What can I do with a bag of round buttons (like the pin/brooch type)?

Question

Years and years ago, my mom got a huge bag of buttons from a census or something and they're like two or two-and-a-half inches in diameter and they're made of metal.

A few of years ago, I thought it was cool to scrape off the yellow paint-ish stuff on the front so that it would just be silver. Then I taped letters and/or designs on the front and spraypainted it gold. I peeled off the tape, and it was interesting but also very, very time consuming.

What else can I do?

I'm going through a wire jewelry phase right now, so anything in that "field" would be better, but all ideas are welcome.

Answer 1

Glue some of the buttons to picture frames or

mirrors for an unique look, glue to lamp shades,

glue all around a vase, attach to drawer pulls

to spice up a dresser. Check out www.hgtv.com

and go to their Trash To Treasure section for more ideas.  I do like some of the things you have done.

Answer 2

Make brooches out of them using pieces of broken pottery, beads, recycled jewelry.  Be sure to use a very strong jewelry glue so the brooches don't disintegrate.  If you can drill or poke holes through the buttons, you can hang beads on wire.

Have fun.

Answer 3

I can't picture them exactly, but they sound like they would make an interesting bracelet.  You could use wire to piece it all together.   I don't know if you scrapbook or make cards or anything, but buttons are always great for both of these types of projects.  I keep picturing a purse strap made of buttons, I think that would look really interesting.  You could either sew them on to the actual purse strap or connect the buttons somehow to make a new purse strap.  It could work. Have fun!