Glass Buttons (Czech)

Etelage values the contribution of the Bohemian artisans of last centuries. The history and heritage of the master glass artists and metal workers is almost gone. Old moulds, all handmade by metal engravers are used today with new glass to create gorgeous reproduction buttons some of which are hand painted using various colours and finishes including iris, AB and silver and gold. The glass maker uses the molds by attaching it to a pair of pliers, which is then bolted to the workbench next to the furnace of molten glass. The artist then handpresses each button by hand, one at a time to create unique pieces of art. After the buttons have been pressed and cleaned, they are painted or washed then baked to keep the finish from peeling off. Each finish gives a different look to the same button. Some buttons have a metal shank attached to the back, and some are molded with a glass shank. The metal shanks are an older design, invented many years before the single mold of glass with the shank included was made.

Ceramic Buttons (Africa)

Purchased from a community fair trade project and mostly designed by Christine Smalley the solid clay buttons are all uniquely handmade. The pottery workshop was established in 1975 and continues to give hope, dignity and opportunity to over 200 women who are employed full time in the design and manufacture of uniquely painted clay buttons, beads and jewellery.

Nut Buttons (South America)

Deep in the Amazon Rainforest grows the Ivory Palm. Using rainforest seeds to create jewellery provides an additional economic incentive to save the tropical jungles from deforestation.

The purchase of this product supports the employment of the native community and helps stabilise the rainforest and ultimately the world environments.