A Passion for Collecting Becomes a Passion for Creating
I have fond memories of rooting around in my mother's jewelry box as a child. It was all costume jewelry from the 50's and 60's and I liked holding it and examining how it was made and of course seeing her wear it! My mother could ACCESSORIZE!
I started collecting vintage jewelry in my teens and after retiring from my full-time job several years ago, on one of those "it sounded like a good idea at the time" cleaning jags, went through my vast collection. I still liked holding the pieces and examining the detail and craftsmanship used in making them but I didn't wear any of it and hadn't for a long time. The jewelry was fragile or not in style or uncomfortable (they're called 'chokers' for a reason) or, let's be honest, just too tacky!
So I took some broken vintage necklaces I had and reassembled the chains and beads into a long, light, slip over the head necklace I did wear. And when I wore it, people asked me where I got it and when I told them I made it, they asked if I could make them one and so on and so forth until threepeats Jewelry NYC was born. Since I was already a shopper on etsy (no, not for more vintage jewelry), it made sense to set up shop there.
My work keeps evolving. I have discovered other recycled materials to use such as
t-shirt yarn, handmade felt beads and sari silk ribbon. I LOVE making unique necklaces (and now earrings too) that recycle unusual and well-made materials into jewelry that is affordable, easy-to-wear and eco-friendly.
I especially love working with people on custom orders - making pieces with the materials I have on hand that bring their vision of what they want to wear (or give as a gift) to life.