12 Best Button Craft Ideas

Buttons are not just for clothes. You can use them to make amazing art and gifts. As of the latest crafting trends, using mixed media like buttons is very popular. You can find old buttons at thrift stores or buy big bags online. These small pieces of plastic and wood are perfect for rainy day projects. They come in bright colors and fun shapes. You can make things for your home or gifts for your friends. Let’s look at some easy ideas to get you started. You do not need a lot of skill to make these fun items.

Quick answer: Button craft ideas include making button tree art, monogram letters, and bookmarks. These projects use glue and basic supplies to turn extra buttons into colorful home decor and gifts.

Idea Name	Difficulty	Best Use
Button Tree Art	Easy	Wall Decor
Monogram Letter	Easy	Door Sign
Button Bookmark	Easy	Reading Gift
Custom Thumbtacks	Easy	Office Supplies
Picture Frame	Easy	Gift Wrap
Button Bouquet	Medium	Home Decor
Hair Clips	Medium	Kids Accessory
Wall Clock	Medium	Living Room
Stretch Bracelet	Easy	Jewelry
Refrigerator Magnets	Easy	Kitchen Decor
Sun Catcher	Medium	Window Art
Egg Decor	Medium	Holiday Craft

Idea Name	Main Material	Time To Finish
Button Tree Art	Canvas	1 hour
Monogram Letter	Wood letter	45 mins
Button Bookmark	Paperclips	15 mins
Custom Thumbtacks	Flat tacks	10 mins
Picture Frame	Wood frame	1 hour
Button Bouquet	Wire	2 hours
Hair Clips	Felt	30 mins
Wall Clock	Clock kit	1.5 hours
Stretch Bracelet	Elastic cord	20 mins
Refrigerator Magnets	Magnet backs	15 mins
Sun Catcher	Clear plastic	45 mins
Egg Decor	Plastic eggs	40 mins

1. Button Tree Art

Button tree art is a very popular project. You take a blank canvas. You draw or paint a tree trunk with brown paint. Then you use craft glue to stick buttons on as the leaves. You can use all one color like green. Or you can use fall colors like red, orange, and yellow. It looks like a tree losing its leaves.

This project is very easy. It is great for kids and adults. Crafts by Amanda says you should use different sizes of buttons. This makes the tree look full and real. Layer small buttons on top of big ones. Use a strong glue like tacky glue so the buttons stay on forever. Hang it on your wall for a nice piece of art.

Tip: Lay your buttons out on the canvas before you glue them. This lets you see how it looks and move things around.

2. Button Monogram Letter

A monogram is a big letter. You can buy a wooden letter from a craft store. You paint it a solid color. Let the paint dry. Then you glue buttons all over the letter. Use buttons that match your room. If your room is blue, use blue and white buttons.

This makes a great sign for a bedroom door. It is also a nice baby shower gift. The Spruce Crafts suggests painting the letter the same color as your buttons. If there are gaps between the buttons, the same color shows through. It looks very neat. You can hang it with a ribbon or a sawtooth hanger.

Tip: Use flat buttons. They stick to the wood better than curved buttons.

3. Button Bookmark

A button bookmark is a smart idea. You take a large paperclip. You glue a button to the top of it. The button acts as a decoration. The paperclip holds your page in the book. You can use any button you like. A big bright button is easy to find in a bag.

This is a very fast craft. You can make one in five minutes. It makes a great gift for a teacher or a reader. DIY Candy says to use a strong glue like E6000. Regular school glue will not hold the button to the metal clip. Let it dry overnight before you use it.

Tip: Use a jumbo paperclip. It holds thick books better and gives you more space to glue the button.

4. Custom Thumbtacks

Make your office board look fun. You can buy plain thumbtacks. You glue small buttons to the top of the tacks. It is that simple. You can make a whole set of them. Use bright colors to make your corkboard happy.

This is the easiest craft on the list. It takes only ten minutes. Crafts by Amanda notes that you should use flat metal thumbtacks. Plastic tacks break easily. Use a glue that works on metal and plastic. Put a little drop on the tack. Press the button on. Let them dry on a piece of wax paper.

Tip: Do not use buttons that are too big. If the button is wider than the tack, it is hard to push into the board.

5. Button Picture Frame

A button picture frame is a sweet gift. You buy a plain wooden frame. You glue buttons all around the edges. You can use all white buttons for a clean look. Or you can use colorful buttons for a fun look. Put a photo inside. The frame makes the photo look special.

This is an easy project. The Spruce Crafts says this is a great way to use up mismatched buttons. You do not need a set of matching buttons. The more random, the better. Cover the whole frame. Make sure the buttons do not hang over the edge where the glass goes.

Tip: Use small buttons for the edges and big buttons for the flat parts. This makes the frame sit flat on the table.

6. Button Bouquet

A button bouquet is a piece of art. You use wire to make flower stems. You thread buttons onto the wire to make the flower head. You stack three or four buttons. Put a small one on top and a big one on the bottom. Twist the wire at the back. Wrap the stem in green floral tape.

