how it all started: A love letter to northern michigan
In a small harbor town in Northern Michigan sits a jewelry shop that changed my life from the moment I walked in the door.
In 2014 I was invited by my aunt to come work in her jewelry shop, which primarily hosted her own jewelry designs, but also featured estate or “vintage” jewelry, sourced from all over the world. At that time I knew almost nothing about fine jewelry, but I was in college and saw that this was the perfect way to make extra money in the summer. So, I accepted.
Harbor Springs is one of those towns that seems frozen in time, almost untouched by the chaos of the rest of the world. The streets are lined with flowers, it sits on a clear blue lake, and (above all else) there are no franchises allowed in city limits- creating a truly unique energy. This adorable jewelry shop, located in the middle of Main Street, matches that ambiance perfectly. As did the jewelry itself- one of a kind, timeless, and absolutely rare.
Since 2014, for the next 5 summers, I would come back, staying in the guest house located upstairs of the shop, overlooking lake Michigan. It was like a dream world, filled with art, natural beauty and creativity. Over that time, my relationship with jewelry grew deep- and my love for all things vintage was doubled by my new found love of vintage and antique jewelry. I started to understand vintage jewelry in a way that reflected these surroundings- associating it with nature and an older, deeper way of life. It inspired me.
It wasn’t just the way that vintage jewelry looked- which I acknowledge, aesthetics are a huge part. It was the fact that you could hold a ring in your hand, and know that it has had many lives, seeing so many places and changes throughout history. It’s design and craftsmanship literally can no longer be done- a moment in time that still lingers. It is totally unique- and meant to enrich your life with it’s wisdom. It has a level of pride and class that does not have hidden agendas- as pure as 24k gold.
Perhaps above all else, is the idea that this jewelry will not be wasted. It will continue to live on, in power and beauty. It will not be considered trash, melted down, or altered. This ring will not be replaced by a new one, pulling precious materials from an already uneasy environmental landscape. This ring stands sustainable, unique and excited to enjoy another chapter of its beautiful life.
With inspiration from the natural beauty of Michigan, and the experience developed at this shop- I pressed forward in life, never forgetting about my love of vintage jewelry. I traveled parts of Europe, traveled the states on a 4 month road trip, had many jobs, and eventually started a solar company with my fiance in 2018 in Chicago IL. In 2021 I decided to make the transition back to vintage jewelry- and took out the LLC for WCG with a goal to share the beauty of vintage with anyone that I could. Thank you for being here, and I hope to share that beauty with you.
-Sevi