Nostalgia

"Nostalgia paints a smile on the stony face of the past."

-Mason Cooley

Bonjour,

One of my favorite pastimes is shopping the flea markets for antique treasures. Many times I am searching for pieces to add to my personal collection; but, usually, I hope to locate materials to be used in my handmade jewelry.  When I spot something I like, I must wonder, 'Is it the beauty of the items themselves that I find attractive, or is it the nostalgia they elicit?' What exactly am I buying?

It is a fact that nostalgia has become a marketable emotion, which might be demonstrated by my little business, if I am totally honest.  We are offered "retro" fashion and furnishings, especially appealing to the younger set, and "vintage" everything to appeal to the baby boomers.  Everyone seems to have a favorite period of time that evokes pleasant memories.

Sometimes we are fortunate enough to be able to purchase originals, but many reproductions are on the market, often with a modern twist; and, even factoring in inflation, compared to their earlier counterparts, they carry a hefty price tag.  We are gladly willing to pay whatever the cost to purchase that warm fuzzy feeling along with that sofa, lamp or fringed jacket.  

Ralph Lauren, Spring 2011,  Peter Stigler, Photographer

Even television capitalizes on the nostalgia trend.

Mad Men -- AMC

I must admit that some of my most memorable purchases are riches from another era-- a Limoges lamp, an agate watch fob, an antique holy water font.  Was it the beautiful hand-painted roses on the lamp or the artistry exhibited in the fob and the font that attracted me?  Or was it the glimpse into the past that turned my head? Was it a glance into a simpler time, a slower pace, that beckoned?

Is there a special item of yours that makes you smile with the feeling of nostalgia?  I'd love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts.

In my next post, I'll share with you a piece of jewelry I made for myself that always makes me nostalgic. It's the perfect pick-me-up when I'm feeling melancholy.  Until then, you may find a sample of something similar in my shop.  Just click on the link above.  Merci. 

Adieu.