Vintage Renewal

You get to a certain age and you notice a familiarity to some things.  Kind of a delayed deja vu.  Then it hits you--Vintage is back in style.  The jewelry your grandmother wore, that you swore you wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole, now feels warm, fuzzy & comforting.

You might be wondering what to do with the necklace that belonged to your great aunt.  It has a lot of sentimental value, but the style is not quite right.  Take it apart, re-design it, add or remove some elements so it's still your great aunt's, but it's also "you."  Consider these ideas:

• Make it longer
  
• Make it shorter
  
• Add more strands
  
• Remove strands
  
• Add newer beads
  
• Remove some beads
  
• Add chain
  
• Add a focal piece
  
• Use new findings
  
• Update the color palette (especially easy with crystals and pearls)
  

One thing your grandmother didn't have--internet!  Pinterest is great for creating a spark when you're stuck for ideas.  These images of vintage and re-purposed vintage show how you can re-make something that preserves the vintage look, or use the beads to create a very modern design.

What are some things you've done with the family treasures?  Send pictures or comments, because we're all about show & tell!

Decorative beadwork popular in the 1880s and 1890s.

Vintage dress, 1920s with art deco front detail

Grandmother's vintage buttons made into a bracelet to celebrate her life and love of sewing for her grandchildren. Vintage buttons, beads and brass all dug out of Grandmother's box of buttons.

Vintage Inspired Necklace

Grandma's Treasures Necklace

Vintage beads necklace

1920s evening dress

Vintage beads bracelet

Ceramic button from Kim's grandmother's button box, used as the focal piece in this beaded button broach