Spring Break
Old material becomes jewelry at Second Glance Annex
Alumna prepares, sells handmade jewelry at local, chic shop
Brandie Barnett
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Diversions
With the economy plummeting and natural resources disappearing in the last few years, reusing old and recycled material has slowly become more and more popular. Tossing plastic bottles away into the green recycling bins or rinsing them out and using them as water bottles has become second nature for many people.
Now, even in the world of clothing and accessories, recycling material has become more accepted and even fashionable. Jeans, dresses, tops and skirts are just a few of the items that can be made from old, worn out clothing and fabric. Even jewelry can be fashioned from simple, ordinary things found lying around the house.
As a case in point, I recently took a trip to the Second Glance Annex in downtown Corvallis to go see a jewelry showing put on by a small jewelry-making business. The showing took place Friday, April 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. When I arrived shortly before 5 p.m., the small store located on Jefferson Avenue seemed rather empty as of the moment, save for a few shoppers. However, by the time I left, the place was nearly packed with shoppers and exhibit attendees, which only goes to show how popular the consignment shop is among Corvallis residents.
There were three displays of jewelry set up when I first entered the shop. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings lined sections of the walls and clustered in bowls and stands on table tops throughout the small store. A stand near the register offered refreshments that included chips, hummus, drinks and other snack foods.
Many of the necklaces and earrings seemed to be made with earthy-toned stones - nothing too vibrant or eccentric - and they seemed to fit right in with the calming, quiet atmosphere of the Annex. I was fortunate to have arrived early enough to get a chance to speak with the designer of the jewelry before the store was filled with eager customers.
Lindsay Hopper, who runs her own company, Loulie Belle - Fabulous Jewels … (for the girl who has everything!) - designed and created the jewelry herself and recently turned her hobby into a business. She showed me around the stands set up among the racks of clothing.
Many pieces were vintage style and were made with stone beads and metal clasps that Hopper fashioned herself. Hopper stated that she tried, when possible, to use old and recycled materials for her creations. In fact, several pieces on display were made using old stamps, old buttons, reused pieces of glass and natural dyes. One piece was even made using an old, yellow pool ball.
Hopper, an alumna of Oregon State, grew up in Corvallis and attended school for a degree in psychology. She started making mobiles in college using old pieces of glass and the like. This hobby stemmed into creating jewelry.
Living in Fort Collins, Colo., Hopper has been in business for three years selling her hand-made jewelry at various home shows and online at www.louliebelleshop.etsy.com. This was her first showing at The Annex.
Brandie Barnett
diversions@dailybarometer.com
Now, even in the world of clothing and accessories, recycling material has become more accepted and even fashionable. Jeans, dresses, tops and skirts are just a few of the items that can be made from old, worn out clothing and fabric. Even jewelry can be fashioned from simple, ordinary things found lying around the house.
As a case in point, I recently took a trip to the Second Glance Annex in downtown Corvallis to go see a jewelry showing put on by a small jewelry-making business. The showing took place Friday, April 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. When I arrived shortly before 5 p.m., the small store located on Jefferson Avenue seemed rather empty as of the moment, save for a few shoppers. However, by the time I left, the place was nearly packed with shoppers and exhibit attendees, which only goes to show how popular the consignment shop is among Corvallis residents.
There were three displays of jewelry set up when I first entered the shop. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings lined sections of the walls and clustered in bowls and stands on table tops throughout the small store. A stand near the register offered refreshments that included chips, hummus, drinks and other snack foods.
Many of the necklaces and earrings seemed to be made with earthy-toned stones - nothing too vibrant or eccentric - and they seemed to fit right in with the calming, quiet atmosphere of the Annex. I was fortunate to have arrived early enough to get a chance to speak with the designer of the jewelry before the store was filled with eager customers.
Lindsay Hopper, who runs her own company, Loulie Belle - Fabulous Jewels … (for the girl who has everything!) - designed and created the jewelry herself and recently turned her hobby into a business. She showed me around the stands set up among the racks of clothing.
Many pieces were vintage style and were made with stone beads and metal clasps that Hopper fashioned herself. Hopper stated that she tried, when possible, to use old and recycled materials for her creations. In fact, several pieces on display were made using old stamps, old buttons, reused pieces of glass and natural dyes. One piece was even made using an old, yellow pool ball.
Hopper, an alumna of Oregon State, grew up in Corvallis and attended school for a degree in psychology. She started making mobiles in college using old pieces of glass and the like. This hobby stemmed into creating jewelry.
Living in Fort Collins, Colo., Hopper has been in business for three years selling her hand-made jewelry at various home shows and online at www.louliebelleshop.etsy.com. This was her first showing at The Annex.
Brandie Barnett
diversions@dailybarometer.com
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