Hi! My name is Melissa and welcome to Buttonwood Shire! Buttonwood Shire was born out of a desire to slow down and engage more personally with everyday life. During the pandemic, I moved back home and began working on my computer full time. Long hours on the computer, followed by boring evenings filled with scrolling my phone, led to technology exhaustion. I began to feel frustrated and overwhelmed by technology and constant notifications, and the expectation to be responsive 24/7. I started reading more as an escape. I spent a lot of time reading science fiction and fantasy. I loved so many of the fantasy worlds that I read about in the books, most of which depicted fantastical worlds set in a medieval European style time. The people in these worlds did not have the modern technology such as cell phones and laptops, industrialization had not yet happened. Although the fantasy stories I read often depicted struggles and hardships (and monsters of course), they also showed a different way of life; a type of life similar in some ways to that of our ancestors. Although I am extremely grateful for the technology of today and all that it does for us (after all, I wouldn't have this website if not for the internet!), I think there is much to be said about slowing down in life and enjoying the little things. With the rise of industrialization, so many artisan crafts have come to be made by machines. And while that is helpful for a growing world, it can take the personality out of the material goods we own. My hope with Buttonwood Shire, is to bring back artisan goods into the home, and to provide people with a sense of connection to craft and the world around them. My goods are made by hand and with care. I want to bring awareness to the need for a return of handmade items and craft, as it can bring a sense of connectedness and wholeness. I hope my crafts will remind people to pause and slow down in life and just enjoy the beautiful world around them. My products are made from natural materials. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have and I hope you find a sense of peace and enjoyment from my products.