The idea of button bracelets can take your mind to a scary craft place, right? Not if the bracelets – or necklaces, brooches, earrings, and watchbands – come from Grandmother’s Buttons, a Louisiana landmark.
Here, jewelry made from antique or replica buttons has a sparkling vintage style that’ll work with everything from jeans to cocktail dresses. Founder Susan Davis really did start with her grandmother’s jet and pearl button collection in 1985. Today, her designs are sold in museums and boutiques and on the web. The company’s destination retail base, in the Historic District of St. Francisville, La., is a turn-of-the-century former bank with a button museum in the vault.
I especially like the watchbands; the intriguing Bronze Antique Button Slide Watch at $120 is the most popular style. Even better, choose from the romantic and responsible Rebuild New Orleans Jewelry collection, and a portion of sales will go to the Rebuild New Orleans Fund of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. The Fleur-de-Lis Finial Bracelet is $59.
Image: Grandmother’s Buttons