When I was little, my grandfather took me to various gem & mineral shows, instilling in me a deep appreciation for the world of gemstones. I was instantly captivated, and began amassing my own modest collection of stones and curious little treasures (which still live in a shoebox in my attic). He also took me to flea markets, where he taught me about all manner of antiques. I've always held a deep reverence for objects that have endured through time: pieces that carry the patina of decades, even centuries, within them.

As an adult, I studied anthropology in college but wasn't sure what direction to take that knowledge. I floated between different part-time jobs until eventually landing at Stair Galleries auction house in Hudson, New York. This was a perfect fit for me, and over the years I gained invaluable insight into the world of antiques. I am forever grateful to Stair for what they gave me.

But eventually I realized that a 9-to-5 office job wasn't where I belonged. So during my nights and weekends, I began sourcing silver and costume jewelry from local auctions and estate sales. I restored and cleaned my finds, immersed myself in research, and opened my Etsy shop in 2009 to share my collection with others. Eventually, I was able to leave my full-time job at Stair and devote myself fully to building this passion into my own small business.

Since then, both my collection and my knowledge of antique jewelry — and the histories woven through them — have only deepened. My personal interest lies heavily in the world of Victorian-era mourning jewelry, hair jewelry and artifacts, and Georgian memento mori pieces.

In my shop, my goal has always been to curate a varied collection of vintage and antique pieces accessible to every budget and aesthetic. Even a modest $5 charm has the power to brighten someone's day.

During the warmer months here in the Northeast, you'll find me peddling my wares at local markets. I take particular pride in my $5 table of "random bits of awesome" — a curated jumble of unexpected delights. I do my best to post updates whenever these markets are on the horizon

I hope you enjoy my collection as much as I do.

🖤 Mindi Lyn