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How to Crochet a Button Charm Necklace

Make Your Own Buttons from Polymer Clay

Linda Permann, contributor

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The final step is to bake the buttons. Here, the solid blue and green buttons have been baked, and the others are waiting to go in the oven.

Linda Permann

Be sure to start on a surface that can get dirty (but isn't dirty itself—you don't want to pick up gunk in your clay). If you have parchment paper, I recommend covering your work surface with that before you start.

Linda Permann

You'll need to condition (soften) the clay to begin working with it. Break off one section of clay and roll it in your hands several times until it softens.

Linda Permann

The final step is to bake the buttons. Here, the solid blue and green buttons have been baked, and the others are waiting to go in the oven.

Photo: Linda Permann

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When the perfect finishing touch for a project is nowhere to be found in stores or your stash, it's time to do it yourself. You can make your own buttons inexpensively and easily with polymer clay! You can even use the clay to make a mold of your favorite button, then use the mold to make replicas of that button in any color you desire. Here I'll show you how to make textured buttons (and molds) and how to make multiple buttons from a colorful cane of polymer clay. These buttons are quick and simple, and they can even survive the washing machine and dryer. If you're not familiar with polymer clay, you can find it at most big-box craft stores near the other clays.

For the basic button, you'll need:

• Polymer clay (Sculpey and Fimo are both good brands)
• A clean work surface and parchment paper
• A rolling pin (don't use the one you use for food; look for a cheapie at a dollar store)
• Cutting tools (small circular cutters—I used thread spools—and a flat blade—I used a cookie cutter)
• Toothpicks
• Buttons, beads, and other textures to press into the clay

Get all of your supplies ready, and be sure to start on a surface that can get dirty (but isn't dirty itself—you don't want to pick up gunk in your clay). If you have parchment paper, I recommend covering your work surface with that before you start.

You'll need to condition (soften) the clay to begin working with it. Break off one section of clay and roll it in your hands several times until it softens.

The colder your climate, the tougher the conditioning will be. If you have a difficult time softening it, try putting the wrapped clay in your pocket for 15 minutes before you begin working with it.

Using a rolling pin, flatten the clay. Please use a pin that's dedicated to craft use, so you don't mix anything gross into future baked goods.

Peel up the flattened clay between each roll to decrease the chances of it sticking to your surface. When the clay is about 1/8 inch thick, peel it up and flip it over one last time.

Now you're ready to cut out your button shapes! You can find clay cutters at craft stores specifically for this purpose. You could also try small cookie cutters or use a blade. I went with what I had on hand: Gutterman thread spools. They were perfectly sized for my buttons, and the bottoms are just deep enough to cut out the button without leaving an impression.

You'll probably get a cleaner cut with specially made tools, but I always like to give some things around the house a try before I spend anything. For me, Gutterman thread spools worked perfectly.

Smooth down the sides of your button, if necessary. Just be patient and turn the button in your hands, smoothing it over with your thumb. Be careful not to overhandle it.

Next, press into the button with a textured object, such as another button, textured beads, or a fork. You can make a button mold as detailed below, but often the reverse impression of your button is just as interesting as the original impression.

If you'd like to replicate your favorite buttons, make a mold of them with polymer clay. First, press the original button into your button shape (that's how I got the green button shown), bake it according to the package instructions, then use that button mold to press into future polymer clay buttons to get a perfect replica.

Finally, you'll need to poke some holes in your buttons using a toothpick. Insert the toothpick where you want each hole to be and twirl it around a few times. Smooth over the back of the button to get rid of the excess clay. All that's left to do is bake the buttons according to the package instructions. Bake them on a piece of parchment paper if you have any to make cleanup easier.

Now, I'm going to show you how to make a super-simple polymer clay cane. Once you get down the basic techniques of cane making, you can go crazy and make all kinds of canes—from geometric and floral designs to faces, animals, etc. Here we'll be cutting the cane to make buttons, but you could also use the pieces to make beads, or you could even tile another piece of clay with the cane cuttings.

To mix colors for your buttons, start by rolling each color into a sausage. Twist the two sausages together and continue twisting, folding, and rolling until the color is mixed to your liking.

