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.
Note: This post contains affiliate links for [the same or similar] products used to complete this project. This is both for your convenience as well as to support my website, since I receive a small compensation whenever you click on a link and make any sort of purchase, for which I thank you. See my full disclosure here.
1. Button Art
I’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. Buttons in a Jar
This 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. Framed Button Cards
Framing 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.
Abstract Button Design on Fabric
I 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
Source
6. Vintage Button Tree Craft Project
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
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. Thread & Bottle Brush Tree Decorations
Decorate spools of thread with bottle brush trees and buttons to create these darling little Christmas decorations found HERE.
9. Vintage Button Decorated Bingo Cards
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.
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
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.
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I am overwhelmed by all the beautiful buttons. That lampshade was simply gorgeous! I think all the buttons I have are black and come from the extras in my clothes! 🙂 Beautiful visit. Now I am going back to check out those links more closely!
http://balmtomysoul.com/2014/05/top-10-posts-april-2014/
Thanks for visiting, Elizabeth! I'm going to come over and visit you now 🙂
Somuch fun
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
Hi Linda! I know, there's something irresistible about them. I'm going to check out your board 🙂
These are awesome Diana but I especially love the vintage button bowl – stunning!
Marie @ The Interior Frugalista
Thanks Marie! I'm going to come over and visit you 🙂
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.
Thanks for visiting Deanie; I'm glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
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.
I know, I really like that one, too. Thanks for dropping by!
Wow! What great ideas. Love the jar and the framed piece. Very, very cool!
Thanks Mary Ann 🙂
such wonderful and creative ideas. I love the bowl!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful blog at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop ♥
Thanks Katherine, you're so kind 🙂
Great ideas, all – thank you for sharing!
Thanks June 🙂
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
Thanks Dawn, glad you like them 🙂 I agree; I love the jar, too.
Beautiful ideas Diana! Very inspirational! I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
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.
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!
They were all beautiful. Where is the button American flag?
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 !
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that you’ll be using some of my freebies and that you feel at home, Carolyn!
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.
Oh my goodness that sounds lovely Barbara. And as you say, what a precious memory; I’m so glad you have it 🙂
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).
OMGoodness! Such special ornaments Kate. You’ve made precious heirlooms for your family members–I’m sure they LOVED them 🙂
As long as I see cross stitch and sewing there i’ll be attentive!