Sometimes you come across a treasure hidden in a junk shop, at a flea market or on a charity stall that really speaks to you.
I popped into town at lunchtime today, dodging the showers to catch some fresh air, not really intending to shop when I came across such a thing.
Hanging on a tangled stand in a charity shop was this beauty. Weighty, gloriously tactile with a carved wooden hook (although it looks like bone it isn't) to fasten it and the colour of deepest coral I knew this lovely necklace would be mine as soon as I saw it.
Just £3 and it is a wonderful thing. The type of jewellery that as a young girl I thought I might wear when I got to *almost* forty.
It's what I'd call "art teacher" jewellery, worn by the type of creative, inspiring teachers I had at school. The sort of woman confident wearing prints, with a colourful home full of trailing plants, great art and interesting conversation. I wonder if a woman like that really did wear it once? (Maybe she hated it though and that's why it's in a charity shop!)
I'm no art teacher and I'm not wholly sure why I identified with people like that rather than the fashionistas etc, but i did and I love my new/old necklace. Wearing it reminds me of the aspirations I had as a teenager, reminds me to try and be happy in my own skin and despite the daily grind, to enjoy being creative whenever I can x
24 comments:
Ive often wondered why i like to dress a certain way and you've kind of hit the nail on the head for me~ i'm inspired by those i admired growing up... my dad had a circle of creative friends publishers, artists, teachers, potters, gallery owners...when we visited their houses i often gazed around at the furniture, the art work on their walls and what they wore~ totally fascinated by it all...I love mixing old with new, and new with old. like you, that one off, unique and absolutely beautiful necklace makes you who you are and it suits you perfectly especially with stripes, oh' my all my wardrobe is stripes but i just love that style... I love markets and charity shops for finding a special jewel within the junk ;0) xx ...i love your shelflings with all your lovely home ware pieces ;0)
Hello Steph,
Your find looks fabulous on you and I know that you will always love wearing it. Looking at the quality of the coral and the horn clasp you might want to ask a vintage jewellery expert what sort of period it is. You might also want to check the condition of the stringing because if it has been in storage for some time it might be frayed. From experience I know that restringing is much easier to do before it is broken especially if the beads are carefully matched. Alicex
Do you have to be confident to wear prints? I have always done so right from a very shy teenager. I wear what I love and I love flowers and prints and if they are in nice colours that I like to wear then I do.
I think clothing should reflect who we are and what we like. I had an artist friend who used to work in a different field. He grew his hair into a pony tail so he 'looked like an artist'. It was silly frankly and very inauthentic, he was a very 'square' person. Many artists are not about making such personal statements. But there are many people who wish to make statements in their dress so they will be perceived (often wrongly) in a certain way. Wear what you like, and like what you wear!
It's beautiful and it looks great on you. I have always felt the same way about long, trailing scarves and now that I'm older I wear them a lot. :)
I like it!! Back in the early
80's, those were very "in" where I lived, all the girls at school wore them in different colors and textures. Good find!
Some do, that's how it seemed to me back then certainly. It took me a long time to be braver in my clothing choices and deciding I could wear patterns, bright colours and not just my jeans and a shapeless top. Some of us struggle o find what's authentic. I have some close friends who are artists and they're all different, I guess my 13 yr old self hadn't appreciated that -I was just impressed. Thanks or your comment x
How lovely to hear from you Alice! I will have a word with the lady who has a lovely vintage clothes shop in town, she might know who to take it to. It's a lovely thing to wear. Thanks for stopping by, I'd totally lost where you blog now so been e njoying catching up with you again..
Take care Steph x
Good for you Jennifer! I'm with you, here's to trailing scarves and chunky necklaces :) x
Thanks Melissa, not bad for three quid! I wondered if might be 80s, thanks for the comment x
I have always been shy when it comes to wearing bigger and bolder jewelry, but I am working on changing that at the ripe old age of 57! Your necklace looks great on you and is just the kind of thing I would consider myself. I live in Florida and enjoy reading about your life in the UK through your blog.
Paula
I have been following your blog for a long while now, but never commented. But I just had to say how gorgeous that necklace is.
Julie xxxxxxxxx
What a great find. It looks good on you. I hope you enjoy wearing it knowing it made you so happy to find it.
I think being inspired by those you admire when you are young does stick with you. I can still remember teachers I had when I was at school and the way they dressed.
Love all the goodies on your shelves too!
Lisa x
I do like a good thrifty find. :)
Gorgeous necklace! I know what you mean about clothes and associations with 'types' of people. That said, since I became a teacher I've acquire a ridiculous number of colourful scarves and dangly earrings! x
Gorgeous necklace! I know what you mean about clothes and associations with 'types' of people. That said, since I became a teacher I've acquire a ridiculous number of colourful scarves and dangly earrings! x
Steph, that necklace is a great find...and you look lovely modeling it, too!
It's also great to see one of Celia Hart's cards in the background behind your pretty face.
I never have any luck finding things in thrift shops, but since I am 68, and have kept some of my own favorite items over the years, I guess I sort of have the makings of my own thrift shop right here in my apartment!
xo
Wow, what a find! Three pounds is incredibly cheap, good for you!
Good for you. Took me ages too. Enjoy wearing your new finds x
Thanks for the lovely comment! Lovely to hear from you x
Thanks for the smashing comments. Lisa, much appreciated. Excuse the mess on my shelves too!
You can never have enough dangly earrings or scarves if you ask me :) x
Thanks Frances. Love Celia's cards and have quite a collection going on. They're beautiful aren't they. I don't find as many treasures as I used to and don't have as much time to look to be honest which makes this fund extra special. My house could double as a shop too! Xx
it's lovely and looks great on you x
wow, that's beautiful, just the thing I'd hope to find.
Post a Comment