Exploring Life & Business with Melanie Butler of Bead and Bones

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Butler.

Hi Melanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Starting Bead and Bones jewelry was quite literally a matter of survival. Straight out of college, my first three bosses were a coke addict, a sexual predator, and complete dudebro. The last one had me puking in a stairwell with a never-ending panic attack that ended in the psych ward… and that was just my first day! Turns out I had a pretty severe undiagnosed anxiety disorder and they told me it would take a lot of time and patience to recover— the kind of time and patience a regular 9-5 does not accommodate. For someone like me, that honestly felt like a death sentence. It was like suddenly telling me I had no purpose in life. I can still remember the existential crisis that soon followed. Constant battles with anxiety meant I had to find something else to do with my nervous mind and fingers. Quickly, I rediscovered my lifelong obsession with jewelry. Surrounded with ever mounting piles of necklaces and absolutely zero friends, the clear and obvious choice was to start a business so I could have something new to stress over! Never in a million years did I think it would lead to finding the most phenomenal, enthusiastic, and encouraging supporters in the entire world. For five years, my amazing audience has helped me turn what started as simple beads and bones into sterling silver jewelry that is constantly sold out. Without their support I honestly would not be here.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As smooth as the Road of Death in Bolivia! In all seriousness, absolutely not. I’ll be honest, there was a massive learning curve and a lot of up front expense. My smithing is completely self-taught and has involved plenty of trial and error. But aside from that the single most soul crushing experience along the way has been dealing with extreme jealousy. I know everyone talks about The Haters but what you don’t expect is for them to be your friends. Your neighbors. Your mentors. Even family. People you genuinely looked up to. For somebody who battles with anxiety, figuring out what a real support system looks like has been a struggle. I have an amazing boyfriend and a great online community, but I find myself without a guide most of the time. I guess that’s what being an adult really is.

We’ve been impressed with Bead and Bones, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I call myself an artist first and a silversmith second. My formal background is in Graphic Design, Printmaking, and Art History. I was a professional Graphic Designer for well over a decade before making my departure into jewelry. I taught myself smithing using books, online resources, and hands-on experience. One of the largest hurdles for any silversmith is creating a unique and identifiable artistic voice. It was when I returned to my traditional printmaking roots that I really began to mature as an artist. I combine lithography techniques, a profound love for nature, an avid interest in history, and smithing skills to create my signature style. Today I specialize in rollerball necklaces for essential oils, keepsakes, and perfumes— a type of vessel inspired by Victorian era Chatelaines.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Join my coven. No really— I have an email list lovingly called The Coven! Anyone who is interested in obtaining a piece of my work will definitely want to join because my work sells out very quickly. I am not like normal shops. My store is persistently empty between collections and each piece is a one of a kind work of art. No big machines. No manufacturing. No mass production. Members are notified when new collections drop so they always receive first access. It’s important that my audience feels included in the process so be sure to look for me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook! Every like, comment, share, email, and message means the entire world. My supporters are an integral part of this success story and there’s nothing I love more than hearing from you. I’m just a regular person sharing my love of art.

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@beadandbones.com
• Website: www.beadandbones.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/beadandbones
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/beadandbones
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCFPQAI1Nh4bIyRIktwhxAzA
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@beadandbones