Welcome to my line of jewelry and more, made from all manner of Victorian era collectibles, as well as vintage and retro jewelry elements.

 

My pieces are all carefully curated to create unforgettable and unexpected pieces of jewelry to wear and to give.

Antique buttons were my jumping off point so many years ago, but I couldn’t stop there! Tintypes, typewriter keys, cufflinks, meerschaum, wine corks, devotional items, gorgeous MOP cutlery, and trinkets with a past full of stories are among the items you will see worked into my jewelry. You will find inspired and curiously designed wall shrines utilizing some unexpected materials, a line of Joan of Arc jewelry and some stunning and moving Memento Mori pieces.

From everyday wear, to stunning statement head-turning pieces, there is something for everyone here, many made with things you didn’t even know existed. That is my daily path, finding beautiful things I have never seen before and designing them in a way to bring you something splendid.

Antique Button Jewelry

The antique/vintage buttons used to make these bracelets, pins, earrings and necklaces range from 50 to 150 years old. Some may be older.

cufflink jewelry
Cufflink Jewelry

Bracelets and earrings are made from men’s antique cufflinks, many of them dating back to the 1800’s. The artistry and materials used created cufflinks that are elegant and unsurpassed by any modern standards.

Typewriter Key Jewelry

The typewriter keys used date back to the early 1900’s. Most of the metal rims on the keys were nickel, with the letters printed on paper and a celluloid or glass disc.

Antique Papers Jewelry

Featuring a blend of antique typewriter keys, bezels, glass, and authentic Victorian Era postcards. You may also see bits of old lace, ribbon and maybe a bit of the writing on the back by the original sender.

watch part jewelry
Watch Part Jewelry

Steampunk style bracelets, pins, and brooches created using vintage ladies’ watch cases as well as pocket watch parts from the early 1900’s.

Memento Mori and Tintype Jewelry

Vintage tintype photographs have an enduring appeal that accentuates these pieces with a direct link to the past.

Joan of Arc jewelry
Joan of Arc Jewelry

Without a doubt, my greatest heroine is Joan of Arc. Channel surfing on a sleepless night, I came across a silent movie called “The Passion of Joan of Arc”. I was not prepared for such a powerful movie. Thus began my obsession with all things Joan.

assemblage necklace
Assemblage Jewelry

Created using a harmonious combination of vintage objects, the resulting jewelry is an elegant and rich collage of remarkable bits, in a statement piece.

Cracker Jack Jewelry

Get nostalgic with these funky bracelets created from Cracker Jack and gumball charms from the 1950’s and 1960’s.

paris back jewelry
Paris Back Studio Jewelry

My signature on this elegant line of altered jewelry is an antique Paris Back button at the clasp.

Devotional Jewelry

Pocket Shrine Devotional Assemblage necklaces are crafted using vintage jewelry of spiritual religious significance. The ‘pocket shrine’ is a concept that dates back to WW1, when soldiers would carry these small devotional items in their pockets onto the battlefields for protection.

merit pin jewelry
Merit Service Pin Jewelry

Many people worked and served, and were rewarded with a small token: a service, merit, or collar pin. I collect them and turn them into these ‘good energy’ bracelets, because they represent the best in people.

remarkable pendants
Remarkable Pendants

Made from all manner of Victorian era collectibles as well as vintage and retro jewelry elements. These statement pendants are all carefully curated to create unforgettable and unexpected pieces of jewelry to wear and to give.

Chatelaine Renouveau

A chatelaine is a collection of vanity, personal care and daily use necessities, clipped to the waist. This Chatelaine Renouveau jewelry is presented as a re-creation with original vintage to antique accessories; a revisit of the Victorian Era go-to kit for women.

curious wall shrine
Curious Wall Shrines

Create an inspirational corner with a one-of-a-kind wall shrine / shadowbox of antique and vintage memorabilia. A coming together of so many old and interesting pieces. These individual antique components, lovingly collected over time, have been patiently waiting for each others’ company.

buttons for creators and collectors
Creators and Collectors

Here are some great starter collections of antique buttons for collectors and artists.

Laura Bergeron began OldNouveau as a beaded jewelry business in 1993, but soon turned to silversmithing .

“However, a competing passion for antiques, in particular all things Victorian (including our home), led to a perfect blend for jewelry design. I have most definitely found my niche in this work. The beautiful old things I use to create my jewelry include antique buttons, antique cufflinks, Victorian era postcard ephemera, 1920’s typewriter keys, and sterling silver salt spoons.”

  • No reproduction buttons or typewriter keys have been used. Each piece of jewelry carries the energy of the Victorian Era to you.
  • Antique buttons, typewriter keys and cufflinks are one of a kind. The items you see pictured here are the items you will receive. Exact duplicates, due to the nature of these antique treasures, cannot be ordered. However, should you desire more of a certain item, please e-mail us and we can hand select or create one or more items made with very similar components.
  • If you are returning to the website looking for an item that does not appear to be offered any more, it has been sold. Another similar item will soon be posted.
  • More answers to FAQs are available on the Help page.
The handcrafted jewelry on display here is for sale in my Etsy store.

  • Jewelry handcrafted show
  • colorful buttons display holder
  • Books about buttons
  • Vintage button cards
  • vintage watch parts
  • vintage typewriter keys
  • jewelry studio work area

Explore my jewelry that has a vintage elegance reminiscent of the by-gone Victorian Era

No reproduction buttons or typewriter keys have been used. Each piece of jewelry carries the energy of the Victorian Era to you.

Recent Jewelry Designs