Jewelry Box Buttons

Learn how to turn earrings (either clip on or post style) into unique, designer buttons from sewing professional Barbara Wright Sykes.

*Note: To protect fingers and fingernails, you might want to consider using gloves, either surgical gloves or gardening gloves.

Materials:

jewelry pliers
sandpaper or a metal file
cotton swab
rubbing alcohol
jewelry glue
needle-nose pliers
flat-head button

Steps:

Figure A

Remove the back of the earring with jewelry pliers. Smooth out the back of the earring with either sandpaper or a metal file (figure A).
To remove any residue and prepare the surface for glue, rub the back of the earring with a cotton swab dipped that has been in rubbing alcohol.

Figure B

Apply a bead of glue to the back. Using needle-nose pliers, position a flat head button in the middle (figure B). Hold in place for five seconds.

Let the glue dry overnight before sewing with the button.

Earrings can be modified to make wonderful shoe clips or a matching pin when the appropriate backing is glued to the back.

Tips

This technique can be used to create pins and shoe clips as well. Backings are available from sewing and beading stores.
To protect the button at the dry cleaners, simply wrap it in foil before dropping off the garment.

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