2pm at the button factory – coolest name ever!

So she has one of the coolest names ever for a business and she lives in one of the coolest places in Australia – Tasmania (because that’s where I got engaged!) but we want to know more!! I am totally in love with the WHOLE new range of vintage style glass rings, brooches and earrings from 2pm at the button factory. It’s time to meet Amanda!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself – your creative background etc

I have been creating for as long as I can remember. Be it drawing cartoons, crocheting or what you see now as a part of 2pm. I’ve never been one to sit around idly; I’m much more comfortable when working on a project.  My friends often comment that I never seem to stop working but I don’t see it as ‘work’ it’s simply something that I enjoy doing.  If I’m not working in the factory I can usually be found curled up on the corner of my couch with a crochet hook in hand.. I love being able to turn something as simple as a ball of wool into a piece of art!

What lead to you starting 2pm at the Button Factory and where did the name come from

2pm started out as my desire to create cute, handcrafted presents for birthdays and Christmas! At that point I was producing fabric button items (earrings, hair accessories etc) which turned out to be very popular and it kind of snowballed from there.

The name ‘2pm at the Button Factory’ was born when the demand for my products reached a point where I was no longer creating for friends but friends of friends and so on!  The name itself came about while brainstorming with a friend – we were looking for something memorable and unique. Something that would make you stop and think ‘What is this? I need to check this out!’

2pm has since left the world of fabric buttons behind and branched out into glass button accessories – a more sophisticated range with unlimited options in terms of designs, I am forever adding to the range!

What inspires you?

Living in Tasmania there is so much creativity going on around me that I just can’t help but be inspired! Local markets such as Niche and Apron are brimming with amazing Tasmanian creators from whom I draw a great deal of inspiration.

One of my greatest inspirations in terms of others when starting up 2pm at the Button Factory was Sophie Hill of ‘That Vintage’. Her creations are simply devine! The quality and popularity of her range and the way that her business has flourished has inspired me to put my business out there and just see what happens!

I also draw inspiration from the wonderful world of Facebook and the countless amazingly talented pages that I have come across and befriended since starting my own page.

What do you love most about your business?

I love that every day I get the opportunity to do something I enjoy.  I keep my own hours, I’m my own boss and most of all; I get to do something I love!  I wouldn’t trade this job for anything.

I love walking down the street and seeing someone I’ve never met wearing something that I created. The feeling of joy and accomplishment is indescribable.

What are some of your own favourite products/creations and why?

I have so many favourite products I’m not sure where to start!

My Black Bird Ring is one of the newest products in my range and I just love it. It’s simple, classy and yet still quite unique. It adorns my hand most days (with the matching earrings of course lol).

I guess I’m one who follows trends, even if I am usually a little bit behind – This is how I came to create my Owl Earrings. This little guy has such personality there was no question that he would be included in almost every product range!

I’m a big reader; I think that was my main inspiration behind the entire bookmark range. I wanted to be able to tie my love of reading into 2pm and thus, the bookmark range was born.  I adore the Chandelier bookmark in particular; I just think it’s such a gorgeous image.

While I was never much of a brooch wearer in the past, I have had quite a few requests to add brooches to my range and recently, I did just that. My 3D Swallow brooch has found its way onto several different outfits and has converted me into a brooch lover which is why I add it here as one of my favourite creations.