This is a selection of buttons that were sewn onto card strips by home-workers in Dowlais and Merthyr Tydfil in the South Wales Valleys. The manufacturing industry was a key part of the lives of the people. Many women who were at home and bringing up children would often take on extra work to support the family income. The button factory was located at Goat Mill Road in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil (Welsh Products Ltd). Many of the artists had personal links with the Industry, having relatives who worked at the factory or were home-workers.