Perhaps it was inevitable that Elaine-Sarah Comerford would be drawn to the world of jewellery design and production, given that she grew up the youngest child in a creative family.
Her father, Andy, was an important influence on her from an early age. An electrician by trade, he had a passion for leatherwork and encouraged his children to involve themselves in artistic projects.
Comerford remembers her four older brothers and sisters constantly cutting up and refashioning their clothes, adding patches and lace to lend them their own individual look. Last year, father and daughter collaborated on a beautiful leather presentation case with silver clasps, and it was while rooting around in her mother’s sewing box that Comerford was first attracted to the shiny buttons that lay among the spools of thread, scraps of fabric, needles and pins, which influence her distinctive range of button-inspired jewellery.
Comerford initially trained as a goldsmith and jewellery designer with the Craft Council of Ireland, under the tuition of award-winning jewellery designer Jane Huston. On graduation, she approached the Enterprise Board and set up her own business with the assistance of her fiance, Mark.
The couple designed their own home in Waterford, with a workshop and gallery. She has focused her collection around a sterling silver bracelet, adorned initially with one beautiful button. Additional limited-edition buttons can be added to mark an occasion such as a birthday, anniversary or first child.
Following Comerford’s appearance on RTÉs Dragons’ Den, filmed last January, entrepreneur Niall O’Farrell, the man behind the phenomenal success story that is Black Tie, acquired a 35 per cent stake in the business. See www.buttonmemories.com for details.
This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times
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