To make the (really simple) cane, start with a 3-inch-long sausage of the color you want in the button center. My sausage was a little more than 1/4 inch wide.

Flatten another color (in this case, the marble mix) with your rolling pin, and wrap it around the center sausage, pulling off any excess clay. Repeat this step, flattening and rolling on more colors as many times as you like (I used four layers).

Roll the cane between your fingers and a hard surface to condense the inner layers.

Use a clay blade (or improvise—I used the straight portion of a heart-shaped cookie cutter) to cut off tiny sections of the cane across the short end. The first one or two cuts might not look great, but then you should get several decent-looking cuts.

Don't press too hard on the blade or you will flatten your cut piece on one side (you can fix it with your fingers, though). You may rotate the cane between cuts to keep it from getting too flat on one side, and you can also reroll it a bit between cuts.

Smooth over the cuts if necessary, and add button holes using a toothpick. This will give you several similar sized buttons, perfect for using on a garment.

Finally, bake the buttons according to the package instructions. Here, the solid blue and green buttons have been baked, and the others are waiting to go in the oven.

Once baked, these buttons should be safe going through both the washer and the dryer. The clay companies also make some fun add-ins, such as pearlescent powders and glazes that you can experiment with if you see more polymer clay buttons in your future. Have fun with it!

See more of my projects on my personal blog, and look for my new book, Crochet Adorned, in stores August 11, 2009.

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Comments (25)

BLANCHED writes: THANK YOU, I WAS THINKING ABOUT DOING MY OWN AND YOUR TUTORIAL WAS SO DETAILED THAT NOW I CAN.
I ASKED MY NEPHEW IF HE WOULD MAKE ME SOME BUTTONS FROM POLIMER CLAY, AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR A REPLY.
THIS IS GREAT. THANK YOU AGAIN
Posted: 3:03 pm on October 3rd

paperrain writes: I have been wanting to do this and all I needed was your great tutorial. Thank you! These look amazing!
Posted: 4:58 pm on March 21st

laura63 writes: I love this project can't wait to try it.
Posted: 10:06 am on March 19th

Paws2 writes: Linda...I am a button fanatic and have been looking for something different to create even more buttons so you have filled that need!!! Using other buttons to imprint the clay is a terrific idea that gives you so many more options along with mixing colors..I can't wait to get started!! Thanks
Posted: 10:06 pm on March 15th

Rooty_Tooty writes: Great idea! I'm glad to see that someone has determined that these will withstand washing & drying -- Thanks, Toffy! Does anyone know how durable ink from felt markers or newprint is? I'm thinking there are some nice possibilities here for creativity.

Also, this is a great opportunity to duplicate some of the great vintage buttons that some of us own either in vintage or updated colors. I would also suggest looking for old jewelry either at home or at flea markets for great textures to replicate by pressing into your clay. In fact, just keep your eyes open & there is no telling what textures you will find that you can use. Hardware store might offer some interesting textures.
Posted: 4:36 pm on March 15th

Toffy writes: I had to add that back then I would have dusted the pan with sprinkles of cornstarch. My buttons were not to replicate but just to be creative and get the colors I wanted. I will say that the buttons made by Linda Permann are wonderful, with good ideas for replicating a particular style. Terrific buttons that she made. I did have to re-shape them after I cut them due to the smashing that happens when cut, and I didn't glaze them or sand them but left them a matte, or just as they would be naturally after baking. All this chat about this makes me want to dig out all that clay stuff and make up more...Thanks for the inspiration Linda....
Posted: 10:36 am on March 15th

Toffy writes: I made my own Polymer Clay buttons years ago out of frustration because I was decorating a 2-pc Outfit I had made and couldn't find what I wanted in a store. I had a lot of fun making them, got carried away and still have a few left. I can even sew them on with the machine. Whoopee...less hand sewing for me is the ticket. Most of them I made with only 2 holes and not 4 (for easier sewing). All were 2 or more colors and looked marbled. I probably used Fimo and or Sculpy (the first one),and baked them until leather like. I have washed and dried them in the dryer many many times and they have lasted just fine. Go for it Girls you will have a blast and be so proud of your buttons.
Posted: 10:18 am on March 15th

PolymerClayTutor writes: Making buttons out of Polymer Clay is a great idea. I have a few suggestions though. Use Fimo or Premo brand clay and not Sculpey III. Sculpey III is too brittle and will break over time.

