Creating a button jar

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dd loves buttons and I reckon she'd love a big button jar for her birthday for sorting out and playing with and using for crafts. I have a selection of ones I had round the house but need more. I don't want to buy a ready made button jar as making and adding to it is part of the fun. But wondered if anyone can recommend a cheap source of buttons so I can start her off and any fun toddler friendly (she'll be three) button crafts and any good plastic jars and sorting trays etc.

eBay do job lots

We've just done a button box for dd2's third birthday. I bought some buttons from the local market, as well as some I found lying around the house. My mum contributed a few from around the house and we found some reasonably priced interesting ones on ebay, but some of the ebay ones seem quite expensive to me.

Dd2 just likes sorting them atm, she likes describing how she's sorting them, small/big, colours, textures, etc. Eventually we might start sewing them onto plastic canvas with a big needle.

Mmmm, can't really answer your specific questions. But just to say button jars are a fab idea which both my kids love. I've inherited my Grandma's, which is kept in an old tiffin tin (from the days of the Raj) and which is almost as tactile as sorting the buttons themselves. I've added to it over the years with all those random buttons that come with clothes. The best ones though are the oldest - old shoe buttons, military ones, bone, hand carved/painted, buckles etc.

So I'd say in your quest look for really interesting and tactile ones, so maybe charity shops or second hand/bric a brac places. Old chocolate tins like Roses or QS are good for storage.

Charity shops usually have a button tin on the go but you sometimes have to ask as it might be hidden behind the till. I love hunting through the buttons with my ds and deciding which ones we want. It's cheaper than a trip to soft play anyway.

I'm 32 this year and I'd LOVE a button jar?

Yellow moon seem reasonable for basic ones eg flower / heart etc &cid=JWMDGPT0NJQPXEXKZCQ4X2BO24OX3EF9 here

I've got some from bootsales (maybe a bit early in the year). We play Button Shop. I am the customer & DD is the shop keeper. I have to give her my order (3 red, 2 blue and a square one) and we practice numbers, colours & shapes without any agro!

I love my button tin ! I had some of my own, some from an auction (complete with tins) some from a charity shop (in a tin) and my mother in law gave me a tin with LOTS !All in the last few months. I have made 2 braclets so far and am working on a button canvas. The 2 and 1/2 year old daughterof my cousin is enjoying playing with some of them, she spoons them up and puts them in her stacking cups, we also use a 12 hole yorkshire pudding type tray to put them in. Next time Seabright, think I will nick your idea !!

I love this idea - my DS's would love playing with them.

I'm going to start collecting

Love the playing shops idea. Thanks.

Our local independent fabric shop has a good selection. The problem with buttons online is the coat of postage is so much compared to the cost of cheap buttons.

Maybe try hobbycraft?

Maybe put a wanted ad on freecycle?

I wonder where my granny's button box is? I sort of have my own. But I usually keep the buttons and spare yarn when I buy new clothing, and its often attached to a tag. It's practical to keep them that way, but you lose the tactile, fun, part of sticking your fingers in and playing lucky dip .

ebay?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pack-of-100-Spot-Buttons-23mm-Dot-Buttons-Imperfect-Resin-Button-Jar-Seconds-/121083767672?pt=UK_Crafts_Buttons_EH&hash=item1c3127ab78

or

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200-Mix-Vintage-BUTTONS-IMPERFECT-Seconds-FLOWERS-JEWELLERY-Craft-/140936749225?pt=UK_Crafts_Buttons_EH&hash=item20d07c20a9

Thanks GemmaTeller but want lots of oddments rather than sets.

Many clothes have a spare button arrached to the label, or on shirts there are usually 2 at the bottom of the placket. You can cut these off and put them in the box, they'll still be there if you ever need to replace one on the garment.