how to make a clay button.

While I was browsing the aisles of Hobby Lobby {i could live in that store}, 

I stumbled across a sale on their polymer clay.

I purchased a couple, knowing that I had been wanting to make some buttons.

After getting home, I made a few and thought I would share how I did it!

I attached my first to a jon jon.

I am curious how these will hold up in the wash and dryer... does anyone know?

I googled it and found that some people out there say it should do fine if you use harder clay like Premo.

I guess time will tell for the jon jon, but the are still so stinkin' cute and can be used in lots of other ways as decorative buttons.

So here is what I did...

I purchased some Premo clay, which is supposed to be harder than others.

Pinch off a bit and begin working the clay with your hands so that it will soften.

Next put the clay on freezer or wax paper and begin to roll it flat with a rolling pin, until it is about 1/4 inch thick.

Here is my clay rolled flat.

Now you are going to need to find something to use as a "cookie cutter" to cut out your buttons.

I found that the tool used in making covered buttons worked great!

Press the cutter into the clay and cut out your buttons.

Now peel back the excess clay.

Now we need to put the holes into our buttons.

I used a mechanical pencil point.

{pretty button holes}

I now added decorative markings around the outer rim of my buttons... but this is necessary!

Using the tip of the pencil I made small dots around the edge of the button.

{aren't they cute}

Now place your buttons on a cookie sheet and bake according to the directions.

I baked mine at 275 F for an hour.

After doing research I found that you can bake the buttons longer to increase their strength.

But you must never increase the baking temperature!!! 

Because they will burn and give off toxic fumes, when they burn.

So keep it at 275 F.

Allow the buttons to cool for a few hours and then sew them onto everything :)

Happy Sewing!