Handmade Chainmaille

Description

This colorful necklace features a circa 1930 "apple juice" bakelite dress clip, converted to a pendant.  Vertical rows of clear and amethyst-colored rhinestones add sparkle, while the handwoven brass chain features vintage (circa 1960) faceted lucite links.  An antique glass button dangles from the clasp.

Details

• 24" long
• bakelite pendant is 2" long and 1 3/8" wide
• length can be extended - please indicate desired length when placing your order for this piece

Materials

• vintage bakelite and rhinestone converted dress clip
• brass jump rings
• vintage faceted oval lucite links
• brass lobster clasp

Description

This bracelet features handwoven, oxidized sterling chainmaille and a focal antique rhinestone shoe buckle, circa 1930.  Inside the oval rhinestone frame of the buckle is a pierced floral motif.  A vintage glass button, intended for use as an eye for a child's toy dangles from the end of the bracelet.

Details

• 7" long with a 1" extension chain
• sterling buckle is 1 1/2" x 1"

Materials

• sterling silver jump rings
• vintage sterling and rhinestone shoe buckle
• sterling lobster clasp

Description

This bracelet features handwoven, oxidized sterling chainmaille and a focal antique rhinestone shoe buckle, circa 1930.  A vintage button used as a eye for a child's toy dangles from the end of the bracelet.

Details

• 7" long with a 1" extension chain
• sterling buckle is 1 1/2" x 1"

Materials

• sterling silver jump rings
• vintage sterling and rhinestone shoe buckle
• sterling lobster clasp

Description

This bracelet features a handwoven oxidized sterling chainmaille bracelet embellished with a focal cut steel button. 

Details

• 7 1/2" long
• 1" wide
• focal button is 28 mm in diameter

Materials

• oxidized sterling jump rings
• sterling box clasp
• antique cut steel button

Origin Story

Cut steel jewelry gained popularity in France during the 18th century when King Louis demanded that citizens turn in their diamonds to help fund war efforts.  This type of jewelry features tiny faceted and polished steel studs carved to mimic diamonds and individually riveted in place.  Similar in appearance to marcasite, cut steels sparkle brilliantly when polished.  Pieces can be dated by looking at the size of the cut steels, which were individually hand-riveted, and the number of facets.  Older buckles feature smaller studs with as many as 15 facets.  Cut steel jewelry fell out of fashion in the early 20th century when production quality declined and other trends emerged.

Description

These earrings feature rose-gold and sterling silver Helm weave chainmaille adorned with 8 mm smoked topaz aurora borealis beads, circa 1950.

Details

• 2" long

Materials

• rose-gold and sterling silver jump rings
• 8 mm smoked topaz aurora borealis beads
• sterling silver ear wires

Origin Story

The smoked topaz beads feature a finish known as "aurora borealis," meant to simulate the iridescent effect of the Northern Lights.  Created by the Swarovski Company in the mid-1950's, this coating was extremely popular in costume jewelry through the 1960's.   

Description

This necklace features a large antique art glass button with paste stones, circa 1890, suspended from brass chain handwoven in a rosette design. The button's high-domed, purple and brown glass cabochon is 1" in diameter and set with prongs that are an extension of the pierced design.  The metal is brass with a golden wash.

Details

• 20" long
• lobster clasp
• one-of-a-kind

Material

• brass and art glass button
• jeweler's brass jump rings
• brass lobster clasp

Origin Story

The antique button was produced during the "Gay Nineties," an American term coined in the 1920's referring to the last decade of the 19th century.  In Europe, this same time period is known as the "Belle Epoque" and in England is called the "Naughty Nineties."  Regardless of its name, it was a period characterized by ornate and decadent styles.  Buttons of this era were large, usually featured a focal glass "jewel," and adorned outerwear.

The original shank of the button is still attached to its backside so as to maintain the integrity of this antique artifact.  When laid flat, the shank causes the button to slightly cant to the side, however this effect is virtually eliminated when the necklace is worn due to its suspension from the chain.

Description

This one-of-a-kind necklace features handwoven, white gold-filled chainmail with antique turquoise glass beads.  The beads are Chinese glass pendants made in the early 20th century to be used as counterweights to Mandarin court necklaces. Each has a metal cap and some show remnants of iridescent Kingfisher feathers, very popular in court jewelry. 

Details

• length of the drop, cap and small glass bead atop vary from 30-35 mm and the width at the bottom of the pendant beads is 15-18 mm.
• width of the chain is 1/2" and the length is 20."  This necklace can be extended [$15 per inch] upon request.

Materials

• white gold-filled chainmail
• antique glass pendant beads
• gold-filled spring ring clasp

Description

This one-of-a-kind statement necklace features a rare large, mid-20th century bronzed, asymetrical floral brooch signed Renoir and handwoven chainmail embellished with vintage taupe aurora borealis beads, also mid-century.

Details

• necklace is 20" long
• pendant is 2 1/4" wide and 3/4" thick
• pendant can be removed and worn as a brooch

Materials

• bronze S hook clasp in the shape of a snake
• bronze chainmail
• vintage copper/bronze brooch
• vintage glass beads

Origin Story

The Renior jewelry company was founded in California in 1946 by Jerry Fels, and produced jewelry through 1964.  Fels studied at the Arts Student League and the National Academy of Design before serving as a fighter pilot during World War II.  Renior jewelry was largely made with copper, influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement which had valued handmade objects and "humble" materials such as copper and brass.

