Four Generations of Love and Legacy: The Heritage Behind Our Button Jewelry

At Carolily, every piece of jewelry we create tells a story, and some of the most cherished pieces are the ones that hold personal and historical significance. Our handcrafted designs aren’t just about aesthetics—they are infused with memories, history, and a deep-rooted love passed down through four generations of women. This is the story of how my grandmother’s button collection became one of the most meaningful parts of our jewelry, including the necklace you see here, made in 2015 from vintage buttons that have been in our family for decades.

Button Jewelry Rooted in Heritage

The buttons you see on this necklace aren’t just any buttons. They are from my Grandma Carol’s vast collection, a collection that began when she worked on the coronation gown for Queen Elizabeth II. My grandmother, Carol, was a gifted seamstress—her nimble fingers could stitch magic into fabric, and her eye for design was impeccable. Growing up in England, Carol lived a life of grace and elegance, always in white gloves, with a smart hat and a purse to match. But more than her poise, it was her creativity and heart that left a lasting legacy.

My grandma didn’t just work on any ordinary sewing projects; she played a small but significant role in history by contributing her talent to the Queen’s coronation gown. And while that story alone would have been enough to make her legendary in our family, she also collected buttons—beautiful, intricate buttons from all over the world. These buttons became treasures, each with a story of its own, a memory of a place, or a symbol of a significant moment in her life.

From Button Box to Heirloom Jewelry

Mom remembers being a child, running her fingers through the button box, mesmerized by the colors, the textures, and the sheer variety of each button. It was like a little treasure chest of her life’s work, each button holding a different memory. When we started Carolily in 2015, we wanted to honor this legacy, and we decided to incorporate some of her most beautiful buttons into our first jewelry design.

One of the very first necklaces we made (the one you see in the photo) was created using Grandma Carol’s vintage buttons. It was such a joyful experience to bring these buttons out of the sewing box and into the light, to give them new life in a way that connects with who we are as a brand and as a family. To this day, those original button necklaces are some of my favorite pieces because they represent not only our family’s journey but also the craftsmanship and love that spans four generations of women. 

Our Family's Legacy in Every Piece

We are proud to be a multi-generational business. My mother Donna is our design visionary, with an eye for creating stunning pieces that empower women to feel confident and elegant. My grandmother’s creativity, her attention to detail, and her ability to find beauty in the smallest of things—like a delicate button—are the inspiration behind everything we do.

When you wear a Carolily piece, you’re not just wearing a piece of jewelry; you’re wearing a piece of our family’s legacy. The buttons represent resilience, creativity, and love, passed down from my grandmother Carol, to my mother Donna, and now to me. And when you wear them, you become part of this story too.

A Celebration of Women Through Time

I think that’s one of the reasons our jewelry resonates with so many women—because it’s made with love, it carries the essence of women who have lived with grace, strength, and creativity. My grandma Carol’s buttons were part of her life’s work as a seamstress, just as our jewelry is part of my mother’s and my life’s work. Each woman brings her own uniqueness to the table, and each woman leaves her own mark.

This holiday season, as you browse our collection, think of the stories behind the designs. Think of the women—like my grandmother—who left a legacy of love, craftsmanship, and beauty. And know that when you wear Carolily, you’re wearing more than jewelry—you’re wearing history, heritage, and heart.

Shop Our Heirloom Inspired Jewelry Today

Explore our Holiday Jewelry Bundles and become part of the Carolily legacy. Whether it’s for yourself or a loved one, our handcrafted pieces are designed to be cherished for years to come.