Mother and Daughter Journey Through Time with Vintage Jewelry

by Joan K. Levine
( JKL Vintage - New York, New York )

The clicking sound of my mother's high heels on the wood floor of her bedroom is a memory that stays embedded in my mind. I can still see the pale yellow pickled wood floor as I watched her move around on those heels.

She was beautiful. So glamorous. I knew that once her heels were on, next came the big decision, what jewelry would she wear with her already stunning outfit.

I would run down the hall to her bedroom in my pajamas, knock lightly and wait for her sweet voice to summon me in.

My dad was already dressed for their Saturday night outing, his beard groomed perfectly, always dressed to the nines.

I moved toward her walk in closet, trying so hard to contain my excitement; I picked out a pair of her designer heels and walked towards her jewelry chest, trying to balance on her heels.

And then my ritual would begin. I loved her brooches the best.

I carefully picked out each jeweled pin and placed them methodically on my pajama top. Each piece was unique, just like my mother and my memories of Saturday night dress up.

For me, jewelry was always magical. The more unique the piece, the less trendy and more special I would feel.

I often wonder why my mother was as patient with me as I picked through her collection to find just the right brooch that fit my mood.

My father waited until our ritual ended and I stood in front of her Chagall mirror in her heels and a myriad of pins carefully placed on my little girl pajama top.

Forty years later, my mother and I have taken our priceless memories and search for unique brooches and transform them into one of a kind necklaces.

Each piece has a life of its own. Our unity, creativity and love of design come from the bond and love of a mother daughter relationship.

I learned about style every time I heard my mother's heels clicking on her wood floor of her pale yellow bedroom.

Opening her door was like entering a magical carnival. She made looking beautiful so effortless.

Enjoy our creations.

Joan K. Levine
JKL Vintage