It’s been exciting to watch the VintageStyle Jewelry special issue take shape. Looking at how our contributors create vintage-looking jewelry and find new uses for vintage components got me thinking about a few of the older pieces sitting in my own jewelry box. I have a several pins that my mom gave me that were hers in the 1950s, when she was a little girl. My favorite is this pink and white flower pin.
I don’t usually wear pins, so this piece rarely leaves my jewelry box. Now I’m inspired to change that. I’d like to leave the pin intact, but showcase it a necklace. So far, I’ve encountered a few challenges that make my designs something short of stylish. The easiest solution would be to attach the pin to a choker-length ribbon or band of beads, but that looks a little too Victorian for this pin. Anything longer than choker-length, and the pin flops forward.
So, how do I create a necklace that incorporates the style of the 1950s in a design that will accommodate the weight and integrity of the pin? I plan to bead a small platform for the pin to sit on, and incorporate this base into a necklace that will complement the airy nature of the filigree. If anyone has taken on a similar project, I’d love to see what you’ve done!