10 Vintage Button Crafts to Make & Sell

If  you’re an antique button lover then you’ll enjoy reading today’s article filled with ten decorative vintage button crafts, including five of my own. I found the five others when I scoured Pinterest and the internet for some of the best ideas out there. Here they are. 10 Decorative ideas using Vintage Buttons adirondackgirlatheart.com * This post contains affiliate links for products necessary to complete this project. This is both for your convenience as well as to support this blog, as I receive a small compensation whenever you click on such a link and make any sort of purchase, for which I thank you.

1. Vintage Button Art on Velvet

framed vintage button heart on chalkboardI’ve seen all kinds of “pictures” created with buttons, but somehow, I like the simple heart on red velvet the best. And it makes a delightful Valentine (or anytime!) decoration.

2. Vintage Buttons in a Jar

Vintage buttons in tall jarThis tall apothecary jar filled with all white buttons makes a lovely presentation and could be used in a variety of settings and home decor styles. How about filling it with solid pink, or how about black? Each color carries with it it’s own decorating “message.” I love the white, but could definitely be talked into pink. Jars of buttons sell well for me at the annual Christmas craft show I do every year. I price them at $10-20/jar, depending up on the the size.

3. Vintage Framed Buttons

Framed vintage buttonsFraming a card of buttons or just a single button or a pair, is a snap: mount the buttons on vintage or scrap book paper and frame. I found this old oak frame at an estate sale and loved the way it looked with the mother of pearl buttons, which I mounted with photo corners. These framed buttons are another great seller for me, both at the craft show I just mentioned, as well as in my antique booth.

4. Framed Abstract Button Design

swirling button designI think this piece of wall art is stunning, don’t you? Simple and graphic, it makes a real statement.

If you sewed the buttons onto a piece of fabric, your buttons would be unharmed. 

I’ve been informed by a Pinterest friend that a Mrs. Werther created this work of art, which hangs in the Button Museum of Dover, Ohio.

5. Button Initial Craft Project

Button monogram of the letter ASource

This button monogram with its rainbow colors makes me smile. I’ve seen it in monochromatic tones as well, and that can make a big impact, too.
 
Using vintage buttons would ramp up the interest factor. One or two statement buttons carefully placed could say “WOW.” I’m thinking maybe all gold. Or how about all old military buttons for a military family? Or all green for an Irish one? Endless possibilities.

6. Vintage Button Tree Craft Project

Source

There is something about white buttons, isn’t there? I just love this look and think it works anytime of the year, not just Christmas. It seems fairly simple, too. The buttons are held onto cone-shaped foam with pearl-headed pins and then glued onto a pot base. Love it. And your vintage buttons go unharmed.

7. Button Decoration on Pillow Covers

vintage buttons on a pillow

Sewing buttons to a pillow cover may not be a new idea, but it is a good one to remember, and I love these simple buttons on the taupe linen. (I’m starting to see that I definitely gravitate toward the use of white buttons!) This project comes from the French blog, Prunelle Grier.

8. Button Decorated Globe DIY

Button covered globeSource

I think this button-covered globe falls in the stunning piece of artwork category, don’t you? The use of [mostly] white and black buttons was a perfect choice to compliment the all black, antique style base. I’m very tempted to try this project for myself.

9. Vintage Button Decorated Bingo Cards

Christmas Bingo card and button decorations Fill an antique bingo card with white buttons and add a cute mini wreath to create these farmhouse style Christmas decorations. Leave the wreath off and you have an “anytime” decoration. Christmas Bingo Card and button decoration Pick a favorite color and use it to decorate your cards. How about orange for fall or yellow for Easter?

10. Display Buttons on Printable Cards

Vintage Reproduction Button Cards Back in April 2019 I wrote a blog post about a simple way to display vintage buttons using printable vintage button cards (like those above).  Check out the post to get all the details. Get access to these FREE button cards that I made for us when you SUBSCRIBE.

How have you used vintage buttons? What are some of your clever ideas?

Learn More About Vintage Buttons

For Part I, click here: a cool collectible part I vintage buttons adirondackgirlatheart.com For Part II, click here: A Cool Collectible (Part II) Vintage Buttons adirondackgirlatheart.com
 

Thanks so much for stopping by–

If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you’ll subscribe and never miss a post.  You’ll receive access to my MEMBER LIBRARY and get loads of FREEBIES! Sign up and get your FREE vintage & vintage-style cards to display your buttons on:

Subscription form with printable Vintage button cards  

Bye for now,

Diana

I’d love it if you’d pin for later–

Vintage white button heart on red velvet with black frame
10 Decorating Ideas Using Vintage Buttons

 

 

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28 Comments

  1. I love buttons and just found a huge tin of them at my Mom's that she said I could have!! 🙂 I have a buttons pinterest board and added several of these ides to it.
    hugs,
    Linda

    1. Hi Linda! I know, there's something irresistible about them. I'm going to check out your board 🙂

  2. These are awesome Diana but I especially love the vintage button bowl – stunning!
    Marie @ The Interior Frugalista

  3. Thank you Diana. I am inspired to try my twist on some of these ideas. I can never pass a good deal on buttons. I love them and have them in jars all over my sewing room/studio. I especially like the ideas that don't harm the buttons and they can be reused later if you wanted to.

  4. Wow Diana what wonderful ideas. I have got to try the one making a bowl using a balloon. I've seen it before. So many things you can do. Thanks for the post.

  5. such wonderful and creative ideas. I love the bowl!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful blog at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop ♥

  6. You've put together a really fabulous collection of ideas for decorating with buttons. I love so many of them! Just the buttons in the decorative jar is so simple yet so pretty! Thank you for linking this at History & Home this week – Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com

  7. Beautiful ideas Diana! Very inspirational! I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

  8. I love the idea of sewing vintage buttons onto the taupe linen pillow cover for display. When I investigate the link you sited, I cannot find the image. Would you have any suggestions on how or where to complete this project? Thanks for your help.

    1. I’m so sorry about that Christina. Sometimes pages are deleted (even entire websites). You could buy a plain fabric pillow cover from a craft shop or even Walmart or IKEA and then line up your buttons accordingly in whatever shape you like. I hope that helps!

  9. Oh I love your Pinterest ideas . Thank you for all the freebies! I also make journals so I know I will be able to incorporate some of your ideas into them . I feel like I have found by button home !

    1. Yay! I’m so glad to hear that you’ll be using some of my freebies and that you feel at home, Carolyn!

  10. Buttons are one of my favorite things. Several years ago, I made a garland of white pearl buttons and used it on my mother’s Christmas tree. She was a seamstress. After her death, the garland is a precious memory as it adorns my Christmas tree.

    1. Oh my goodness that sounds lovely Barbara. And as you say, what a precious memory; I’m so glad you have it 🙂

  11. my sister and I recently made Christmas ornaments from some of the buttons in our mother’s and grandmother’s button boxes. one for each child, grandchild, great grandchild and great great grandchild. we made wreaths, trees, snowmen and snowflakes (and one model of the solar system).

    1. OMGoodness! Such special ornaments Kate. You’ve made precious heirlooms for your family members–I’m sure they LOVED them 🙂

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