Description

This necklace features an oval, antique cut steel shoe buckle, converted to a pendant, on handwoven, oxidized sterling silver chainmaille.  The buckle, circa late 19th century, is 2 1/2" in at its widest and 1 3/4" high. 

Details

• 18" long
• one-of-a-kind

Materials

• sterling silver lobster clasp
• oxidized sterling silver jump rings
• antique cut steel shoe buckle

Origin Story

Cut steel jewelry gained popularity in France during the 18th century when King Louis demanded that citizens turn in their diamonds to help fund war efforts.  This type of jewelry features tiny faceted and polished steel studs carved to mimic diamonds and individually riveted in place.  Similar in appearance to marcasite, cut steels sparkle brilliantly when polished.  Pieces can be dated by looking at the size of the cut steels, which were individually hand-riveted, and the number of facets.  Older buckles feature smaller studs with as many as 15 facets.  Cut steel jewelry fell out of fashion in the early 20th century when production quality declined and other trends emerged.

Description

This necklace features a vintage dress clip, circa 1930, converted into a pendant on a handwoven bronze chain.  The focal pendant has taille d'epargne enamel, a multi-layer design with paste stones, and a scrolling foliate etched design.  There are traces of its original gilded finish and the clip is worn in places to reveal the silver-toned metal beneath.  

Details

• necklace is 20" long
• pendant is 3/4" wide and 2" long

Materials

• bronze hook clasp in the shape of a snake
• brass chainmaille
• vintage metal and paste dress clip

Origin Story

Dress and fur clips debuted in the 1920's, when costume jewelry first gained popularity. It is said Coco Chanel introduced the idea of wearing less expensive costume jewelry as art, instead of wearing fine jewelry as a symbol of status and wealth.  When first introduced, dress clips were worn in pairs, often worn opposite one another on the neckline or straps of a dress.  Popularity wanted in the 1950's, when brooches became a more desirable personal ornament.  Today, you'll occasionally see vintage clips attached to the dresses, sweaters, handbags and scarves of trend-setting celebrities.

Description

This necklace features a vintage Bakelite floral buckle segment, circa 1930, and handwoven black and gold brass chainmaille.  The focal pendant is layered with three colors, brown, butterscotch and green. The bi-color chain is handwoven from black enamel and brass jump rings.  

Details

• necklace is 20" long
• pendant is 1 1/2" in diameter

Materials

• vintage Bakelite buckle component
• brass lobster clasp
• black enamel and brass chainmaille

Origin Story

Bakelite was an early plastic, developed by Leo Baekeland in 1907. It was originally used for industrial purposes due to its ability to withstand heat.  It appeared in costume jewelry beginning in the 1920's and increased in popularity through the 30's and 40's.   Bakelite was often intricately carved and came in a wide range of beautiful colors.  Today, authentic Bakelite jewelry is highly collectible.

Description

This one-of-a-kind statement necklace features a segment from an antique enameled sash buckle and watch fob, circa 1920, on a handwoven brass chain with faceted moss green quartz bead dangles. 

Details

• pendant and fob measure 2" at the widest point and drops 3" long [including bead dangle]
• necklace is 20" long
• handwoven chain is 1" at its widest along the front and 3/4" along the back.

Materials

• jeweler's brass chainmaille
• brass hook clasp
• antique enamel buckle component
• antique watch fob component
• moss green quartz beads

This necklace features handwoven brass chainmail with vintage rhinestones.  The rhinestones are bi-colored, rose and jonquil yellow, and made in Germany [circa 1920].  Each of the nine foiled-back, oval stones is 18 x 13 mm and prong set in brass.  The chain is a little over 3/4 inch wide across the front of the necklace and narrows to about 1/2" towards the back.

Although the necklace is intended to be worn along the collar [length is 18"], it can be extended upon request [$10 per additional inch].

Closes with a brass lobster clasp.

Description

This bracelet is made from a vintage rhinestone shoe buckle, circa 1920.  It is connected to a handwoven, oxidized sterling silver chain with a vintage rhinestone hook clasp.  An antique cut glass button charm dangles from the end of the bracelet.

Details

• vintage shoe buckle is 2" X 1 1/4"
• chainmaille is 3/4" wide 

Materials

• oxidized sterling jump rings
• vintage rhinestone hook clasp
• faceted antique crystal button
• vintage rhinestone and pot metal shoe buckle

Description

This necklace features a vintage gold-plated brass locket, c. 1930, with an etched design, paste stones and glass seed pearls.   It hangs on a chain of gold-filled hand-woven chainmaille links, gold-filled jump rings, and antique rose and yellow rolled gold links from two different 19th-century book chain necklaces.  The locket opens and closes securely, and dangles from an antique, gold-filled pocket watch clip.

Details

• locket is 1 1/4" x 1"
• necklace is 20" long

Materials

• gold-filled toggle clasp
• antique book chain links
• vintage gold-plated locket
• gold-filled jump rings
• antique pocket watch clip

Origin Story

The book chain necklace features links shaped like the bindings of books, and was a popular design during the Victorian era.  This necklace style re-emerged throughout the 20^th century during various Victorian revival periods, particularly during the late 1930's and 40's.  It is a design that continues to evolve and inspire even in the 21^st century.