DIY Wedding

How to Turn Blah Buttons into Bodacious Buttons

Diane Gilleland, contributor

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These buttons were customized with Sharpie paint markers—one of four methods for painting buttons we'll explore in this post.

Diane Gilleland

Here's a set embellished with ordinary hobby-store model paints.

Diane Gilleland

This group of buttons gets luminous color from nail polish.

Diane Gilleland

These buttons were customized with Sharpie paint markers—one of four methods for painting buttons we'll explore in this post.

Photo: Diane Gilleland

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Method Two: Nail Polish
Here's an option you might already have around the house. If you're painting buttons for a nonwearable use, like a jewelry project, you might give good old nail polish a try. Depending on the formula, it will provide sheer to opaque coverage. (You can always add extra coats if you want the paint to be more opaque.) It will dry with a lovely, glossy finish, and you can experiment with pearlescent, frosty colors or saturated solids. And, since it's formulated for nails, it has a nice way of smoothing itself out as it dries. The brush that comes in the bottle may be a little large for painting a button, but you can dip a smaller paintbrush into the bottle. (You can clean it up with some acetone or drugstore nail polish remover.)

Nail polish provides a glossy finish.

Nail polish will crack in the washer and dryer, so it may be best for nonwearable projects.

Nail polish should be left to dry overnight on your buttons, and then you can seal it with some clear top coat. Nail polish didn't perform especially well in my washer and dryer—as you might expect, it cracked on the buttons.

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How to Make Button Embellishments for Shoes!  

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How to Make a Covered-Button Bracelet and Ring Set

Comments (20)

BluKatDesign writes: Fun idea! This could add a whole new dimension to my button earrings :)
Posted: 10:18 pm on April 26th

mrsg3 writes: Thanks for all of the ispirational ideas! I'm off to play : )
Marie
Posted: 2:23 pm on May 2nd

KimberlyJDC writes: I've been using nail polish for about a week now until I found this tutorial... I'll be buying Sharpie paint markers tomorrow! I've been using a piece of styrofoam to stick my "buttons on toothpicks" in to let them dry too. Thanks for a wonderful tutorial!
Posted: 10:53 am on March 31st

BeckyN writes: I knew there was a reason why I've hung onto all these old white buttons for so long - that some day I could justify this habit!

Thanks! Off to get Sharpies!
Posted: 8:42 am on March 28th

beaderonboard writes: What a great idea!!!
I have lots of white buttons, as soon as I get some Sharpie Paint markers I will paint them all.
Yeah, no more boring white buttons,
Now I'm thinking I will buy nothing but white buttons from now on, they are cheaper, and I can customize them.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful idea.
Posted: 3:12 pm on March 22nd

pinkroses writes: You can make earrings too.
I have made some
you need a jewerly plier and you pop off the back and put on a post of finds and there you have it pinkroses
Posted: 1:29 pm on March 22nd

paperrain writes: This is great stuff. I especially like the use of different paints, and polishes, in case you can't find the right color. And I think of all the plain buttons I've given away because I thought they were blah!

never again!
Posted: 4:52 pm on March 21st

samsstuff writes: Too cute & so simple, what a great idea! Thanks for trying out the different methods for us! Thanks for the article.
Posted: 4:23 pm on March 21st

Inba_Weisman writes: Great tutorial!
Posted: 3:49 pm on March 21st

DonnaLee50 writes: I have used the sharpies for designs with great results. One of my favorites ways to use white buttons is to dye them with fabric dye. Just add boiling water to a jar with a teaspoon of your choice of powdered dye and let sit until cool. Some plastic buttons will take the dye well and become vibrant and others do not work at all.
Posted: 3:29 pm on March 21st

PamHarris writes: I would never, ever have thought to paint buttons! I love the way they look and that you can make them truly your very own. -No two alike!
Posted: 1:12 pm on March 21st

kathidahl writes: I cannot wait to try this. I have some granddaughter projects coming up - these clever buttons will really make them pop!
Posted: 12:48 pm on March 21st

TisMsMarlo writes: This is a great way to add a personalized touch to a project and it's thrifty too. Another inspiring project thanks Craftstylish!
Posted: 11:57 am on March 21st

Average_Jane_Crafter writes: Such an awesome tutorial! First off, the toothpick idea is beyond brilliant - I love it! And I love the idea of customizing plain buttons. Fantastic!
Posted: 11:21 am on March 21st

sweetserenity writes: A perfect tutorial.
Posted: 11:05 am on March 21st

walkinthewoodsllc writes: This is such a fun-fun-fun idea! And, as a rabid waste-not upcycling champion, I adore the nail polish idea! While I don't wear it, I know several who do and who likely have bottles that they (shame on them) regularly discard! :)
Posted: 7:54 am on March 21st

sandysheep writes: What an excellent article!! So great that you showed the laundry results as well as all of the different materials!!
Great pix too. Can't wait to try it!
Posted: 7:48 am on March 21st

Glorijane writes: I wish I thought of that, you just added a whole new level to my Button Bracelets that I make.
Posted: 5:21 pm on March 20th

JenniferStern writes: I love it...what an easy way to get buttons that match the fabric!!
Posted: 2:34 pm on March 20th

eyesaflame writes: Great job giving us not only the toothpick holder tips, but also showing how they hold up after washing! That's invaluable . . .
Posted: 1:05 pm on March 20th

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