GRANDMOTHER'S BUTTONS

Almost two decades have passed since Susan Davis and her 95-year-old grandmother spent the afternoon sifting through the odd assortment of tins and boxes that held the elderly lady's lifetime accumulation of buttons. The treasures they uncovered -- dazzling jet glass, lustrous carved pearl, intriguing brass storybook buttons -- begged to be converted into elegant jewelry rather than forgotten in musty tins. Thus, Grandmother's Buttons was born in 1985.Grandmother's Buttons' authentic antique button jewelry was a huge hit and in the early nineties, the company expanded to form GB Collection, which produces replica button jewelry, as well as accessories and collectibles -- all inspired by these tiny fasteners of the past. The creations of both Grandmother's Buttons and GB Collection are sold in more than a thousand boutiques and museum stores across the country, an impressive list which included Lord & Taylor; Fred Segal; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Nordstrom; the Biltmore Estate; Signals; Orvis; J. Jill; and Norm Thompson. The company has also been featured in a host of publications including Victoria, Family Circle, Southern Living, Country Home and Modern Bride.Amidst all of its success, the company has retained its home base in its beautiful, turn-of-the-century bank building in St. Francisville, Louisiana's historic district. The retail store, set in the bank's lovely, oak-paneled lobby, features a mind-boggling selection of jewelry made from exquisite 19th century buttons, as well as fine antiques, Victoriana and rare and whimsical gifts.In the old bank vault, guests are invited to discover hundreds more buttons in our fascinating Button Museum. This historical gallery features all forms of the antique fasteners, from a hand-chased brass button made exclusively for George Washington's first inaugural, to the wildly imaginative Bakelite buttons of the 1930's.Historic St. Francisville -- one of Louisiana's prime tourist destinations -- is located on U.S. Hwy 61, less than an hour from Baton Rouge and Natchez, MS. Set in the gently rolling Tunica Hills, this small town is home to several of the South's most renowned plantation homes and bed and breakfasts.Grandmother's Buttons is located at the corner of Royal and Prosperity streets, in the heart of the Historic District.