We asked Colifichet boutique owner and new Market Publique seller, Christine Sisson, to share some stories about how she started collecting vintage jewelry and what she found out about each piece.
Read below for her guest post and oogle her shiny offerings...
Looking back, I suppose my fascination with jewelry with a past goes back to childhood.
There was a timeworn cardboard box in my mother’s closet that contained jumbled bits and baubles from instinct times: knotted necklaces and lonely, orphaned earrings and the occasional intact piece—a beaded necklace from Sedona, a shiny coin bracelet. (Where is that bracelet now, when I need it?) I don’t think trying them on even occurred to me; I just liked to look at them every once in awhile.
In later years, I embraced my love of accessorizing. When I left my middle school uniform behind for the greener pastures of public high school, I found opportunity to experiment a bit. But vintage didn’t enter the picture until post-college, when my grandmother gave me a few pieces that awakened my passion for jewelry with history and narrative.
Now, I scout actively—and passively. Oddly, sometimes these pieces find me. Living in Prague for a year gave me access to all things old and beautiful. At a muddy flea market way on the outskirts of town, where old appliances shared space with diapers, candy and cast-off Communist-era literature, a beautiful worn-gold bracelet found me. At another market, this turquoise-colored beaded brooch begged for my koruny.
I also harbor an intense crush on all things that sparkle, like this dazzling rhinestone choker. I have a vision of a bride in an extremely minimalist, non-traditional gown wearing this princess-like piece.
But while I’d happily wear rhinestones with just about everything, my go-to style is more layered dark brass and gold chains and oversized medallions like this one. So versatile.
And then there’s this Lucite necklace. Maybe it’s my obsession with candy, rather than my love of jewelry, that drives this obsession?
I’m thrilled to be a part of the Market Publique community and look forward to showing you more of my finds.
- Christine
