Evocative assemblage jewellery
Assemblages are pieces of jewellery composed of multiple elements, often old: sections of broken necklaces or chains, clasps, buckles, single earrings, buttons. I have a few that I wear to zhuzh the simplest top and trousers.
I had fun dressing today's windows with assemblages that sing. Too many look incoherent, so I set high standards for us as I trekked about. (Prices are in $CDN and do not include shipping or applicable tax and duty.)
The best incorporate antique or vintage elements. Some mix costume and noble materials; I look for a good shot of 'real', or the superior synthetics of retro pieces. An assemblage shouldn't be cheap; the maker has to source elements, integrate eras and materials, and finish it neatly and professionally.
I looked at a lot of assemblage jewellery for this post; some of it is messy and unfocused, a grab bag of elements that were never that good. The top tier, though, is the opposite, imbued with a one-of-a-kind charm and mystery.
Pendant
When I hear "assemblage" I think of a big piece, but that's not always the case. An assemblage can repurpose a single vintage element or more.
From TheEdenCollectivee (Etsy); price, $CDN 207.
From AlterediiArchaeology (Etsy) , who provide examples of the artful redesign of old ethnic/tribal elements
To scout your own assemblages on Etsy, search "assemblage", "upcycled" or "repurposed" + "necklace", "pendant", "bracelet"or "earrings". If you like the aesthetic, search "steampunk", which incorporates watch parts and industrial elements. The patina of wear is witness to its story, but avoid damaged stones (whether real or imitation) with visible chips or cracks; they weaken the construction.
Listen as you put on a memento from another era; it will murmur, "I'm yours, now."
I had fun dressing today's windows with assemblages that sing. Too many look incoherent, so I set high standards for us as I trekked about. (Prices are in $CDN and do not include shipping or applicable tax and duty.)
The best incorporate antique or vintage elements. Some mix costume and noble materials; I look for a good shot of 'real', or the superior synthetics of retro pieces. An assemblage shouldn't be cheap; the maker has to source elements, integrate eras and materials, and finish it neatly and professionally.
I looked at a lot of assemblage jewellery for this post; some of it is messy and unfocused, a grab bag of elements that were never that good. The top tier, though, is the opposite, imbued with a one-of-a-kind charm and mystery.
Pendant
When I hear "assemblage" I think of a big piece, but that's not always the case. An assemblage can repurpose a single vintage element or more.
I absolutely love this mismatched pair, a blue enamel flower and diamond shamrock earrings, made from two elements from antique brooches:
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| Photo: TheEdenCollective |
From TheEdenCollectivee (Etsy); price, $CDN 207.
Necklaces
An Etsy maker, Riley Lord of IrishTreasure, creates fascinating 'story' necklaces, using antique and vintage elements collected from travels, and years of living in Paris. From romantic to ethnic, she ranges among eras and moods with assurance and verve, and you'll enjoy her descriptions.
Two of my favourites; click the links to see more views.
Left: A vintage French rabbit carved in horn, with hand-carved beads ca. 1800s, and vintage Murano glass; price, $304.
Right: An antique gold-plated lorgnette (in perfect condition), with mint green and blue accent beads—a piece to wear to the theatre eventually and to read a good book now. Price, $351.
Ms Lord's artist statement is as evocative as her jewellery; here's a wholly original designer.
An Etsy maker, Riley Lord of IrishTreasure, creates fascinating 'story' necklaces, using antique and vintage elements collected from travels, and years of living in Paris. From romantic to ethnic, she ranges among eras and moods with assurance and verve, and you'll enjoy her descriptions.
Two of my favourites; click the links to see more views.
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| Photos: IrishTreasures |
Left: A vintage French rabbit carved in horn, with hand-carved beads ca. 1800s, and vintage Murano glass; price, $304.
Right: An antique gold-plated lorgnette (in perfect condition), with mint green and blue accent beads—a piece to wear to the theatre eventually and to read a good book now. Price, $351.
Ms Lord's artist statement is as evocative as her jewellery; here's a wholly original designer.
Baubles for your besties
You can pick up some charming assemblages for a song, as pendants. They make delightful gifts, especially when the theme relates to the recipient.
The gardener girlfriend:
You can pick up some charming assemblages for a song, as pendants. They make delightful gifts, especially when the theme relates to the recipient.
The gardener girlfriend:
A pendant composed from a vintage Victorian rose button and '50s paste bow on a silver chain, pretty with a white shirt. From originalnoell; price, about $CDN 30. Originalnoel makes delicate pieces that are whimsical and well-priced.
The traveller:
This 7 1/2-inch bracelet features vintage souvenir spoons and lively glass beads, attached to a recycled chain. It's made by VintyUpCycles; the price is $42, and the seller ships free to Canada and the US.
Your tea-granny girlfriend:
A whimsical pendant made from an antique floral button, crystal bead, freshwater pearl, and capped with a teapot, from Etsy seller TimelessTrinkets; price, $39. If you like antique buttons, visit this site to see many designs made with elegant buttons over a hundred years old.
This 7 1/2-inch bracelet features vintage souvenir spoons and lively glass beads, attached to a recycled chain. It's made by VintyUpCycles; the price is $42, and the seller ships free to Canada and the US.
Your tea-granny girlfriend:
A whimsical pendant made from an antique floral button, crystal bead, freshwater pearl, and capped with a teapot, from Etsy seller TimelessTrinkets; price, $39. If you like antique buttons, visit this site to see many designs made with elegant buttons over a hundred years old.
Finale: Fey and French
Not for everyone, but I kept coming back to this assemblage necklace featuring an antique French doll's purse, hanging from a 1920's carved wood moth and many other antique and vintage beads. Price, $CDN 245.
From AlterediiArchaeology (Etsy) , who provide examples of the artful redesign of old ethnic/tribal elements
To scout your own assemblages on Etsy, search "assemblage", "upcycled" or "repurposed" + "necklace", "pendant", "bracelet"or "earrings". If you like the aesthetic, search "steampunk", which incorporates watch parts and industrial elements. The patina of wear is witness to its story, but avoid damaged stones (whether real or imitation) with visible chips or cracks; they weaken the construction.
Listen as you put on a memento from another era; it will murmur, "I'm yours, now."
Comments
Leslie M: It still takes a lot of time, especially with repurposed or upcycled pieces, but I take it as a bit of a personal mission to find interesting or especially good design. The PP pearls on Etsy are, by their own admission, inexpensive and ideal for craft projects. Now that I'm in semi-lockdown I have the time to look. Like you I especially like woman-owned ventures.
The other pieces are not really my style, and so I would not actually wear them. But I can appreciate the imagination and workmanship that's in them - so pretty and, of course, unique.
Once again, you have opened up a window on something that many of us had not thought about before. Thank you!
Jane in London
and i need to point out what a great name she has for the work she's doing!