Vintage Military Button Rings

One day I was wondering through Potobello Market in London. I came across this stand that sold these beautiful buttons. The women running the stand collects collects british military buttons from WWII. She finds military jackets at sales and takes off the buttons and sells them. She also has Greek ones, and glass ones. I bought some Greek ones also the military buttons. We got ones with the Royal Coat of Arms and one with a Greek emporer. When I got them I wonderd what I should do with them. So I decided to make rings.

You will need:
Buttons (prefferably brass or silver)
Ring bases that mach the buttons
Metal cutters
Industriel stenth adhesive
(optional)  Brass Cleaner
 

My buttons have a medal circle on the back to put the thread through. You are going to cut those off with the medal cutters. It is pretty hard to cut but it is possable. Now you ar going to file the back of the buttons to get the extra sharp metal off. This also take some time to do. Next you will file the bottom of the button to get the sharp edges off.

So now you will wash the buttons in soapy water. You can  scrub them with a toothbrush. After you have done that get out the brass cleaner and a paper towel. Put it on the towel and scrub the buttons. This is optional but if you dont do it it will have more of a vintage look. I would personally do the vintage.

Now we can attach it to the base. To do this put the adhesive on the base. Then put the buttons on the base but put it on so its not sideways. Now set the buttons down so they can dry and a place were the wont break.

Finally we are done. The final product is really good. You can use these as gifts or just keep them to your self. I will be giving these away to my friends.