AllegriabyLeslie

Everyone loves to find a treasure!

The jewelry you wear should make you feel unique, happy, empowered and reflect your authenticity. That is my intention as I design and curate my collection for you

My Etsy shop is new, but I’ve been handcrafting jewelry for over 25 years and my love of jewelry began way before that…

When I was a child, my grandmother had several large wooden boxes filled with sparkly costume jewelry that spanned decades of collecting. Barely through the front door, I would make a beeline for her bedroom to rummage through what I called her “treasure chests.” I sorted her bracelets, necklaces and clip-on earrings and tried on different combinations until I found my favorites.

Never mind that the bracelets were too big, the necklaces too long, the clip-on earrings pinched my ears and nothing matched – when I looked in the mirror I felt like a princess!
I learned, at the age of 7, that jewelry is a powerful tool in making me feel unique, beautiful and happy. I was hooked!

My passion (obsession?) is beads – new, vintage, sophisticated, sparkly, romantic, unusual, ethnic or playful – they all have their place. I’m fascinated by the mysterious past of cool vintage finds and the fashion and lifestyles of the 1920s – 1970s. I love using elements from these periods to both honor and recreate history as I pass my treasures on to you.

I often combine the old with the new for unique and trendy pieces that are inspired by cultures across the globe. Many of these pieces are one of a kind due to the scarcity of the components so you know you'll stand out from the crowd. What a great way for you to experience the vibe of different decades and connect with a forgotten era in a brand new way! You can find these designs in the Modern Vintage collections.

Other pieces are designed without vintage elements and use Czech glass, ethnic beads, stones and unusual focals. I put a lot of thought and time into all my designs so you can be sure that I focus on detail, quality and craftsmanship. I include an anti-tarnish square or bag and a polishing cloth with every order so that you can prevent discoloration and tarnishing of brass, copper and other metals and keep your jewelry looking fabulous.

I'll always give you as much of the backstory on my jewelry as possible because that’s part of the fun! My styles are always evolving and I welcome your questions and your ideas for custom pieces. I hope you enjoy browsing through Allegria and find something in my shop that allows you to express your individuality, perhaps preserve a piece of history and bring you many moments of joy!

Happy Treasure Hunting!
Leslie