Got a lot of old buttons laying around the house? I sure did. So I decided to make a fantastic button bowl using a balloon and glue- I know it sounds crazy but stick with me here! Turn those piles, bags, drawers (I had a lot of buttons too, no judgement) full of old buttons into something beautiful and functional.
These bowls are easy to make and the supplies are very cheap. Button bowls would be a fun craft to make with your kids on a rainy day, or as a one-of-a-kind gift for that someone who has it all. 
What you will need:
flat buttons of desired colors and sizes (I have found that smaller buttons tend to stick better)
balloons
white glue- Elmer’s white glue works well, or Tacky glue, anything that dries clear
large paint brush
scissors
news paper
cup or can to balance balloon on while it dries (see photos)
patience
1. Blow up a balloon to the desired size you want your bowl to be and place it knot side down into a cup, can or jar that you don’t mind getting a little glue on
2. Cover half of the balloon with glue using a paintbrush (or your finger, works for me). You might have to alternate holding the balloon by the knot for a few minutes then setting it knot-side-down in your jar in order for the glue to have an even coat and not drip off.
3. Let the glue dry completely forming a layer of rubber-like protection between the balloon and your layer of buttons
4. After this first layer is completely dry, apply a second coat of glue using your brush (or finger) starting at the top of the balloon and working your way down toward the knot. Attach buttons to this layer as close together as you can fit them.
5. Continue adding the second layer of glue and attaching buttons until your half a balloon is covered with beautiful buttons.
6. Once all the desired buttons are attached turn your button covered balloon upside down in your cup so that the knot is in the air and the buttons are balanced on the lip of the cup- this is to keep your buttons from sliding down the balloon while they dry.
7. Let the layer of glue and buttons dry completely- usually requires about 4 or 5 hours.
8. Once the second layer of glue and buttons is completely dry, coat the buttons over again with a third layer of glue.
9. Allow this third layer of glue to dry completely- I usually let it sit overnight- and if desired you can apply a fourth layer of glue to strengthen your bowl even more.
10. When your bowl is entirely dry use a scissor and cut the knot on the balloon to slowly let the air out. Sometimes glue will drip down, just peel it back and use the scissor to snip any unwanted glue bits away from the button edge.
11. Admire your hard work and patience!
These bowls are a lot of fun to make and each one comes out unique! It is important to note that these bowls are NOT WATER RESISTANT, unless you choose to use a water resistant form of glue. They are for decorative purposes only and should not be used for food (unless, of course, the food is decorative as well).
Here are a few other button bowls I have made using this technique:
Posted by cpr11 on August 14, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Thank you for proving that this CAN be done! So many nay-sayers on another site…
Posted by designs by kristen on August 14, 2012 at 9:05 pm
You are welcome
The trick is to do a few layers of glue before applying the buttons, and a few more after- the more layers the stronger the bowl! Enjoy!
Posted by Me on September 29, 2012 at 11:25 pm
Hi
Posted by Debbie on October 14, 2012 at 3:02 pm
This is something I have been wanting to try. I tried making one with doilys, but didn’t work out. I guess I didn’t put enough of the type of glue that was used. I got if from one of the bloggers (sorry, can’t remember her name). 1/2 cup of sugar and 2/3 cups of water.. boil about 3 minutes then dip doileys in and lay on balloon.. I have no clue of where I went wrong.
Posted by Kim on November 2, 2012 at 10:37 am
I made a buttin bowl using your method and it looks fantastic!
Posted by designs by kristen on November 2, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Awesome! So glad you tried it out! I would love to see some photos if you feel like sharing
Posted by Abhishek.Thaker on December 7, 2012 at 8:00 pm
good ideas………!!!! gr8……..!!!!!!
Posted by Kim on November 2, 2012 at 10:38 am
Sorry that should say button
Posted by Ashley on December 5, 2012 at 10:13 am
How strong are the bowls & is there anything you can use to make the glue more clear or will that type of glue not work as well? I thought it would be neat to try to make one as a surving bowl for like chips or somethin but not sure how that would work out, maybe even for s decoration piece to put something in. was thinking maybe resin would be cool to try to make them out of. Never worked with resin before though lol. Thank you for your time & awesome tips!
