Making a Button Clock
Purchase a clock movement, hands, and dial template from a clock-parts supplier or a hobby store, and find a tin lid deep enough to conceal the works.

Tools and Materials
Round cookie-tin lid
Awl
Nail set
Dial template
12 buttons in various sizes, shapes, and colors
Multipurpose cement
Clock movement

Making a Button Clock How-To
1. Poke a hole through the center of the lid with an awl. Using a nail set, widen the hole to accommodate the shaft.

2. Refer to the dial template to position the button hour markers. Affix buttons with multipurpose cement. To assemble mechanism, follow manufacturer's instructions.

Making Button Tea Napkins
Winsome tea napkins carry a harvest of buttons to the table. It takes only a bit of embroidery to flesh out the suggestion of cherries, apples, lemons, grapes, or a pea pod.

Making a Button Bag

Inspired by the basic brown paper bag, these small totes are made of canvas or linen.

Tools & Materials
12-by-24-inch piece and 3-by-24-inch strip of canvas or linen
3-by-24-inch strip of fusible webbing
Pinking shears
Sewing machine
24 inches cotton webbing, for handles
Needle and thread
100 or more buttons per side, depending on placement and button size