Handmade with Love: How Every Lottie Button Badge is Made

When people find out I make birthday badges for a living, the reaction is usually the same — a slightly surprised smile followed by "really?!" And honestly? I get it. It's not exactly what I imagined I'd be doing when I started Lottie Button 9 years ago. But here I am, happily making badges in my basement studio in North Yorkshire, and I genuinely wouldn't change a thing. 😊

I thought it was about time I pulled back the curtain and shared a little bit about how every Lottie Button badge actually gets made — because there's a lot more to it than you might think!

It All Started with Dresses & Skirts

Lottie Button didn't start with badges at all. When I launched the business, I was making dresses and skirts — beautiful little handmade pieces for children. I loved it, but over time I found myself drawn more and more towards the accessories side of things, and birthday badges in particular.

There was something so joyful about making something that would make a child feel completely special on their birthday. A badge they'd wear to school, that their teacher would notice, that their friends would admire. Something small but mighty. And so, gradually, birthday badges became the heart of Lottie Button — and I've never looked back!

The Home Studio (aka The Basement!)

Every single Lottie Button badge is handmade to order by me — Sarah — in my home studio in North Yorkshire. It's my little creative haven, and it's where the magic happens. ✨

Working from home means I can be there for my two daughters, Lottie (yes, that Lottie — the one the business is named after!) and Hattie. We recently relocated from Essex to North Yorkshire, purely for the joy of living near the beach. So when we're not at school or in the studio, you'll usually find us on the beach — rain, shine, or everything in between!

Handmade to Order — What Does That Actually Mean?

Every badge I make is handmade to order. This means that when you place an order, I make your badge fresh — specifically for your child, with the age and design you've chosen. Nothing sits in a warehouse. Nothing is mass produced. It's just me, my materials, and a whole lot of care going into every single order.

This is something I feel really strongly about. When you buy a Lottie Button badge, you're not getting something that was made months ago by a machine. You're getting something made by hand, by a real person, who genuinely appreciates your order more than you know.

As much of a cliché as it sounds — I really do appreciate each and every order. It's what allows me to stay at home and be there for the girls, and that means everything to me. 💛

The Badges Themselves

So what actually goes into making a badge? Each one is carefully crafted using quality fabrics and materials, finished with a safety pin back so they're easy and safe for children to wear. I pay close attention to every detail — from the fabric choice to the finishing — because I want every badge to be something your child will treasure.

We have a huge range of themes — from our bestselling star badges and football badges to trending designs like Lilo & Stitch and Lego-inspired building brick badges. And if you want something a little different? Just ask! I love a custom request. 😊

Many of our badges also have matching hair bows available — perfect for completing the birthday look from head to toe!

Why Buying Handmade Matters

In a world of next-day delivery and mass-produced everything, I think there's something really special about choosing handmade. When you buy from Lottie Button, you're supporting a real family business. You're choosing quality over quantity. And you're getting something made with genuine love and attention — not just a product off a production line.

I think children can feel that difference too. There's something about a handmade badge that just feels a little more special, a little more personal. And on a birthday — when every child deserves to feel like the most important person in the room — that matters.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Badge?

Whether you're after a classic design or something completely personalised, I'd love to make something special for your little one. Every badge is made with love, right here in North Yorkshire, just for you.

Shop all birthday badges at Lottie Button →

And if you'd like to learn more about choosing the perfect badge, head over to our Ultimate Guide to Children's Birthday Badges. You might also enjoy reading about how to design your own personalised badge or our tips on how to make your child feel extra special on their birthday!

Sarah x 🎀