How to Make Buttons (and Other Stuff) With Old Books | Vintage Book Buttons April 15 2019
Somewhere along the way we came into possession of a large (really large) collection of vintage books. Many are decades old and cover a range of topics.
Instead of letting them sit around collecting dust we have been using them to upcycle into new products like fridge magnets, mirrors and notebooks. And now we thought we'd share the wealth of these books with you!
When we make the upcycled notebooks, the books original pages get removed so we can add the blank note paper. And we get too many pages to be able to make products with.
So we've packaged them up into vintage book pages bundles available online and in our Toronto store for anyone who likes making new things from old like we do!
The thing with making buttons is that you do not have to print our your artwork all the time. You can use scrap paper or wrapping paper and even some wallpaper as long as the pages are not too thick. The key here is the thickness of the paper. Button makers are designed to only press a certain thickness.
If you press something think like cardstock and some photo papers, you will find that you machine will have trouble pressing the button pieces together tightly.
And even if you do manage to press a thicker paper with your machine you may over time actually stretch the machine's die so that making a regular old button now is difficult. The press won't be nice and tight, which means your button may come apart after pressing.
But vintage book pages are just fine to use with your button maker. And some old books include beautiful images and drawings you just don't see anymore so the result can be nostalgic and romantic.
Do you have any old books laying around the house that you just know you aren't going to read again (if you ever did), but you can't fathom the thought of tossing the book out? Try some fun new products using your button maker. Think coasters (for the 3.5" machine only), magnets and mirrors.
And don't forget to tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see what you are making. We really love to see what you are creating.
Related Reading
UPCYCLE INSPIRATION: POCKET MIRRORS MADE WITH PORTRAITS FROM VINTAGE BOOKS
DIY INSPIRATION: FINE GENTLEMAN UPCYCLED VINTAGE COLLAGE FRIDGE MAGNETS
DIY PROJECT: MYSTERY SERIES POCKET MIRRORS
