Button Envy

I'm suffering from a serious hit of Button Envy* thanks to Class Act, the new consignment store that has opened up next to one of my aunt's cafes here in Naples.

The store is run by the lovely Roberta Stephens, who I've gotten to know through dishing out cups of coffee and watching as she transformed this former shell of a store into an Aladdin's cave of art, furniture, jewelery and accessories.

With a background in design and retail, Roberta decided to go solo and set up her own store in Naples, Florida. "I just like collecting junk and meeting people" says Roberta as she slips a bib of brass buttons around my neck.

Most pieces in the store are consignments, (including a collection of brightly coloured acrylic paintings by local artist Dot Lingren) but Roberta makes the button bangles and bib necklaces herself, using buttons she has collected on her travels, from antique malls to flea markets and "anywhere I can find them!"

The bibs in particular are gorgeous and I love this brass one, below, with a watch face thrown into the mix, fastened with what looks like a shoelace. If only I had some dollar and some room in my suitcase, it would be mine!

Class Act Consignment is based in Trinity Plaza, 304 9th Street North, Naples, Florida.

Owner and jewelery maker, Roberta Stephens

The buttons used are a mix of old and new, from antiques to flea market finds

Lust-have: The brass buttons and small watch face certainly liven up a plain white tee.

*'Button Envy' is a termed used to describe the feeling evoked upon seeing that someone else has a better collection of buttons/button jewelery than you. The sensation can normally be quelled after making a purchase, trading buttons or taking copious amounts of photos to be used as Button Porn.