Artisan Made
By Hand
Wearable Art
Jewelry is perhaps the largest category of handmade wares, with artisans crafting pieces out of everything from recycled, found objects to precious metals and gems. Styles range from vintage looks to simple, understated modern designs. Whatever your budget, there are affordable pieces to fit anyone’s taste – whether it’s a gift for someone else or for yourself. Grandmother’s Buttons, St. Francisville, LA
Susan Davis; Grandmother’s Buttons green jewelry pieces.
After a visit to her grandmother’s home in 1985 and finding boxes of vintage buttons, Susan Davis was inspired to turn those pretty buttons into earrings and other jewelry ... and, Grandmother’s Buttons was born. Susan began her business by selling at craft fairs and antique shows. The business has grown, but Grandmother’s Buttons jewelry is still handmade by Susan and her team of talented women who help design and create the pieces. Susan now sources her buttons from New Orleans to Paris and from New York to Shanghai. She has also authored a book on button jewelrymaking, Beautiful Button Jewelry.
Dunitz & Company, Los Angeles, CA
Nancy Dunitz and her Guatemalan beading artisans; Dunitz & Company beaded earrings.
Following her dream of designing beautiful things made in a third-world country, Nancy Dunitz founded Dunitz & Company in 1989 and chose Guatemala as her hand-making base. Although she started with the idea of creating home accents, Nancy discovered a beadwork artisan who sparked the concept for the beaded jewelry designs for which her company has become known. Nancy works closely with her Guatemala-based design team to create all the pieces in her collection, which features trend-forward fashion colors and now also includes fused glass and embroidery. Fall 2016 PRESENT • 7