Purbeck New Wave Gallery: Art gallery in Swanage, Dorset
  • Welcome
  • Artists
    • Paintings >
      • Nicky Stockley
      • Ed Marriott
      • Gill Williams
      • Helen Biles
      • Juliet West
      • Gina Marshall
      • Laurie King
      • Jeneta Bird
      • Eleanor Spalding
      • Lucy Field
      • Tim Rose
      • Kimberley Day
    • Mounted prints >
      • Chantal Stracey
      • Charlie Money
      • Isobel Ross
    • Glass >
      • Briony Maple
      • Jenny Green
      • Moira Hazel
    • Jewellery >
      • Jar of clay
      • Holly Sandham
      • Bill Brightley
    • Textiles >
      • Nicky Stockley
      • Helen Biles
      • Anna McDowell
      • Laura Butt
    • Ceramics >
      • Helene Champrond
      • Holly Sandham
      • Louise Pull
      • Stephen Yates
      • Katherine Message
      • Tim Rose pottery
      • Hassan Bagharay
    • Sculpture >
      • Diana Girwood
      • John Davey
    • Woodcraft >
      • Brendan Gallagher
      • Elizabeth Mangles
  • Dorset Art Weeks 2022
  • Your choices for your home
  • Prices
  • The Isle of Purbeck Arts Club
  • How to find us and access
  • Contact us
  • Social media updates
  • News
  • Virtual Gallery Tour

Anna McDowell

Dorset Button making is a heritage craft unique to Dorset. The Dorset Buttons Industry originated in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in the 1620s, and became a major cottage industry throughout Dorset creating employment for many families. To help keep this heritage craft alive, my Dorset Buttons are worked in the traditional way but I use contemporary materials and designs.
Anna first came into contact with the Dorset Button about ten years ago whilst Chairman of Gold Hill Museum, Shaftesbury. She taught herself how to make a simple Cartwheel button, one of the four designs of the Dorset Button range. She later learnt the finer details from an experienced buttoner. There is no formal training for this craft and over the years she has developed both small bespoke buttons for garments and for unusual earrings, to large circular wall hangings. Her aim is to help to keep this tradition alive. She uses the original methods to make the Dorset Buttons working with contemporary materials. Today her inspiration comes from using textiles and yarns that are either local or produced by small independent people, ethical reclaimed sari yarns and vintage yarns, ribbon and lace. She also incorporate beads into some of her buttons.
All of the artwork for sale is owned by the artists until it is sold to the customer. The gallery is acting as an agent, selling on behalf of the artist on a sale or return basis.

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​We would love you to visit our gallery soon!

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Hours

Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 10am to 4pm

Telephone

07434814384
​email us
Picture
GDPR
  • Welcome
  • Artists
    • Paintings >
      • Nicky Stockley
      • Ed Marriott
      • Gill Williams
      • Helen Biles
      • Juliet West
      • Gina Marshall
      • Laurie King
      • Jeneta Bird
      • Eleanor Spalding
      • Lucy Field
      • Tim Rose
      • Kimberley Day
    • Mounted prints >
      • Chantal Stracey
      • Charlie Money
      • Isobel Ross
    • Glass >
      • Briony Maple
      • Jenny Green
      • Moira Hazel
    • Jewellery >
      • Jar of clay
      • Holly Sandham
      • Bill Brightley
    • Textiles >
      • Nicky Stockley
      • Helen Biles
      • Anna McDowell
      • Laura Butt
    • Ceramics >
      • Helene Champrond
      • Holly Sandham
      • Louise Pull
      • Stephen Yates
      • Katherine Message
      • Tim Rose pottery
      • Hassan Bagharay
    • Sculpture >
      • Diana Girwood
      • John Davey
    • Woodcraft >
      • Brendan Gallagher
      • Elizabeth Mangles
  • Dorset Art Weeks 2022
  • Your choices for your home
  • Prices
  • The Isle of Purbeck Arts Club
  • How to find us and access
  • Contact us
  • Social media updates
  • News
  • Virtual Gallery Tour