouquet that I find beautiful. To find the instructions for making this project, go to KIDDLEY.

11. Decorative Paper Clips

The buttons definitely take the blah out of paper clips! These could even be used as bookmarks. Go to Bella Dia to see how to put them together.

12. Button Statement Necklace

13. Button Wall Decor

14. Animal Pendant Necklace

Little button animals are so easy to make and so very cute! These pendant necklaces are a great project for kids to make and give as gifts or to wear themselves. The instructions are found at kiwi crate.

15. Napkin Holders

Enhance your dinner table display with these homemade napkin holders. What could be more satisfying than to know you made them yourself? Easy directions can be found at Think Crafts.

16. Cinnamon Stick Ornaments

These gorgeous cinnamon stick ornaments really are beautiful. They can also be used as a brooch, a hair ornament, or a necklace!

17. Button Garland

I would never have thought to make a button garland and also never realized they could be so attractive.

18. Stacked-Button Ornaments

Imagine a Christmas tree loaded with these pretty and colorful ornaments. They are so easy to make that you can have the whole family pitch in for this project. Go to Speech Room Style to find the instructions.

19. Little Peg Bunnies

Okay, I admit this project doesn't use many buttons, but the little peg bunnies are soooo cute and only take about 10 minutes to make. I just couldn't resist including them! Find the tutorial and bunny pattern at LITTLE BIT FUNKY.

20. Button Owl Art

You'll find the owl template and the tutorial for this project at A Spectacled Owl.

21. Button Pendant

Make a custom button pendant to coordinate with all your different casual outfits. Use gold, silver, black, or white for more formal outfits.

22. Butterfly Pillow

Find the directions for this butterfly button pillow at Spot of Tea Designs.

23. Upcycled Wreath

Notice that the buttons are inside the bottle caps. I think this is an outstanding wreath that doesn't look too difficult to make. For the directions, go to SHAKEN TOGETHER.

24. Button Headband

Make an elegant headband over at the BUTTON RETREAT. So many different styles and button colors exist, which means your headband will be one-of-a-kind.

25. Tree Art

A button tree is a work of art that would make a nice school project or a scout craft activity. Go to Ideas2Live4 for the directions.

26. Color Your Own Buttons

I didn't know that it was possible to dye buttons to get the desired colors! Check this tutorial out, and you'll be amazed at how easy it is to do.

27. Cat Pillows

I absolutely love these black cat pillows. They wouldn't take long to make, but they are really cute. For the directions, go to 365 days of Halloween.

28. Mosaic Buttons Bowl

If you have lots of buttons, this is a cute craft to use them up. Make a mosaic bowl by going to favecrafts.

29. Stretch Button Bracelet

30. Snowflake

Kids would love making these, and even the youngest of them could have fun. You could perhaps even use gold or silver glitter glue to attach the buttons. For the directions, go to CRAFTS FOR ALL SEASON.

31. Fun Wreath

Imagine this wreath created with buttons that are all gold, gold and black, gold, or black and white with black and gold ribbons. Use colors to enhance your décor using directions from Running with Sisters.

32. Checkers

Check out this tutorial by Little Miss momma, which has the instructions to make a checkerboard. This one is made using wood, so you'll want to reference her tutorial to make it correctly.

33. Fruit Napkins

These napkins are so simple and beautiful. Go to this mama loves for the steps.

34. Perpetual Calendar

Not only is this perpetual calendar a beautiful piece of décor, it is also a useful piece. You'll find the tutorial at Makezine.

35. Felt and Button Ball

Favecrafts shares how to make this felt and button ball. Cutting the shapes is easy to do, and adding the buttons makes a nicely finished ball you can use to decorate a child's room.

36. Cute-As-A-Button Hairband

Any girl would enjoy making and wearing this cute button hairband. Find the instructions at B.Cheniful.

37. T-shirt Button Bracelets

You can use up your old t-shirts and make cute bracelets for you and your friends. Follow the tutorial at BUTTONS GALORE & More and upcycle old shirts!

38. Tiny-Eyed Owl Ornaments

These tiny-eyed owl ornaments can be easily whipped up to decorate the Christmas tree or give out as party favors. Learn how to make them at button it up.

39. Beaded Flower Vases

Pretty Handy Girl made these beaded flower vases using beads and buttons. It's such an easy and attractive decoration to make for a special occasion.

40. Bib Necklace

I find this bib necklace to be an eye-catching piece. With so many choices of buttons, it's possible to make a necklace for any outfit. Go to The Scrap Shoppe blog for the easy tutorial.

