Make a Button Tray

A $1.99 round teak tray is easy to convert to a unique button tray. Great for a gift to a friend with a new home, a shower gift or a birthday gift. Wrap it up with a bottle of wine for the perfect gift.

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Step 1: Measure and Mark

Measure and mark the center of the tray with four pencilled dots to look like the holes in a button.

dannydraait says: Feb 3, 2012. 7:15 PM

LOVE it! So simple yet it looks like it came from a designer shop. I definitely are gonna use your idea. I just got the same idea as jessyratfink :)

deofthedead says: Feb 25, 2010. 4:32 AM

Okay, my mom's birthday isn't until July, but I -so- know what I'm making for her now. She loves buttons, and she loves trays. It's got her name all over it! You rock. <3 5/5 for such a simple, delightful project.

modhomeecteacher (author) in reply to deofthedeadFeb 25, 2010. 5:14 AM

Be sure to clamp the button down onto a piece of wood and WATCH OUT for the big circle drill bit--it jumps when you first turn the drill on. I just did another "button tray and the bit jumped and chewed up my thumb a little. OUCH!!!

deofthedead in reply to modhomeecteacherFeb 25, 2010. 7:52 AM

-Ouch!- That is no fun. I'll be sure to watch out for that, then! Thanks a lot, and here's hoping you heal quickly.

sensoryhouse says: May 27, 2009. 2:50 PM

You sure like to make huge buttons.

modhomeecteacher (author) in reply to sensoryhouseMay 27, 2009. 6:36 PM

The button pillow is just a knockoff of a pillow made by a home products company in Europe. I wanted to show others how they could do the same. :) Thanks for the comment.

crampedyogapositions says: May 4, 2009. 12:42 PM

wow... nice idea. i think that im going to make allot of these and have a stand holder for them to....know now what my cristmass present to other people coulde be. one question ? how would you curve the surface of the wood to keep it from being flat? or did you just buy the tray that way?

modhomeecteacher (author) in reply to crampedyogapositionsMay 26, 2009. 7:58 PM

The tray was just like that. You can make adjustments depending upon the shape you find.

wupme says: Apr 29, 2009. 8:07 PM

Ok the drillbit aint a problem for me, i got about 3-4 sets of those (use them pretty often). But where can i get such a tray? I've looked in all stores i suspected to have one, no luck here :( Somebody knows a german online supplier for such a tray? I really want a button tray :)

modhomeecteacher (author) in reply to wupmeApr 30, 2009. 6:34 AM

Now do I have to come over there and take you around to Goodwill stores? Ha. I didn't even know what I was going to do with it when I bought it. I was on one of my binges buying up teak trays, all sizes one week at Goodwill. Just keep your eyes open. I saw one similar (way overpriced) at Target. What do you call those drillbits? Hey, if I find a tray, I'll contact you to see if you want it.

wupme in reply to modhomeecteacherMay 1, 2009. 7:50 AM

Those things are called "hole saw" or "core drill" The last one is usually used for the real big ones (1 feet in diameter and more). The first ones usually come in a set where you got a big base with the drill in it, and then you add the saw of the size you need. But you can also get those "one size" ones, like the one in your pictures. The one size ones are usually for a special purpose, like for mounting plugs and switches into the wall where you only need one size. And they are stronges, yo you can use them on concrete and stuff. The changable size ones are usually for softer Material like wood or plexi.