I’ve been making small bouquets of flowers to sell with the vintage bottles I’ve embellished for the craft fair next month. I’ve seen button bouquets done before, but putting old book page petals on them gives them a fun little twist (you’ll appreciate that pun later, read on.)
This project almost explains itself with the photos, it’s really simple if you collect up all the right supplies. My big find was a roll of thin, vintage cotton-coated radio wire, found in a box of junk somewhere. (I’ll pick up most anything at a garage sale or thrift store if it looks utilitarian, and hope I can find where I put it later when I need something like that.) Be sure your wire is small enough to fit through the holes of the buttons you’ll be using.
For the paper petals, I used aged book pages from distressed books. It’s a good idea to Mod Podge the page and dry before punching out flower shapes. That keeps them durable and less likely to rip when stringing onto the wire. I have several size and shape punches for this project.
I’ve been hording buttons lately, eBay and Etsy sellers are a good source for large lots for not a lot of dough. For most of these bouquets I stuck with white and off-white buttons. Shaped and colored buttons make fun arrangements, too.
Once you have all your pieces, get your wire cutters and a good movie. These flowers are extremely easy, just a bit time consuming.
Measure wire pieces twice the length of your finished flower stem plus a little to account for twisting. Fold wire in half and start stacking buttons and petals. Depending on the strength of your wire you can determine how much button weight it can handle. To thread the petals, I score (cut a small X) in the center of the flower shape, or for bigger shapes, I use a small hole-punch.
Once the items are threaded and stacked, start twisting. None of my twists are perfect, and I think that gives them a nice primitive, handmade feel. (See how I justify imperfection, ha ha.) You can bend petals up or down for a nice effect. For small floral spray pieces to pop out of the bouquets, I wound tiny buttons spaced apart. To finish bouquets, bring several stems together and wrap with wire, then if you prefer, trim the ends even.
Very pretty, the book papers offer something extra; I like it!
I am totally, unashamedly stealing this idea.
These are so pretty! I am going to follow your blog so I don’t lose this.
Those are so lovely and delicate! What a cute idea.
These are super cute!!!!
I’ve made button bouquets before but this is a great “twist”. I love them.
Thanks, Mary
I agree, I love the addition of the paper. I’m giving this a try.
Holy Moly!!! How in the world you came up with this idea, I’ll never know. Okay, you have way too much time on your hands. ha! Need some work??
Your button flowers are fab! I will have to feature them on my blog soon.
Very fun! Love it
Very charming.
So sweet and–gosh I’ve been waiting a long time to use this word apropriately–twee!! I am simply amazed at how much you’ve managed to create!
Wow – you are extremely talented and I love your blog. I’ve just come across it and I’m an immediate fan! Great stuff!
Okay, this is brilliant. I immediately thought of someone I could make something like this for, and I have all the supplies to do so. Love old buttons, love old books. In fact, I’m going to post a photo of a button project I made for our wedding on my blog so be sure to visit and check it out!
Happy weekend,
Tina
Pfeiffer Photos
love books and love buttons – so much fun.
I have done some button magnets in the past, and threaded little beads on the wire that shows…you’ve probably done that.
These are oh-so pretty…love the soft-vintagey colors!
These are darling! I love them. You seriously have the greatest ideas and are so talented!
so charming!
Wow, so pretty. I love the photo with all the buttons in the tray, so many of them!
You always have the most creative ideas! I just love this and think I will have to make myself one with all of the buttons and old books I have laying around. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Hello,
I love these flowers! Do you have any idea where I might find this type wire. It’s so much more attractive than the green wire commonly used to make these.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
Blessings,
Joni
Absolutely gorgeous. Mmmm… project number 203
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Hi
I love these button flowers and tried making some, but the problem I have is finding the right wire. It seems either the wire is too flimsy, or too hard to bend by hand. Is there a specific wire gauge size you use? Thanks!
Hannah
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An easy way to twist the wire on projects like this, use a drill. Take out the bit and where it would go, put in the wire, tighten it down, and hold the button, push it for power, and it twists!! Try it a couple different ways, but I was able to do an assembly line in about 1/2 the time it took before then!