Family Heirlooms

Originally from the Victorian era, lockets have been around for centuries and their uses are constantly expanding from being given as a condolence for those who have lost a loved one, to romantic gifts and keepsakes passed down into every generation.

At a trunk show last weekend, a woman became teary-eyed as she looked a my vintage locket necklaces. She told me that her mother once had a locket with her initials on it, but it was stolen. It was a one-of-a-kind heirloom that had much more sentimental value than worth. For years, this woman has been searching for her mother's locket or a special replacement. Finally, she found a one with her inital 'H'. Unfortunately, now her mother is very sick, so she hesitated to buy.

Days later a man ordered this same locket for his wife who will be delivering their first child any day now. Although the little girl's name is a secret he told me it starts with a H, so this piece spoke to him. What a sentimental gift to commemorate this special day. I imagine the proud mama showing off her baby's picture inside the locket. In turn, I picture the daughter's excitement then this family heirloom is passed down to her. Already this 1900's 'H' Locket Necklace has many stories to tell. This is what I love about vintage lockets. Check out all of the fabulous, one-of-a-kind, vintage locket necklaces by Vintage Rehab.

The Art of Filigree

For centuries, the art of filigree has been used to craft jewelry such as pins, rings and pendants, reaching the height of its popularity during the Art Deco period of the 1920's and 1930's.  At the time, this method of producing open patterns was more common than molding or casting. 

Filigree is formed using twisted threads of gold and silver to create delicate, lacy, openwork jewelry. Artists hammer malleable metal into thin filaments, then twists and bends them into intricate designs, and solders them at their overlapping junctures.  Vines, leaves, buds, waving hair, and spider webs are common motifs.  

Many ancient cultures, including Greece, Rome, Armenia, India and China used such delicately woven jewelry to celebrate marriage, birth, as well as fancy ornamentation for royalty. Antique filigree can be found in museums around the world.  

I found this 1930's sterling silver locket is from an estate sale.  The face is matte silver with a clear stone in the center. It has an ornate filigree pattern around the edge of the piece.  This 1930's Silver Filigree Locket Necklace is a one-of-a-kind piece available at Vintage Rehab.

The Story Inside a Locket

Lockets are fascinating because they tell a story. When you open an old locket for the first time, a mystery is to be discovered.  I love finding ones with the original photographs still in tact.  I imagine who wore it and the meaning of the photos inside.  Most often they are one's parents, husband or children that a woman once wore close to her heart.  I was quite a surprise to find a picture inside this locket of Bing Crosby, a musician that someone greatly admired.  

This 1910's Moon and Star Locket Necklace is available at Vintage Rehab's store.

History of Cameo Lockets

Throughout history, royalty figures have set the trends for jewelry fashion.  In the fifteenth and sixteenth century, Queen Victoria of England popularized cameo lockets. Queen Elizabeth and Catherine the Great also had a very impressive collection of them.  

Since then, women began collecting cameos to show their cultural status, prestige and wealth. Cameos feature images of mythological gods and goddesses, heroes and rulers, and biblical events. These reliefs predominately showcased women's profiles, and depicted an ethic or moral, or to make a statement about faith and loyalties.  

This beautiful vintage sterling silver cameo locket is from the 1940's. I paired it with an ornate sterling silver chain that accents the relief border around the locket.  You can purchase this 1940's Silver Cameo Locket Necklace  at Vintage Rehab's online store.

Rattlesnake Guitar Strap

Last summer, my fiance went fishing with his friends.  They didn't have much luck that day.  Instead of catching fish to cook, he brought back a rattlesnake.  It was over 5 feet long with a beautiful diamond pattern.   

This is a guitar strap that I made with the snake skin.  I laced the edges with dark brown leather to match the criss-cross design.  Best of all, I attached the rattle to the end.  He loves to shake it while he plays his guitar.   

We used the meat to make this rattlesnake cake recipe, which was not very good.  Try it at your own risk.

1800's Fan Necklace

While hunting for vintage lockets, I came across this amazing 1800's fan pin made in Portugal by Topazio. The filagree design is gold plated sterling silver that is adorned with painted enamel flowers and  a dangling fleur-de-lye charm.  

Although I mostly create vintage locket necklaces, I couldn't resist this exceptional piece.  I paired this fashionable pin with a very ornate, new 14k gold filled chain.  You can find this necklace at my etsy store.

Vintage Rehab Bracelets

I have created a new line of Vintage Rehab bracelets.  This rectangular shaped shell button is a rare vintage find.  A dark brown leather strand is threaded through it and wraps around the wrist eleven times, and connects with a strong magnetic clasp. They are available in dark brown, light brown, green and coral leather.  Please check out my etsy store to see my new designs.  

All Stitched Up

Everyone appreciates the thought put into a handmade, one-of-a-kind gift. This is a poncho I just finished knitting for my mother. It is a simple garter stitch.  The yarn changes colors throughout, creating a striped pattern.  I wove a strand of leather at the neck that tightens to give it shape.  A few months ago, my mom and I were shopping at one of my favorite boutiques. We both really liked a similar tubular sweater, which inspired this design of mine.   It didn't quite turn out the same, but even better.  

Hunting for Treasures

You ask, "where do I find vintage lockets?"  I buy them at estate sales and from antique jewelry dealers.  I always ask the seller about the history of the pieces and learn a lot from talking to them. Recently, while hunting for vintage treasures, I came across the most beautiful lockets that I have ever seen.  It is a rare Art Nouveau locket with a relief of a woman blowing bubbles.  I especially love how the bubbles are accented with jewels.       

Them Boots Are Made For Walking

Cowboy boots are symbolic of the Wild West and their designs take their inspiration from centuries of boot making.  Horseman wore boots to protect the inner calf from rubbing on the saddle and the outer calf from nettles and brambles.  The purpose of the stacked heel was to stabilize the foot in the stirrup. One of the most interesting things about vintage cowboy boots is that they were mostly custom made and nearly every pair is different. Here is my collection of vintage cowboy boots.  Like Cinderella, I hunt for a boot that fits. 

Recycled Jewelry Pouches

In addition to recycling, it is important to not to waste materials. Instead of throwing away leftover fabric scraps, I save them to make jewelry pouches for every Vintage Rehab necklace and bracelet. Inside each one is a description of the piece and my business card.