48 Excellent Button Craft Ideas
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-topped vase pictured above, you'll find the directions at All You.
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. Versatile Bowls
I love the pink bowl shown here and think it would look nice almost anywhere you choose to put it. It'd make a lovely jewelry or makeup brush holder on a vanity or a convenient pen holder in the office. JOANN has this bowl-making guide.
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. Button Box
This box would make a cute jewelry or trinket box. Imagine placing it on a lamp table or dresser to add a nice accent to your décor. Find the directions at all you.
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. Plant Sling
Get the beauty of a macrame plant sling without all the work. You can find the directions for this project at Martha Stewart.
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 Eggs
I think these projects are just lovely and adore the various buttons. Go to Bead & Cord for the steps.
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. Button Bracelet
Aren't these bracelets cute? I'm sure a girl you know would love making some like these. Martha Stewart shares the instructions.
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
I especially like this keychain because I imagine using buttons from clothing that a loved one wore or from a special vacation or occasion. Find the tutorial for making these whimsical key chains at LIVING with punks.
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
Questions & Answers
© 2012 Loraine Brummer
Do You Save Buttons For Reuse? - or leave a comment
I have been saving buttons all of my life now I would like to use some great ideas to put them to use.
Wow so many ideas. I am very excited to try them out.
I have not yet done any button craft but with all these ideas, am excited to try.
Yes, and I found a place that sells buttons by the kilogram - works out to less than a cent a button.
Wonderful - thank you for sharing.
So many creative ideas! Thank you!
Creative and lots of design input. Thanks!
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.
All look cute. I'll try to make vase-covered button.
I came here looking for buttoned towels for my kitchen, and found so many amazing button crafts. Lovely ideas. Blessed.
@lilymom24: So many cute and nice ideas.
This is a great list of crafts to do with buttons. Thanks for sharing these. =)
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.
I am adding this as a featured lens on my button craft lens and pinning it. Lots of great ideas.
I love the branch with buttons!
I love these ideas, thank you for a great craft lesson!
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.
Crafty ideas! I love the magnets and spring flowers the best.
I love all of your button crafts! That bottle cap and button wreath is darling!
I loved the plant sling, too. Great lens.
I really loved the snowflake and the idea for plant sling. A really crafty and useful lens!
I really loved the snowflake and the idea for plant sling. A really crafty and useful lens!
Very creative. Thanks for sharing.
I love the children's t-shirt decorated in buttons. I want to make one for me! Great craft lens. Blessed.
The button snowflake is my favorite. Will try it.
Very creative ideas here for button crafts, like the branches and also the plant hanger.
Very creative ideas here for button crafts, like the branches and also the plant hanger.
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