These ‘flowers’ make a pot plant very attractive, especially in winter when they have finished flowering.
Button Flowers
Materials:
- Green florists wire
- Colorful buttons
Instructions:
- For each flower, choose a set of 3 buttons of varying sizes.
- Thread a 20cm length of florists’ wire up through the holes in the set of 3 buttons and then back down again as in diagram.
- Twist the wire just below the sets to secure them, then insert the flowers in around your pot plant.
Button Gumboot
Materials:
- Gumboots (children’s ones don’t use as many buttons!)
- Craft glue
- Buttons
Instructions:
- Make sure gumboot is clean and dry.
- Glue a small area of the gumboot and place buttons close together all over it.
- Glue another area and push buttons firmly onto it. Continue until gumboot is fully covered.
- This could be filled with soil and planted – but holes would need to be drilled in the sole for drainage before you decorate it. Otherwise use as a feature/ornament.
Button Stamps
Materials:
- Corks
- Fancy buttons
- Craft glue
- Inked stamp pads
Instructions:
- Select buttons with raised surfaces and distinct patterns -- fluted edges, stars, flowers, cat's eyes, and pinwheels. With white craft glue, mount buttons on wine or craft corks; if possible, use a cork narrower than the button so you can see to position the stamp accurately. Buy already inked stamp pads in several colors from your stationer. Uncoated papers are most receptive to the ink. Since buttons are rigid, you'll get the best image by laying paper over a piece of felt or a stack of folded paper towels before stamping. Press button into pad, then stamp, rocking it gently; this ensures a complete edge.
- Wipe the stamp clean on a damp sponge between impressions. Try layering some of the simpler images for enhanced effect.
Rock paperweight (or ornament in garden)
Materials:
- Small stones that sit flat on the base
- Craft glue
- Buttons of various colours & sizes
Instructions:
- Make sure stones are clean & dry.
- Work out a pattern of buttons on the table to make your picture. Check size will fit the stone.
- Glue where you want the ‘button picture’ to be and transfer buttons onto the stone, pressing firmly into the glue.
- Leave to dry.
Option: Can make this with larger rocks/stones for the garden.
