Easy Craft and Decorating Ideas to Make with Buttons

If you're the type that hates to throw things away, you've probably got a jar or box of buttons somewhere just waiting for a purpose. Grab the button box and try some of these easy craft ideas.

Button Up Tab-Top Curtains

If you have curtains with a tab-top, you're seconds away from the look of custom made drapes. Hot glue or stitch a flat button to each of the tabs in a color that contrasts with the curtain and coordinates with the décor of the room.

Frame a Picture With Buttons

Pick buttons of various sizes and colors, or stick with a particular color scheme and simply glue the buttons to the edges of an old picture frame, or a new one from the dollar store. Even kids can revive a damaged frame but may need supervision with this craft if using a hot glue gun. Insert a picture of the kids and you have a great gift for grandma.

Button That Lamp Shade

Lamp shades aren't cheap, and giving new life to an old shade is more cost effective than buying new. Gluing buttons to a lamp shade can turn your thrift store find into a real eye-catching decorative accent for little cost and effort.

Fill a Lamp Base With Buttons

Add a splash of color to a clear lamp base by filling it with buttons. A boring glass base can become free art by raiding your button box.

Button Hair Clips

Glue buttons to the clip of an old hair bow or hair comb and make your little girl an accessory to match every outfit.

Button Jewelry

Kids love to string things, so give them the box of buttons and some twine and let them create a one-of-a-kind necklace or bracelet. Elastic thread will make a stretchy bracelet, but you may have to help them use a large needle to thread the buttons. Supervise small children that may put buttons in their mouths.

Use a glue gun to arrange various sized buttons overlapping each other and add a bale for a unique pendant, or add a pin-back for a brooch. Glue similar buttons to earring backs to complete the set.

A Fashion Shoe-in With Buttons

A fancy button can dress up the toes of an old pair of pumps. Attach the button directly to the shoe or glue to a clip to allow you to change the look on a whim.

For a more whimsical look, glue mismatched buttons to plain tennis shoes.

Small buttons can also be stitched to the tops of white socks. Make buttoned socks to match the hair bow mentioned above and your daughter will be the envy of all of her friends.