PLAYA DE ORO The Brightest Golden Shells and Pendants Peek from beneath Wired Beads the Color of Wet retailer Sand

PLAYA DE ORO In this necklace series, I aggregate medallions, crosses, pendants, and charms on collarbone-length necklaces for maximum visual punch and layers of symbolism and meaning. Here, a collection of vintage pendants in the brightest gold sit between vintage wired beads that catch the light and are the color of wet sand. At the center sits a gold-dipped conical shell, flanked on one side by a polished brass pinched oval, Buddhist pendant, a gold coin charm, a gold-dipped sand dollar, golden charm with an ancient figure, and a golden butterfly. On the other side: a looping shape in glossy gold, a locket, a cut-metal medallion, a striated heart, a starfish, and an English coin charm. All elements are vintage.

This necklace is 17 inches long, with a two-inch extension chain and a lobster-claw clasp. The length can be shortened upon request. It is designed to sit at the collarbone.

Magpie Jewelry Designs, known as Magpie Adornment on Etsy, combines vintage costume jewelry elements with modern materials to make necklaces and earrings with energy and life. Please follow the Instagram account @magpiejewelrydesigns to explore the artistic and creative themes of the pieces.

Kristianna searches for old costume jewelry and interesting objects in antique markets and estate sales in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. She works with vintage charms, brooches, beads, and other materials in combination with new stones, glass, and tassels to make necklaces and earrings. She is inspired by how colors, shapes, and textures interact, and how objects from different eras and cultures amplify one other.

Every piece of Magpie Adornment jewelry is singular: Kristianna designs and constructs each one herself, and pieces are not repeated. To add further meaning and resonance, each one is named based on cultural, historical, and artistic references.

Kristianna finds that the limitations of working with older materials inspire her creativity. She also feels like there are so many beautiful things retailer from the past that are no longer worn or enjoyed, and that it is a pleasure to use these materials to create something fresh and modern.

Magpie Adornment includes a wide range of necklace and earring styles, including:

PENDANTS PLUS: vintage pendants combined with charms, beads, and chains for a dynamic, modern look
CRAZY FOR CHARMS: beaded necklaces (including lariats) with collections of vintage pendants and charms
OUTFIT MAKERS: color-themed necklaces that begin with a basic color and explore it all the way, in terms of tone, hue, age, material, and texture
BIBS FROM BROOCHES: bib necklaces comprised of vintage brooches
TASSELS RULE: necklaces with tassels Kristianna designed and had made for her exclusive use
SWING INTO EARRINGS: earrings with mismatched vintage charms and beads, plus a new series of chandelier earrings from repurposed necklace clasps
TRIPLE DOUBLES: double-strand or triple-strand necklaces with vintage and modern beads in complementary colors, materials, and textures
LIGHT AND SIMPLE: shorter necklaces with smaller, simpler profiles

All Items are shipped from Houston, Texas.

Each piece is made lovingly from mostly vintage materials that have a gently worn look, which is part of its unique charm. Enjoy, and handle carefully.