Foral Designs from Vintage Jewelry

Random Facts About You?

- Named my Etsy shop after my sweet dog Zoe Grace (wierd, but I LOVE her!).
- Since I was very young, I have loved weddings--the dresses, flowers, and marriage (having been married for 27 years to my best friend!)
- Love to travel abroad and absolutely fell in LOVE with Paris!
- You never know what might happen when you welcome a new adventure!

What got you started crafting?

My creative world definitely started from my wonderful mother. She loved sewing and knitting (which I CAN'T do!) and taught me how to make that first bean bag frog at about 7 years old. From there, my creativity was channeled into a career teaching fashion marketing (yes, there are actual high school classes!) and becoming that interior decorator at home.

Jump ahead a few decades, needing a creative outlet after my two wonderful sons left for college and a diversion from my busy career, I became obsessed with flowers and vintage jewelry. So I decided to take a new path in my life, and challenged myself to make something beautiful from these two obsessions. Compliments from friends and family led to requests to make more beautiful jewelry embellished floral arrangements. And from there my my Etsy shop, Zoe Grace Blooms, came to life!

What is your source of inspiration?

Insipration comes from the amazing pieces of vintage jewelry and buttons. The detail and craftsmanship of a coro brooch pales in comparison to jewelry available in our lowest price, mass-marketed world! I also love how such a utilitarian item as a button can be so lovely, and wonder what piece of vintage clothing it adorned, and who wore it. I also support upcycling, and these lovelies need to come out of jewelry boxes and off old clothes to live a new life!

I started to collect vintage buttons and jewelry, and began creating silk floral arrangements embellished with "button blooms" , stacks of vintage buttons that resemble flowers. Fun vintage salt & pepper shakers became creative holders for some of my favorite button blooms. I've hunted down amazing brooches and earrings and turned them into keepsake wedding bouquets. I found beautiful hair barrettes that became pink metal flowers in a lovely silk flower arrangement. Ok...maybe I'm obsessed!

What have you made recently?

My latest creation was a vintage brooch keepsake bouquet. I couldn't get the color combination of pink and peach out of my mind, so I scooped up vintage brooches and earrings galore! They were a lovely mix of styles, from mid-century mod looks to ornate, lacey early 20th century earrings. It was one of those perfect times when what I envisioned in my mind clearly matched the final design. The final bouquet was sincerely stunning, and very romantic! Check it out...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/97780298/blushing-bride-vintage-brooch-keepsake

Where do you sell your crafts presently?

I sell my designs in my Etsy shop, Zoe Grace Blooms.

Why are handmade crafts important to you?

There's something special about a homemade item, knowing that you have a personal connection with the designer who created it. I have great respect for the artists on Etsy, and am proud to be one of them.

Find Me

Location
Virginia

Email Address
Pearl Springfield

Personal Website
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ZoeGraceBlooms

Store Website
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ZoeGraceBlooms