New Life for Old Treasures
Words by Christine Van Dyk
Photos by Ansley Schrimser
Shiny baubles spill across the table, forming a mountain of clip-on earrings, bangle bracelets, and art deco rings. Eagerly combing through the decades-old collection are four generations of sisters, cousins, mothers, and granddaughters, gathered to honor the woman whose picture sits front and center.
“Gammie was the matriarch of our family, and she loved jewelry,” Courtney Quarles said. “I grew up playing dress-up in her jewelry box, and her pieces are important to all of us.”
After Gammie passed, the women wanted to honor her memory, so they turned to Ansley Schrimsher, owner of Dora Mae Jewelry.
“Her pieces were obviously beloved,” Ansley said, “but many were dated and needed new life. When something is out-of-fashion or broken, people can’t see what it could become.”
When jewelry is tied to memories, all it takes is imagination to create a modern heirloom: A broken necklace decorates a leather cuff, a cocktail ring is born from an old pendant, shoe-clips become clip-on earrings—proof that forgotten things can be beautiful again.
Dora Mae may be a popular place to reinvent cherished heirlooms, but she was also a real woman. A child of the Great Depression, Ansley’s grandmother had no more than a third-grade education, yet she was a poet, a seamstress, and a pianist who played by ear. Her spirit lives on in every piece the artist creates.
“She inspired beauty,” Ansley said. “Instead of writing names on place cards, she’d write a poem for each person at the table. She made everything special, and each piece we create is named from a line in her poetry book.”
When Dora Mae died, Ansley took some of her favorite pieces and elevated them into modern jewelry with a vintage soul. The meaningfulness of those pieces and the joy they inspired were soon noticed by others.
“I started getting ziplock bags of people’s heirlooms in my mailbox,” Ansley said. “They had hand-written notes saying how much they loved what I’d done and asking if I could help with their treasures.”
It’s an inspired way of salvaging the past and turning memories into things that last.
“There’s so much stuff we wear once and throw away,” Ansley said. “My grandmother taught me it’s better to have a single meaningful piece than a drawer full of fast fashion.”
Today, people visit Ansley’s Orlando studio for workshops, such as the one hosted for Gammie’s family. From birthday parties to wedding showers to team-building events, they soon discover how easy it is to make magic when it begins with meaning. The next time you’re in Central Florida, stop by or reach out to ask how you can send in your pieces for a collaboration.
“It’s about more than making something to wear,” Ansley said. “When sentiment meets personal style, it creates this whole other energy. It becomes the story you share with the world about who you are and what’s dear to you.”
Transformation Tips
Why have jewelry that’s meaningful but never leaves the drawer? Let these tips transform your vintage pieces into fashion-forward favorites.
Be True to Yourself — When creating a piece, don’t stray far from your aesthetic. If you favor dainty pieces, keep it delicate. If you like bold things, give yourself permission to be over-the-top.
Gather Everything — A broken necklace, Lucite earrings, grandpa’s old signet ring—everything can be transformed. The less you throw out, the better!
Break it Down — Large items such as multistrand necklaces, long earrings, and multi-stone rings can be broken apart to create several pieces.
Costume Party — If transforming fine jewelry scares you, start off with a meaningful costume piece that reflects your style.
Mix Media — Don’t be afraid to mix pieces that don’t seem to go together, such as a turquoise band and a diamond solitaire. “My sense of style is whimsical and colorful,” Ansley said. “I juxtapose eras and materials. I love to show the layers in my style and in my personality."
Think Outside the Box — Maybe the piece isn’t something you’ll wear, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fabulous. Crafting can give unwanted baubles new life. Mismatched earrings become wine glass charms, an old locket is a focal point on a DIY ornament, and attached to grosgrain ribbon, vintage jewelry makes the ideal bookmark.
Take Second Chances — Sometimes a piece brings up complicated feelings, such as in the case of divorce or death. Repurposing can give new life to something painful. Plus, upcycling precious stones keeps them in the family—even when the family looks a bit different.
“As someone who has been through a divorce, I know that pain,” Ansley said. “You can sell your ring for ten percent of its value or reinvent it. This allows you to honor what it represents—a season of your life that’s given you great things and made you who you are.”