Friday, December 17, 2010

25 Days of Hand Crafted Gifts and Ornaments - Buttons & Pearls Ornament

This ornament is again one near and dear to my heart because it's main component is buttons :)

I am using clear, white or pearl type buttons because it seems like that is what I have more of than any other color.  You could mix it up a bit using different or select colors...totally up to you.  Whatever you prefer.  Many people suggest gluing the buttons to the styrofoam ball I am also using pearl head corsage pins to affix them...that way if I ever want to I can remove them all if I wish to do so ~ no harm done.

25 Days of Hand Crafted Gifts & Ornaments - Button Ball 001

Supplies:

Buttons
Pearl Corsage Pins
Styrofoam Ball
Ribbon
Alcohol Inks (optional)

Instructions:

1. Start by threading 1 or more button(s) of different sizes on the corsage pin.  I am using 2 on most and three on a few.

NOTE: I left all the old thread and bits of fabric on my buttons to give it that vintage "used" feeling...you can of course remove it if you would like.

25 Days of Hand Crafted Gifts & Ornaments - Button Ball 002

2. Poke the pin into the styrofoam ball.

25 Days of Hand Crafted Gifts & Ornaments - Button Ball 003

3. Continue adding pins/buttons....

25 Days of Hand Crafted Gifts & Ornaments - Button Ball 004

until it is completely covered....

25 Days of Hand Crafted Gifts & Ornaments - Button Ball 005

4.  Add a hanging ribbon by poking a pin through the ribbon before adding the button(s).  Poke it into the ball as you have been.

5. (optional) If you are using white buttons like I did and you'd like to add color you can squirt the buttons with Alcohol Inks to color them.

And you're all done!

Note:  Don't worry about the exposed areas of the styrofoam...once you step back away you don't notice it at all.

25 Days of Hand Crafted Gifts & Ornaments - Button Ball 006

25 Days of Hand Crafted Gifts & Ornaments - Button Ball 007

Now I do have to warn you this is a bit time consuming because if you're like me you have to sort through all your buttons for just the right ones to add to your stack.  It is very easy though so it's not a difficult project and goes quickly once you decide what you're using.

9 comments:

  1. Roni -

    Love this ornament. Reminds me of a snowflake. And what a great way to use buttons.

    Elaine Allen

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  2. Great idea! I have tins and tines full of buttons that are not very interesting that would look super used together on an ornament like this. Thanks for the idea! Anne, yourmainestamper

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  3. I love this..so sweet..thanks for the inspiration.

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  4. What a great project and when Christmas is over I can recycle my buttons once again.

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  5. This is so pretty!! I like the fct that you could change it around if you wanted to use different colored buttons next year! I'll honestly be sorry to see Christmas go..you've given us so many great ideas!!

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  6. Oh yeah, I would probably get distracted with all the buttons and hours later, would remember the purpose of it all! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. How fun and even smaller kids can have fun with this ornament. Now to collect loads of buttons for next year's fun in the classroom! Thanks!

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Thanks for your thoughts and comments!