41. Fish

Younger children could use white glue to adhere the buttons onto the felt for this project. If you want to display it on a mantel or on the wall, you will probably want a more permanent method. Go to KROKOTAK for the tutorial.

42. Snowman Ornaments

Make cute button snowman ornaments over at funEZcrafts. Imagine all the different sizes and colors can make your snowmen! It's also a great craft idea for seniors.

43. Statement Rings

I love the looks of these statement rings. Find out how to make them by going to Miss Kris.

44. Chunky Vintage Bracelets

This knockoff version of the chunky vintage bracelet is shared by Crazy for Collars.

45. Key Chain

Cute as a button....and useful too. Find the tutorial for making this outstanding, and extremely easy to make, key chain at Craftiness is Not Optional.

46. No-Sew Burlap Owls

These burlap owls are easy enough for kids to make. Find the instructions at KIDS CRAFTROOM.

47. Folk Art Snowflake

These snowflake ornaments have a shabby chic appearance that some folks love. If you are one of them, use the instructions at Erik Homemade to make your own!

48. Letter Wall Art

© 2012 Loraine Brummer

Do You Save Buttons For Reuse? - or leave a comment

Maureen on March 16, 2019:

Wow love all the ideas.

maxine on December 23, 2018:

I have been saving buttons all of my life now I would like to use some great ideas to put them to use.

Allyson on March 20, 2018:

Wow so many ideas. I am very excited to try them out.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on November 16, 2015:

I have not yet done any button craft but with all these ideas, am excited to try.

Fiona from South Africa on January 19, 2014:

Yes, and I found a place that sells buttons by the kilogram - works out to less than a cent a button.

Ben Reed from Redcar on March 23, 2013:

Wonderful - thank you for sharing.

anonymous on February 04, 2013:

So many creative ideas! Thank you!

casquid on August 13, 2012:

Creative and lots of design input. Thanks!

Elsie Hagley from New Zealand on July 02, 2012:

Great lens, I like many of them and must have a go, as I having many buttons collected over the years. Thanks for sharing a great idea. Blessed.

anonymous on June 29, 2012:

All look cute. I'll try to make vase-covered button.

CherylsArt on May 05, 2012:

I came here looking for buttoned towels for my kitchen, and found so many amazing button crafts. Lovely ideas. Blessed.

anonymous on May 02, 2012:

@lilymom24: So many cute and nice ideas.

lilymom24 on May 02, 2012:

This is a great list of crafts to do with buttons. Thanks for sharing these. =)

KayeSI on April 09, 2012:

Oh how CUTE! I'm definitely going to have to find some buttons at a thrift store or antique store and give some of these ideas a try with my grandkids. Such fun, and from the looks of it, easy crafts for kids AND seniors. Thanks for a lovely lens.

Ann Hinds from So Cal on April 01, 2012:

I am adding this as a featured lens on my button craft lens and pinning it. Lots of great ideas.

anonymous on March 29, 2012:

I love the branch with buttons!

Rock Artist on March 23, 2012:

I love these ideas, thank you for a great craft lesson!

Laraine Sims from Lake Country, B.C. on March 07, 2012:

Our black cat died not too long ago and the black cushions that look like a cat really reminded me of him. I think it such a cute idea. I have tons of buttons so I'll be checking out these sites. Thank you. Angel blessings and recommending this lens for the Front Page Quest .. hope it wins.

N Beaulieu on March 07, 2012:

Crafty ideas! I love the magnets and spring flowers the best.

Peggy Hazelwood from Desert Southwest, U.S.A. on February 29, 2012:

I love all of your button crafts! That bottle cap and button wreath is darling!

TheArtLibrarian on February 18, 2012:

I loved the plant sling, too. Great lens.

Roberto Eldrum on February 17, 2012:

I really loved the snowflake and the idea for plant sling. A really crafty and useful lens!

Roberto Eldrum on February 17, 2012:

I really loved the snowflake and the idea for plant sling. A really crafty and useful lens!

andreablogger on February 12, 2012:

Very creative. Thanks for sharing.

Gayle Dowell from Kansas on February 12, 2012:

I love the children's t-shirt decorated in buttons. I want to make one for me! Great craft lens. Blessed.

MissionBoundCre on February 11, 2012:

The button snowflake is my favorite. Will try it.

Carolan Ross from St. Louis, MO on February 05, 2012:

Very creative ideas here for button crafts, like the branches and also the plant hanger.

Carolan Ross from St. Louis, MO on February 05, 2012:

Very creative ideas here for button crafts, like the branches and also the plant hanger.