This week we are going to talk about my FAVORITE 2011 jewelry trend-Vintage & Retro. This trend seems to me to be a splitting off from the Steampunk trend. It has all the characteristics of Victorian era jewelry without the alternate futuristic reality theme of Steampunk. Continuing, though, is the era’s steam engine influences, reflected in the use of all colors of metals especially copper, brass and black (wrought iron).
In this Vintage-Retro trend you will find echos of the wonderful Victorian romanticism approach to jewelry making. The use of pearls, glass & crystal beads, filigree brass metal components, porcelain, feathers, embroidery, lace & ribbons dominates the jewelry. Less expensive gemstones as well as antiqued silver, bronze & gold will be used, usually mixing these different colors of metals in one piece of jewelry.
Keeping in mind that the layering of chains is so popular this season, I designed a layering effect with this necklace. I also capitalized on the filigree effect & antiqued brass metals by using Victorian era reproductions that look absolutely exquisite in this necklace. I created soft, delicate flowers in my glass lampwork beads that compliment the intricate antiqued brass findings.
What are Reproduction Victorian Era findings?
Manufactures have been finding and buying antique, original finding molds that have stored in old warehouses. Long forgotten and discarded, these molds are being given a new leash on life. Jewelry designers, today, are enjoying incorporating this magnificent findings into their designs. Most of these molds were created a hundred or more years ago. The workmanship is amazing and knowing people in the Victorian Era wore the exact finding in their jewelry is mind boggling!
This jewelry trend is definitely feminine with colors favoring softer tones like pinks, lavender, beige, gray green. All this being said, I do think it is very important to keep this jewelry trend updated by melding our modern lifestyle qualities and not become too sugary romantic as the Victorians.
With this bracelet I am using the beautiful reproduction antiqued brass components (that I absolutely adore!) with my floral glass lampwork beads. I think the smooth, disk shape glass beads give a wonderful contrast to the lovely intricate details of the brass filigree findings. Notice my 2 vintage iridescent faceted glass beads… (I talk about my vintage beads later in this blog.)
Hot in this Vintage trend will be brooches, jewelry in the hair, chandelier earrings and pendants with pictures (the Victorians favored lockets) and lots of pearls and metal chains. I will have to do some brainstorming to include my lampwork beads in brooches and hair adornments but I find it a wonderful challenge to attempt.
This necklace is simple yet very elegant. I used one of my floral bouquets lampwork beads as the focal, another fantastic antiqued brass Victorian reproduction filigree finding and brass chain. I think this is a versatile piece of jewelry that can be used for evening wear as well as fit nicely into our modern lifestyle of blue jeans.
Now, as for the Retro part of this trend, I have started including old vintage beads into my jewelry from my jewelry stash that I have been collecting for years. I love old jewelry, most of it was broken here and there, but beautiful and unresistable to me. (Of course my husband thought I had a screw loose at the time but then again, he did know I was an artist when he married me!) Anyway, my stash is from all decades and styles, from the 30’s through 80’s.
And finally (vintage) components and jewelry is Hot! (See Dennis, I told you so… I’m just thankful I have lived long enough to use my stash and I don’t have to eat my words!) There is a store in Los Angeles that sells this type of jewelry and is all the rage! But I think it is even more fun to creatively new designs with these gorgeous components and give them new life in my jewelry.
So there you have it, my favorite trend of the 2011! What’s yours so far?
My inspiration for this blog came from Become Gorgeous
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Wow Patsy those look great! I could see some of those Junior Leaguers going for these! and the SoCo hippies on Congress!
Wow Patsy those look great! I could see some of those Junior Leaguers going for these! and the SoCo hippies on Congress!
Wow Patsy! These pieces are all gorgeous. I especially love the necklaces – I love all the layering with your stunning beads in the top one! And your floral bouquet beads….I simply don’t have the words. I’ve just posted about our swap!
Wow Patsy! These pieces are all gorgeous. I especially love the necklaces – I love all the layering with your stunning beads in the top one! And your floral bouquet beads….I simply don’t have the words. I’ve just posted about our swap!