Lockdown Lessons

Well it's been some time since I wrote this little blog and what a lot has happened since then, far too much to tell here, but I think for most of us the past year has been something we never dreamed of.

For Olive & Edna of course the main thing has been that everyone of the Vintage Fairs and 1940's Events that we would have sold at were all cancelled. This has meant quite a rethink of our business.

We had already changed from selling mostly collectables and some jewellery to vintage clothing, hats and accessories after many of our customers seemed more interested in what we were wearing than the items for sale. We continued to sell our collectables and a few antiques at places like the Lincoln Vintage Flea Market at the showground and on line and hopefully we will be able to attend these events again one day. In the meantime our 'stock' has been carefully packed away and stored.

However during 2020 Heidi continued to create her amazing cards on Thortful

(find her here https://www.thortful.com/cards/clawson/heidi ) and has returned to her first love Art and is now selling original pieces here https://www.facebook.com/heidiclawsonart/

I have also been busy, firstly sewing piles of wash bags for our front line staff and later making dozens of masks. As the demand for these has slowed down I then turned my attention back to jewellery making.

I made quite a few collage pendants and brooches from reclaimed and broken pieces of vintage jewellery which we took to our vintage events and whilst still collecting original pieces I was fascinated by some 1920's beaded jewellery and bags. One thing lead to another and before I knew it I was researching and creating some beautiful pieces. Some with a nod to the past, but also some very contemporary designs inspired by Kate McKinnen's Contemporary Geometric Beading. And I haven't stopped there! I am now completely immersed in learning all about polymer clay jewellery. I am still stunned by how versatile it is, the amazing things you can create from just one material. I hope eventually to be able to recreate some of the stunning jewels from the 1950s and 1960s. these big bold designs lend themselves so well to this medium,

So even though I seem to have strayed away from our true vintage roots to get through this awful time, I will be offering these for sale both on this site and through our Olive & Edna Facebook page. (There are some on Facebook already).

Many would make delightful Christmas presents so if you are looking for that special one off (reasonably priced) gift then do take a look.

I will be adding some of our accessories, bags, scarves etc. here over the next few days, but as we feel the clothing and hats really need to be tried on we will not be offering those on line at the present time.

Please take care and keep safe, if we all follow the guidelines hopefully we will come out of this.

Jenny x