Also bake for 1 hour at 265F instead of the 1/2 hour suggested on the package, to make sure they are properly cured. Buttons go through some wear and tear and they need to be cured for long enough to be strong enough.

Any rough edges or fingerprints can be easily sanded using wet/dry sandpaper in 320/400/600/800/1500 grits respectively.

I agree with Linda that you shouldn't use wax paper in the oven because it will melt on the buttons. If you don't have parchment paper, regular office paper will do just as well. Make sure there is no printing on the side that touches the clay, or the images will be transferred on to it.
Posted: 1:17 pm on March 14th

gracie_girl writes: Finally I know what to do with the Fimo clay I bought on sale eons ago! Really cute buttons---and with the cost of buttons now adays, a cost-viable option. Thanks.
Posted: 12:54 pm on March 14th

ktkatherine writes: This is an AWESOME idea! Thank you! :)
Posted: 11:15 am on March 14th

Loves2spin writes: What fun! I will definitely give this a try. I've never used polymer clay, but I will to make these. I love buttons and nice ones can add a lot to the cost of a project. Thank you so much!
Posted: 10:19 am on March 14th

picklini writes: I love it!
really interestin!
Posted: 9:45 am on March 14th

jekinthebox writes: goodness, but this is awesome! love it and thank you for the tutorial!
Posted: 12:01 pm on March 13th

Sunsh1neGirl writes: @5andDime: if you want a shanked button, you can poke a small hole through the center of the button before baking, and then after baking, thread a headpin (like these http://www.firemountaingems.com/headpins.asp) through and use cutters and pliers to make your shank.
Posted: 11:38 am on March 13th

LindaPermann writes: 5andDime- I'd say no to the wax paper- I think the clay might stick (and definitely don't use it in the oven).

As far as shank buttons go, I think you could easily make a little shank and attach it to the back. Any poked holes should stay open during baking.
Posted: 7:55 pm on March 12th

5andDime writes: Thanks for the great tutorial! Two questions: 1)Does wax paper work in place of parchment paper? 2)What if you want to make flat buttons with a shank? Can you poke holes in the shank part and will they stay open in baking?
Posted: 4:23 pm on March 12th

MichaelaMurphy writes: Linda, when I saw these and then Erika's post I had an evil Sistine crafter thought: what if I made buttons out of polymer clay al la Linda and then made a pillow al la Erika? It would only take 1500 man hours! Right up my DIY alley. These are wonderful--thanks
Posted: 7:01 pm on March 11th

katyjokimbley writes: these are great. i'm going to make buttons AND apply this to beads and pendants. thank you!
Posted: 6:30 pm on March 11th

dlipsky writes: I have some clay i bought for my kids, maybe I will now keep it for myself. Thanks!
Posted: 4:30 pm on March 11th

janetdawson writes: LOVE these buttons! You make it look so easy to do - might be time to haul out all the polymer clay supplies I've got stashed away and try this. I always have trouble finding buttons big enough for my handwoven pillows, so this is a perfect solution! Thanks so much for the inspiration.
Posted: 2:50 pm on March 11th

susanstars writes: Linda, how cool! those are gorgeous :)

I will definitely make some too. I've been wanting to try polymer clay and this looks like the perfect project!
Posted: 12:35 pm on March 11th

LindaPermann writes: Thanks ladies! There are sooooo many possibilities and I have barely scratched the surface here, so I hope you'll have fun experimenting. If you want to get some more ideas for shapes and methods of working, check out your local library- mine was stocked with books on polymer clay.
Posted: 12:19 pm on March 11th

PamHarris writes: Linda,these are just beautiful! I admit to not being a button person...but I just have to make these. HAVE TO!
Posted: 12:11 pm on March 11th

MaryRay writes: This is a great tutorial, Linda. I've always wanted to try this -- buttons are one of my passions and I can't wait to create some of my own.
Posted: 9:37 am on March 11th

Joannie_N writes: These are so cute! I've made beads from clay but for some reason it never occurred to me to make buttons. I'd like to try this and make the button choker from a previous post.
Posted: 9:02 am on March 11th

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