Part of my trip to Chicago was planned around being able to go to the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, IL. I will not bore you with the hours of driving to get there and back from downtown Chicago - nope. Sparing you all those details because I love you that much.
I also love flea markets. I try to hit them wherever I travel. I can tell you the one I went to in Rome was proabably the most disappointing ever - have no idea why. Okay, back to St. Charles ('cause rating them all is another story entirely). This is my first time hunting and gathering as a person who makes jewelry. It was a whole new experience for me. What fun I had digging through bins, all the while thinking "I could make a cool necklace with this".
Do you know what happens when you are a gluten-free vegetarian and you go to an out of town flea market without stopping for healthy snacks to bring along? You find only one thing to eat for lunch.
What else did I find? Very old keys, metal tags from liquor bottles, discarded bits and bobs of vintage jewelry and get this..........pieces off old cars and old car keys. Who knew? I could care less about cars. I have no idea what year or type of car I drive. It's white and the air works, that's all I care about, but these car parts called out to me - "Jeanette, save us - make us into something pretty". What was I to do but oblige? Remember, I feel bad when I put a piece of bruised fruit back in the grocery store. Here are the few pieces I've put together since getting home last weekend.
Fun no? There's more to come, so much more...
13 comments:
I think I've said it before, a true artist sees art everywhere. Fantastic! I mean it. I can see any one of these necklaces rocking the cover of Marie Claire or Vogue. Can't you just see SJP in one of these for the Sex in the City Premiere? Checking my contacts to see if I know anyone who can spread the word. Can you tell I love these? Are they all in your store? I picked a good time to check in, still travelling.
You are so talented! Congratulations, your jewelry is fabulous and these 'salvaged' pieces now have new life as such wonderful accessories! Kudos to you Jeanette, I hope you 'sell out'!
I love the keys! AND, I am starving and those fries look delicious.
I don't have a thing for car emblems - but agree totally with Henley, our hopefully well-connected friend.
But, the keys - now those I do have a thing for! I still have the skeleton key from the 1906 Bungalow that we restored in Denver. I had a "new" skeleton key made to leave for the new owners - but that old original one, made in 1906 - well that came with me and lives on a silk ribbon in my jewelry box - it comes out to ride around my neck every now and again. Love the pix and the new inventory.
Hey thanks guys. To answer your question Henley, some of them are already up in the shop - will add the rest before weeks end.
Very cool. Very very cool. Can't wait to see the rest of it.
Went to a car show this last weekend and it was cool to see some of these emblems on some of the old cars. I also love those old car keys. Something about them...
What great finds! I love going to flea markets especially when traveling- European flea markets (generally) rock!
You r so funny with your "white car"!
Um, do you have one for an Impala?That's my favorite:)
Ha ha - I DO in fact. I believe it's in the last photo - will let you know when the necklace is made funny girl.
The keys are so cool. I'm excited to see everything you make out of them.
Flea markets are SO amazing - I wish they had more of them where I live!
sam would love all those car bobbles.
what a find. i like the old keys
Post a Comment