This project takes a little more time. You need to twist the wire tightly. DIY Candy says these bouquets make great centerpieces for weddings. They never wilt. You can use vintage buttons for a retro look. Make a whole bunch of them. Put them in a small vase.

Tip: Use 26 gauge wire. It is thin enough to go through small button holes but strong enough to hold the flower shape.

7. Button Hair Clips

Make pretty hair clips with buttons. You buy plain snap clips or barrettes. You glue a button to the flat part. You can make them match a specific outfit. Use a small piece of felt behind the button. This makes it look finished and holds the glue better.

This is a fun craft for kids to do. They can pick their favorite buttons. Crafts by Amanda says to use a low temp glue gun if kids are helping. Hot glue can burn little fingers. Let the clip dry flat. These make great party favors for a birthday.

Tip: Add a tiny ribbon bow under the button for an extra cute touch.

8. Button Wall Clock

A button wall clock is a fun room piece. You buy a clock kit. You make a circle of wood or heavy cardboard. You glue buttons around the edge. Use twelve big buttons. Put one at each number spot. Then you put the clock hands in the center.

This is a medium project. You need to make a hole in the center for the clock piece. The Spruce Crafts says you can buy clock kits at any craft store. They are cheap. Use bright buttons for a kid’s room. Use black and white buttons for a modern living room.

Tip: Make sure the buttons do not block the clock hands. Put the hands on first. Then glue the buttons far enough away.

9. Button Stretch Bracelet

A button bracelet is easy jewelry. You need elastic cord and buttons with two or four holes. You string the buttons on the elastic. You go through one hole from the front. Then you go through the next hole from the back. This makes the buttons lay flat on your wrist.

This is a very fast project. You can make one in twenty minutes. DIY Candy says to use stretchy elastic cord. Tie a tight knot at the end. Put a drop of glue on the knot so it does not come undone. Use colorful buttons for a fun stack of bracelets.

Tip: Measure your wrist first. Cut the elastic a little longer than your wrist size so you have room to tie the knot.

10. Refrigerator Magnets

Button magnets are simple. You buy small round magnets. You glue a button to the front of the magnet. You use them to hold papers on your fridge. You can make a whole set of them. Use different shapes and sizes of buttons.

This is a great beginner craft. Crafts by Amanda says to use neodymium magnets. They are very strong. They can hold a lot of papers. Do not use weak magnets. Your papers will fall off the fridge. Use a strong glue to attach the button.

Tip: Keep button magnets away from small kids. Magnets are dangerous if swallowed.

11. Button Sun Catcher

A button sun catcher is pretty in a window. You take a piece of clear plastic or an old CD. You glue clear or shiny buttons to it. The sun shines through the buttons. It makes colors on the floor. You can use sea glass beads too.

This is a medium project. You need to use a lot of glue. The Spruce Crafts says you can use a paper plate with the center cut out as a frame. Glue the buttons inside the ring. Hang it with a piece of fishing line. It looks like it is floating.

Tip: Use buttons that are slightly see-through. Solid buttons will not let the light shine through.

12. Button Egg Decor

Button egg decor is a fun spring craft. You buy plastic or wooden eggs. You glue small buttons all over the egg. Use pastel colors like pink, blue, and yellow. Put them in a basket. They look like fancy Easter eggs.

This is an easy project. It just takes a little time to glue all the buttons. DIY Candy says to start at the bottom of the egg. Work your way up to the top. Use a toothpick to put the glue on. This keeps your fingers clean. Let the egg dry on a bottle cap.

Tip: Do not use real eggs. The inside will rot. Use plastic or wood eggs that last forever.

FAQ

What glue is best for button crafts?

Use tacky glue for paper and wood. It dries clear and strong. For metal, plastic, or magnets, use E6000 or a hot glue gun.

Where can I get cheap buttons?

You can buy big bags of mixed buttons online. Thrift stores often sell jars of old buttons. You can also cut buttons off old clothes before you throw them away.

Are button crafts good for kids?

Yes. Kids love buttons. For kids under three, use large buttons and watch them closely. Small buttons are a choking hazard.

How do I clean dirty buttons?

Put the buttons in a bowl of warm soapy water. Swish them around. Lay them on a towel to dry. Do not use hot water on plastic buttons.

Conclusion

Button crafts are a great way to use up small supplies. You can make things for your home, your office, and your friends. Start with a simple project like custom thumbtacks or a bookmark. These take only a few minutes. If you want a bigger project, try a button tree on canvas or a button bouquet. These crafts add a pop of color to any room. They are also fun to do with kids on a rainy day. You do not need fancy tools. Just buttons, glue, and a little imagination. Dig through your junk drawer or buy a mixed bag of buttons. Pick an idea from this list and start creating today. You will love the colorful results.

References

1. Crafts by Amanda, “Button Crafts for Kids”
2. The Spruce Crafts, “DIY Button Projects”
3. DIY Candy, “Easy Button Craft Ideas”