By Michelle Talsma Everson
Like most material items, many of our favorite pieces of jewelry have a shelf life. Clasps break, stones fall out of their settings, a pair of earrings separates from one another, and some pieces just experience the wear and tear of time. Yet, each of the pieces is still unique; each still tells a story; each is still valuable in its own way. To some jewelry artists, this is where upcycling comes in.
Upcycling is “taking something that you would otherwise throw out and finding a way to make it into something else,” according to upcyclethat.com. To three Valley jewelry makers, it means taking vintage jewelry pieces and using them to create new ones.
Trish Burnett, The Trinket Emporium
For nearly a decade, Trish Burnett has breathed new life into broken jewelry and other “awesome finds.” What started as a casual passion for browsing antique and thrift shops has since morphed into an impressive collection of necklaces, earrings, and more on her Etsy and Facebook pages. Some of her one-of-a-kind items include her dainty bulb necklaces and movement pieces. To Burnett, it’s all about giving each piece a second chance.
“We’re living in a day where you get less and pay more for it. Things aren’t made like they used to be,” she says. “Being able to take something that was an important part of someone’s life at one time and let it live on in something beautiful that can be appreciated every day is why I do this.”
Looking toward the future, she hopes to eventually expand her passion even further, reaching even more people.
“I hope to one day have a physical store location for The Emporium that will house not only my handmade and upcycled bits, but also handmade and original pieces from other local and international artists, as well as vintage clothing and other finds that deserve to be loved and used today.”
Photos by Jessica Frieling
Lilia Corona, Corona Couture
Like most artists, creating her art is like therapy to Lilia Corona. With her line, Corona Couture, she’s able to “give old beautiful things new life again.” In addition to her Facebook page, you can find her pieces at various stores around the Valley, as well as art shows in which she regularly participates. She didn’t originally set out to use vintage pieces in her jewelry line.
“I got started just making some beaded bracelets, then eventually saw some vintage brooches and earrings that I thought would make great accents to my jewelry,” she explains. By creating her pieces—which include stylish necklaces, bracelets and more—she loves being able to help connect customers to the past.
“Someone might have a piece of their grandmother’s jewelry that they might not want to wear because it looks old-fashioned,” Corona explains. “Once I take it and make it into something new, it looks modern and trendy so they can wear it and have that connection.” She hopes to continue expanding her line locally and nationally.
Photos by TavitsPhotography.com
Shelly Brooks, Mystic Pieces
Shelly Brooks’ eclectic pieces are unique and tend to fall into the steampunk, neo-Victorian, gothic and industrial genres. She is a fan of movement pieces and other vintage baubles that help her to merge the past and present together in an eco-friendly manner.
“Themes in my jewelry explore the dimensions of both art and history,” Brooks says. “My passion is working with vintage watches and other found pieces—to find that perfect juxtaposition of old and new is the part of the puzzle that keeps me going.”
Brooks takes her passion for green jewelry-making seriously, adding that she has been a full-time artist for five years.
“I’m loving the different challenges,” she says about being an artist and entrepreneur. “I attend over 50 art shows a year in Arizona including the Tempe Festival of the Arts, 4th Avenue Street Fair in Tucson, Sedona Arts Festival and shows in Scottsdale. This summer you can also see Mystic Pieces at art shows in Prescott, Flagstaff and Pinetop.”
As things move forward, she hopes to focus more on online sales and area boutiques.
Photos courtesy of Mystic Pieces
