Gemma Skully, Button Box Memories
Tell us about yourself?
Once upon a time there was a dressmaker’s daughter and she lived in the magical northern land of Manchester. As her mother sewed all day she would sit surrounded by ribbons, silk off cuts, lace trimmings and an old chocolate tin full of buttons. Now the button tin was her favourite toy she would sit for hours digging her hands into the sea of buttons to see what treasure she could find.
As she grew up Gemma saw that numbers were ok, words were fine but creating, drawing, painting and making was everything. So she packed her bags and left Manchester to study at Art School for a BA hons in jewellery and metalwork. Here she learnt how to hand make accessories that people would exchange magic beans for. Having completed her degree she created Button Box Memories a company designing, making and selling jewellery using all of her favourite childhood treasures, a dream come true from which she hopes to live happily ever after.
Your chosen picture inspires you, tell us why?
Inspiration is a funny thing. So many simple images and items strike me and drives my work forward without any obvious influence on the design. So I picked an image of a place that inspires me. Large scale architecture and past civilisations such as Masada, Ephesus and Machu Picchu are incredible. Clear examples of what teams of humanity can achieve with very little tools but with motivation, creativity and a need to build something better.
Out of the three I choose Machu Picchu as it’s my photograph. It hangs in my workshop. A couple of years ago I completed the Inca Trail, a four day trek to reach the sun gate, where the picture was taken. It was at times rough going, I wanted to curl up on the path and say “just leave me here I’ll be fine”. But I didn’t, I completed the climb.
This image also reminds me of what I am capable of when I set my mind to a task and what I would have never experienced if I had surrendered. In this economic climate we all need a reminder of that.
What possession do you most cherish?
Instantly I think of relationships and friendships but I don’t believe you can possess them. So in a material world I like all of my things but could live without most. My laptop is the item I use the most and it holds so much of my life, my business and all its paperwork, all music and photographs. However, with it all backed up, my laptop could be replaced if necessary and therefore I don’t feel I cherish it.
Anyone that knows me knows I lose everything and take little care over most things, but I do have a couple of irreplaceable items that I would mourn the loss of. My photograph albums from the pre digital camera era, my 24 ct gold, diamond Eternity ring (which was a gift from my grandma which was given it by her husband my granddad). Though I don’t like diamonds and it’s not my style, I love it for its sentimental value, a clear testament to their relationship. These are two things I do cherish and would hate to live without.
Tell us about the product you’ve chosen in the photograph, why is it your absolute favourite?
Eek! This was a little hard I have thousands of buttons and lots of silk thread meaning I have a huge product range. In short I bailed from picking one product and chose an image that shows a collection of the work I make. I love each pair in it. I like the texture of the wooden apples and the fact the threads don’t match.
The red hearts are one of the first pairs I started to make and they are so retro\kitsch they make me smile. The flowers are cute and the butterflies in the background are one of my latest designs which I’m really happy with. However if I had to pick just one pair it would be the wooden buttons with the floral print at the bottom left. They are very vintage tea party, good colours, nice texture in the wood and to me just sumptuous.
What should we expect to see from you in the coming years?
Ooooh world domination for sure! My next challenge is to build the first Princess and Prince charming made entirely from buttons, I’m going to send them to button moon to live with Mr and Mrs Spoon and make button babies.
No, more of the same is the simple honest answer. Quirky, retro, kitsch jewellery, inspired by haberdasheries, all handmade but affordable. Looking to Christmas I have some beautiful buttons that I am currently working with, that fingers crossed should make some awesome designs. So keep visiting button box memories!
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