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Vintage Redesign Jewlery Designer Scours Oronoco Flea Market for Treasures

August 22nd, 2009 in member junk     
MimiToria Gretchen Schaumann, contributor
16 users recommend
Treasure Chest!  A suitcase filled with my finds.
A cinderella story indeed.  Dont you just love that happily ever after fairy tale?  Thats how I felt after being at this Flea Market.  I am now loaded with jewels to turn all Minnesota females into Cinderellas.
Some of my treasure trove.
Sue, the generous junker that she is, spotted this vendor booth while out shopping and gave me a call to come see the goodies.  She picked a bunch of these treasures to show me and I just love them all.  The top left item is a gift from Sue.  Love it all!
Some adorable minatures to design with.
Flower Power!
I found a lot of sparkly rhinestone pieces to recreate with.
Another wonderful selection.  This time blue.  This wasnt planned and only noticed when I was setting up for photographing my finds.  Funny how that works out.
I really love designing with vintage brass items.
Found and purchased this tiny porcelain baby doll and proceeded to try to wrap her to protect it better and dropped it inside a building onthe cement.  Bummer!  Candy quickly pointed out that I still have 2 arms and 2 legs to design with.  Always the opptomist is what Candy does best.
This necklace is an example of the types of vintage elements I work with to recreate into a new usuable piece of jewelry.  Many elements are included in each of my designs, and they become truly one-of-a-kind designs by the time I am finished with each one.
Treasure Chest!  A suitcase filled with my finds.

Treasure Chest!  A suitcase filled with my finds.
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This was truly a wondeful opportunity for me a jewelry designer to search and rescue much of these JUNK treasures that I've posted about.  Most of these items were strewn together on large tables with one price and all tangled up and missing their mates.  That just gave me the drive I needed to pursue the challenge.  My Mom taught me well with how to dig to unearth the needle in the hay stack.  It is truly an inherited gene, and I love that my Mom took the time to teach me this skill.  It surely has come in handy with my occupation as a jewelry designer.

You may see more of my creations and learn more about the Oronoco Flea Market on my blog, as I am posting a series on this event as well as have many jewelry designs shown on my blog.  http://mimitoriasdesigns.blogspot.com


Pattern or design used: My own design - Gretchen Schaumann of Mimi-Toria's Jewelry
posted in: member junk, vintage, metal, eclectic, funky, whimsical, fun, jewelry, crystal, stone
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Comments (21)

artisansjunk writes: I hate to admit it but I find some of my vintage jewelry in the glass case at the register at the Goodwill. Everything is 1-$3. The rest my adorable boyfriend buys me as trinket gifts in an amazing little shop in Roanoke VA.

Lisa Wynn Posted: 3:36 pm on February 8th
bluebucket writes: Hi Gretchen,
I used to think vintage jewelry truly was ugly junk. Now I love it and search for it for different crafting projects. Love your pictures of bling. Posted: 12:30 am on October 5th
ClassyLadyJen writes: That is beyond fabulous! I am jealous! Posted: 2:32 pm on August 26th
alicemom writes: Gretchen,
Fab-U-lous!!!! Really good going girl!! I am tickled for you. Looking forward to seeing the goodies.
smiles, alice Posted: 1:58 pm on August 25th
MimiToria writes: No, Jim. I agree. Jewelry wouldn't go with your persona. Nice you can appreciate though.
Posted: 2:04 pm on August 23rd
JunkArchitect writes:

WOW, Gretchen. You found some unbelievable pieces. I don’t think I could pull off wearing one of your creations but I do appreciate all the loot you found at Oronoco.

Jim



Posted: 1:34 pm on August 23rd
MimiToria writes: Thanks everyone for your nice comments about my finds at Oronoco. Like Robert mentioned I surely was blessed! The prices at Oronoco were all over the charts and I saw jewelry pieces in cases for $350-800 in one booth and then there were actual flea market vendors with offerings like I chose to buy at fabulous prices. I will definitely be back next year.
I'm at our cabin currently, sitting in the beautiful sunshine, drinking a cup of coffee and designing with some of my wonderful new finds. They are coming together just as I had hoped, and many of these finds will be showcased at a local Junk event, so stop by and see the results. I will try to post a few finished products, but hope to unveil most of it for the first time at this event.
Thanks Junk Market members for your love and support. You truly rock!
Gretchen
http://mimitoriasdesigns.blogspot.com Posted: 10:36 am on August 23rd
Heavenly_Treasures writes: GRETCHEN.
WOW, You got great taste when It comes to vintage jewelry.Great finds. You were blessed. Robert. Posted: 10:51 pm on August 22nd
wendygail2 writes: wow! awesome! Posted: 9:16 pm on August 22nd
pinkflamingo61 writes: I'm sitting here drooling! Jackpot! Posted: 8:02 pm on August 22nd
shabbychick writes: Gretchen...

You definitely found some buried treasures! And, I know your creations will be unbelievable. It was so much fun to visit the French Flea and see your designs in real life!

I'll be keeping my eyes open for some more goodies for you too (and thanks for the bag of leftovers...I'll take them anytime!)

Love ya, Kathy Posted: 3:22 pm on August 22nd
junkermidge writes: Wow, Gretchen. That is some gorgeous bling! Mark me down as one of the many drooling over the photos. You must be in your glory. I can't wait to see wait you come up with.
Midge Posted: 10:08 am on August 22nd
suewhitney writes: Amazingly beautiful stuff Gretchen. You have a great eye for the good stuff. I can't wait to see your stunning designs as they unfold!! Thanks so much for the great time in Oronoco. Can't wait for next year.

Be Well,
Sue Posted: 9:40 am on August 22nd
CottageElements writes: Gretchen, you really did make a haul at Gold Rush. I'm dying to see all the amazing things you'll make out of them! You do such a incredible job on all your redesigns! Just give me first dibs ;)

Lani

Posted: 12:45 am on August 22nd
roadtriplouise writes: Great treasures! It was hot at Oronoco but alot of fun. Glad we run into you.

Posted: 11:47 pm on August 21st
byabpryor writes: Love it... Looks great! Posted: 10:14 pm on August 21st
dresdenjunkshun writes: great finds...I LOVE the Cinderella brass tag!! Posted: 9:50 pm on August 21st
Junk_Sophisticate writes: Gretchen - what a beautiful post! I knew you had some real goodies in your jewelry pouch but I guess I never imagined how much! You really do have a way with choosing just the right pieces for your jewelry. I'm sure there are many more out there drooling over your photos like I am.

Take care,
Candy Posted: 9:25 pm on August 21st
smiller0529 writes: I love old vintage jewelry. Posted: 8:51 pm on August 21st
chippingcharm writes: Oh so beautiful...you truly have an eye for "pretties"!!!
You asked which one of your necklaces I purchased at the French Flea; for this one you used a vintage key for the base, layered with a dark irredescent button and a little cream flower. I love it!
It was a tough decision, I loved them all! Maybe I'll have to buy one every month :)
Thanks Gretchen...take care, Laurel Posted: 7:58 pm on August 21st
RustyDiva writes: Congrats on the jackpot ~ love all that sparkles! Posted: 5:56 pm on August 21st
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