Overview

Dimis are the smallest of buttons. As per the NBS Blue Book, dimis are buttons up to 3/8". I will tell you from experience that these are hard to make, especially in enamel because they are difficult to stilt in the kiln so that they fire properly.

These little treasures do not have a specific call out in my book, but these two are so unusual I show them here. Note that enamel dimis in general are not abundant, but are not hard to find, although Div I dimis are more unusual but not considered rare. Today, Diane Almeyda, Janet White and myself all make enamel dimis in both silver and copper.

 

This tiny beauty is only 3/16" which is amazing they got so much detail into it.

It's tiny, but not the smallest you can buy. Diane Almeyda sells 2mm enameled dimis, some with an OME of a silver ball. These are all shank buttons but you need a #10 beading needle or 30 ga wire to go through the shank.

This Ginbari and Cloisonne dimi is only 5/16"! So much detail. Remember that in general, Ginbari is an embossed foil technique and thus the design is outdented. In this one you see the dots are both outdented and indented. This sometimes happens when fusing the foil to the field enamel. More about this is under techniques.

 

 

last updated
03/05/2026


 

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