Posted by designs by kristen on December 8, 2012 at 12:10 am
The more layers of glue you put on the balloon before adding the buttons, and after adding the buttons the stronger the bowls will be. More layers of glue will also make the glue less clear, I used school glue because it dries almost clear- there are other types of glue, like Tacky Glue, that will work too but the bowls will be more fragile and shatter when dropped. I haven’t found a way to make them water proof yet that is non-toxic- most sealants and varnishes are pretty nasty stuff and should not be around food!
Thanks for the input, and have fun with your bowls!
Posted by Brianna Titus on January 18, 2013 at 5:32 pm
Have you tried wood sealant, like carpanters would use on wooden dishes? It would come out clear, and would lock water out.
Posted by GmaSheila on March 18, 2013 at 2:48 pm
I would suggest putting a clear glass or plastic bowl inside the button bowl for food use.
Posted by Ange on December 14, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Just wondering if pva would work as well.
Posted by Bombed Button Bowl | CraftFail on January 16, 2013 at 3:00 pm
[...] of fourteen seconds on Pinterest, then you’ve no doubt seen roughly seventy jillion pins for button bowls, like the one pictured above by designs by kristen. They’re all based on the original button [...]
Posted by cathy on February 10, 2013 at 1:13 pm
i tried this and it came out great for a few days, then the bowl started to loose it’s shape, it’s also bendable…did I not use enough of the glue? Should I put it back on a form and put on more of the modge podge? Or another glue?
please help….
Posted by designs by kristen on February 10, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Hi Cathy, It sounds like you might need a few more layers of glue. I did this for the first few bowls- one completely collapsed into a pile of glue and buttons! You can blow up another balloon and put the bowl back on to add more layers, hope this helps!
Posted by cathy on February 10, 2013 at 11:37 pm
thanks, i’ll try this….
Posted by Jess on February 14, 2013 at 8:20 am
hi my names Jess and i’m fresh out of high school and lately i’ve been crazy arty and doing all these things. i’ve done toilet roll art, blending art, crayon art and real life art. i was looking for something new and unique and then i found this! can i just this is amazing, of all the art things i’ve been looking at this just…it inspires me to do more. i mentioned it to my friend and she told me last year she made a chocolate bowl using a ballon. honestly i was like who makes stuff with balloons then i saw this. first website to show and must i say thank you. i’m gonna make a few to store my new art yarn balls in.
Posted by designs by kristen on February 23, 2013 at 3:11 am
Thanks Jess! It’s always nice to talk with fellow craft lovers
I hope you have fun with balloon bowls! And if you haven’t seen it- check out http://www.craftgawker.com- there are SO many amazing things to make AND instructions on how to make them!
Happy Crafting!
Posted by Lauren on February 23, 2013 at 12:39 am
Do you think Mod Podge would work instead of glue? I have significantly more mod podge but never know if it and glue are interchangeable
Posted by designs by kristen on February 23, 2013 at 3:09 am
I don’t have too much experience with Mod Podge, but have seen it used to seal and things like jewelry and paper crafts so I don’t see why it wouldn’t work! It dries clear as well, but i’m not sure that it is water-resistant?
Mod Podge also works to make transparencies from magazine photographs if you coat the front side of a picture from a magazine with 6 or 7 layers of Mod Podge (letting each layer dry before applying the next coat) then run the back of the picture under water and gently rub off the paper pulp the Mod Podge holds the image in a cool transparency!
Posted by 8 Awesome Girl Scout Ideas - Craft Ideas Girl Scouts Will Love on March 12, 2013 at 12:18 pm
[...] Designs by Kristen shows you how to make a super cute bowl using buttons and balloons. You gotta know this is an awesome Girl Scout craft! [...]
Posted by Whitney on March 12, 2013 at 9:48 pm
in the process of making my first button bowl! Im very excited for the outcome.
thank you for the great idea, its something too keep me busy on my days off. haha
Posted by designs by kristen on March 13, 2013 at 2:12 am
You are very welcomed Whitney! Nothing beats a good old crafting day off
Posted by Joanna on May 16, 2013 at 10:15 pm
I’m home from college and sitting around all day doing nothing until my job starts next month, so I’ve decided to make all of my favorite pins to life for my college apartment next year and this is my first step. The button layer is drying right now and I’m excited to see how it turns out!
Posted by designs by kristen on May 18, 2013 at 6:34 pm
Excellent! Enjoy your crafting time before the new job, Sounds like your new apartment is going to be full of one-of-a-kind treasures
Posted by Joey on May 18, 2013 at 4:23 pm
I’m trying is right now!