Dishfunctional Designs: jewelry made from antique lace

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Jewelry Made From Antique Valentines & Valentine Post Cards

When you have a true love for antiques and vintage items, you want to preserve them so that they can be enjoyed by future generations.

There's a special kind of gentle kindness in that—to preserve and not destroy—to find value in the past, and though it may be just a tattered piece of paper to some, to others who can see more deeply into it and understand it's importance and value— know that preservation of antique and historical items is paramount to understanding the past and therefore appreciating it, and wanting to share it.

I started making my vintage ephemera jewelry and vintage postcard jewelry in the late 1980's and have created hundreds if not thousands of pieces over the years. Most sandwiched between pieces of glass and hand-soldered, sometimes adding beads or baubles and sometimes adding a vintage finish to the metalwork. Being handmade, each piece always was a unique, one of a kind piece of art jewelry that celebrated the past.

Now, all these years later, I look back at some of my past designs and see how my own craftsmanship has changed and transformed into what it is today. I've written art jewelry books and have done so many amazing things over the years but I always enjoy just sitting down with a cup of tea and looking through the vintage valentine images and vintage postcard art.

Of course, I never destroy an original vintage post card or valentine! Each piece that I make starts with me making a copy of the original ephemera and then goes on from there. The original vintage Valentine's Day cards and antique Valentine postcards are treasures of the past and should be protected and kept for years to come.

Below are some of the pieces I've made. A few are available in my Etsy shop, and the vintage initials are available directly from my website at www.laurabethlove.com

Necklace pendants made from antique valentines & antique postcards

Necklace pendant made from antique valentine postcard with heart shaped coin pearl

Charm-sized necklace pendants made from antique valentines

Vintage fairies! Necklace pendants made from antique valentines

I add the glitter details by hand

Queen of hearts

Necklace pendants made from antique valentines & antique postcards

Along the same line of vintage papers, these lovely antique initial pendants are available on my website at www.laurabethlove.com

Want to see more?

Limited stock available in my Etsy shop

Bohemian Wedding Antique Lace Jewelry with Crystals, Pearls & Moonstone

"A remnant of cloth from a baby's first dress, a bit of lace from your wedding veil or vintage handkerchief, a piece of your grandmother's quilt, or perhaps a square from one of your father's ties—what better way to preserve a small snippet of a precious textile than to transform it into a beautiful, wearable piece you can enjoy every day?"

- Laura Beth Love, Boho Chic Jewelry: 25 Timeless Designs Using Soldering, Beading, Wire Wrapping and More, 2014 FW Media, KP Craft

Lace jewelry bridal boho wedding Laura Beth Love

Since my last piece of vintage lace & glass jewelry (learn how in project Lace & Glass Necklace, page 97, Boho Chic Jewelry Book) sold quickly, I figured I probably should list the second one I made in case someone would like it for the holidays. As I've said before, I try to offer a nice selection of different items in my shop, and my vintage lace jewelry seems to always sell out quickly!

This piece is made with white lace and so it's different from the last beaded one that I just sold. I think this one turned out beautifully too. I individually hand-beaded each gemstone link one at a time, and it took me an entire afternoon to put this one together! The chain and wires are all solid sterling silver and the gemstones are genuine pearls, rainbow moonstone beads, and quartz crystal beads.

This chain is long and measures about 32" in length and easily slips over your head, though there is a clasp attached as well. Lace jewelry is great for weddings as bridal jewelry and has a great Boho flair.