10 Decorative Ideas Using Vintage Buttons
Updated April 2020. Today I’m going to share ten decorative ideas using vintage buttons, including a few of my own ideas along with several others that I found when scouring Pinterest and the web for the best ideas out there. Here they are.
* 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
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. Vintage 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. Vintage Framed Buttons
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.
4. Framed Abstract Button Design
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
Have no buttons? Find some here:
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 image comes from the French blog, Prunelle Grier.
8 Button Decorated Globe DIY
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 Card
This idea comes from eBay.co.uk, but since it had sold, no attribution was given. I could see it in a black shadow box frame, or maybe three cards in a row in a large frame. And you don’t have to go multi-colored, a monochromatic card would be just as lovely. Watch out for old bingo sets at thrift stores and garage sales.
10. Button Bowl Project
The blog, Bonkers About Buttons, highlighted this piece by an artist named, Inego Canedo. I’ve seen similar pieces on Pinterest with these instructions: glue buttons to a balloon, cover with Modge Podge, allow to dry, pop balloon. I really want to try this one.
Bonus Project: FREE Display Cards
Back in April 2019 I wrote a blog post about a simple way to display vintage buttons–check out the post to get all the details. Subscribe below to get access to these FREE button cards that I made for us 🙂
How have you used vintage buttons?
What are some of your clever ideas?
Learn More About Vintage Buttons
For Part II, click here:
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I’d love it if you’d pin for later–
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 🙂
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?