Inspiration
From Vintage to Wearable Art
By Shawnee · July 27, 2026

Every vintage piece tells a story. Sometimes that story ends with preservation. Sometimes it becomes the beginning of something entirely new. Here's how vintage inspired my journey into creating one-of-a-kind wearable art.
From Vintage to Wearable Art
When people discover Styled by Shawnee, they often assume I started by making jewelry.
The truth is, I started by collecting it.
For years, I've searched estate sales, antique malls, auctions, and online marketplaces for vintage jewelry that deserved another chance. I fell in love with the craftsmanship, the bold designs, and the history behind each piece. Every clasp, rhinestone, and hand-set stone reminded me that jewelry wasn't always made to be disposable.
As my collection grew, so did my appreciation for the artists and designers who created these pieces decades ago.
Eventually, I found myself asking a different question.
Not just, "How can I preserve this?"
But, "What can I create that captures the same sense of wonder?"
That's how Styled by Shawnee began.
Instead of reproducing vintage jewelry, I create one-of-a-kind wearable art inspired by the creativity, craftsmanship, and joy that vintage pieces have always given me. Some designs incorporate vintage findings or hardware, while others are made entirely from modern materials. Every piece is assembled by hand and designed to make a statement.
Vintage jewelry taught me that accessories can transform an outfit.
Wearable art taught me they can also tell your own story.
Today, Daunais Vintage and Styled by Shawnee work together.
One preserves the artistry of the past.
The other creates something new for the future.
Whether you're wearing a seventy-year-old pair of clip-on earrings or a modern one-of-a-kind design, my hope is the same—that you find something that makes you feel confident, expressive, and uniquely yourself.
For me, vintage wasn't the destination.
It was the beginning.