I rediscovered this necklace that was a collaboration between me and Bernd. He conceived and executed the pendant and I made the necklace from which it hangs.

It had been languishing in storage because, frankly, I didn’t think anyone would ever actually like it. But he took it to work recently and showed it to co-workers and a couple of them actually liked it. One younger co-worker said it was dated. That’s for sure. It was made at a time when statement pieces were not necessarily statement pieces. They were more the norm.

We started our jewelry making business in 2000. At that time, beaded necklaces were popular and also largish pendants (although maybe not quite this large), and big beads. Right now, we are coming off of a trend that has been called “minimalist” where single stones hanging on simple chains, tiny bead chains, and the like were most popular. That meant that much of what we enjoy making has not been very popular.

Minimalist necklace

Some are calling the “new” trend “maximalist.” It’s new only because the young people haven’t really experienced it yet.

When I was very young (I’m talking single digits), my mom had a lot of shoes that she just couldn’t part with. They were from her youth. For reference, she was born in 1923. They were platform shoes. As a child, I thought they were funny looking and couldn’t imagine why anyone would wear them.

The shoes I remember best were red and looked a lot like these. This style was known as “Carmen Miranda.”

Cue up 1975 and I’m getting married to the man who is still my partner in life. What kind of shoes did I wear on our wedding day? Open-toed platform shoes. They were all the rage at the time. Mine were strappy and had a cork look.

Mom always said that everything old eventually becomes new again.

To be honest, I don’t know that the necklace I mentioned at the beginning of this will ever find a home in someone’s jewelry box, but I’ve decided to list it in our Etsy shop. If nothing more, it might be a vehicle for opening conversations about the creative drive and perceptions of beauty and all that.

Or I’m just grasping at straws.

Shoes, necklace and quote courtesy of OverAttired Vintage Fashion, I Dream of Jewelry and Koser Jewelers respectively.