Tutorial - Collaged button

I made several collaged buttons a few weeks ago and thought it would be fun to provide a tutorial to describe the process I used.  

I started with a piece of thick plastic packaging which provides a good substrate for the process and makes a sturdy button.

I used a Sizzix Circle Die to cut a circle.  In this case, I used the smallest circle which is about an inch.  For this one I used the second largest which was 1.5".  

I sanded the edge and one side with fine grit sand paper.  The edge can be a bit rough after cutting so it may need sanding to smooth it out.  Sand the roughest side of the plastic circle - generally the one that has been on the outside of the packaging which leaves the nice smooth side for the good side of your button.  The sanding will provide tooth for the glue you will use for your collage.

Apply glue to the rough side.  I used Dimensional Magic but any clear glue will do.  Spread it over the whole surface being careful to not miss any spots.  If you miss some spots you will be able to see them from the front of the button and the collage will not be adhered properly to the plastic.

For the project I am working on I needed a gold button so I applied gold foil to the back.  Here you can see that the glue is well distributed and makes contact with the foil on the whole surface.  

This foil is combined with the brown and gold paper medallion which I used on a few of my recent cards.  You can check this featured post to see if you can figure out which tasty treat this packaging has housed.  Leave me a comment with your guess!

I roughly trimmed the extra foil and applied small binder clips to the edges.  I did, in this case, include a circle punchie on the bottom side so that the clips would not damage the foil.  It is best to leave this for a few hours or over night to ensure that the glue is dry. 

Once dry, I trimmed the foil to the edge of the circle and sanded lightly from back to front to ensure a smooth edge for my button.  You will likely have to clean the front of your button as well because there will be dried glue on it.  I use my finger nail to scratch off the dried glue as to not damage the front of my button.  

Now, you can use this as a 3D embellishment in your work as it does provide a nicely finished collage element.  Consider using a tag shape instead and make a hole at top instead. 

So many possibilities!!

I marked the holes with a black sharpie marker before punching them.  I am using the standard two holes but you could certainly use four if you prefer.  If you are using yours as an embellishment you could certainly punch the holes near the edges instead and attach it to your project with brads.  

I punched these holes with a 1/16" hole punch.  I used a 1/8" punch on the larger buttons I created.  

Use whatever size suit your purpose. 

Here is my button used on my project.  I layered it over a teal fabric circle and then onto a scalloped circle of sheer gold fabric.  It was exactly what I wanted!!

So I hope you will find this tutorial helpful.  I had been finding that adding buttons to my paper crafting and small fabric projects meant that I had to apply extra postage to send them on their way. 

These buttons have less dimension and therefore do not incur that cost.  The fact that they are artsy and fun is also very cool.  I love that I can make them to suit any project I am working on.  I can certainly see making some that would be used as 3D embellishments instead and be attached to my project in a different way instead of the holes which makes these ones buttons.  

A bonus is that most of the supplies for this project you likely have in your stash!!

Enjoy!  Please feel free to leave a comment if you have enjoyed the tutorial or if you have made up some collaged buttons!!

Therese