The sassy siblings behind etc… Modern Vintage Jewelry are dynamos when it comes to trend-spotting and trend-setting. Long before the whole idea of re-purposing and re-imagining the old and forgotten became the trend du jour, sisters Liz and Kim Teich were actively found hunting through estate sales (in and around their native Manhattan) picking up old vintage watches and trinkets that they found inspirational-worthy. The results are a growing collection (with a growing list of celeb followers – we promised not to tell, guys) of true one-of-a-kind pieces that bridge time and space and that we expect to see on the pages of Lucky or Black Book very, very soon.  

A&F: Tell us about your creations.

etc…: We update vintage and antique pieces into modern designs. Every piece is one-of-a-kind with restored and reconstructed pieces, which range from the 1800's up to 1980, including the chains and recreated in new ways: watches on necklaces, watchbands as chunky bracelets, cuff links as earrings, chandelier crystals and foreign coins no longer in circulation used as adornment, etc.

A&F: When did you get into vintage?

etc…: For as long as I can remember, I have been creating and selling something of the sort. My mother was a jewelry designer and my parents were antique collectors, so I was dragged to various flea markets and antique fairs. When I was a kid, I often set up a small table beside my parents to sell my own handmade jewelry out of my mother's old beads. I like to believe my style has evolved quite a bit since then.

A&F: How did the company get its start?

etc…: I started "etc…" when I was in high school and sold handbags that I reworked out of recycled materials, such as my father's ties from the 70's and 80's, and my mother's vintage buttons. While interning at a popular fashion company in college, I was appalled by the waste of left over materials. I salvaged whatever I could and paired them with other finds from flea markets and antique shops.

A&F: How'd you get from handbags to jewelry?

etc…: It eventually moved to jewelry when I discovered amazing heirlooms and jewelry supplies that were owned by my jewelry designer mother, who passed away when I was young. I began making charm necklaces for myself out of these pieces that were collecting dust and soon everyone I knew wanted one. I was working as an art director and before I knew it, I had women lining up at my cubicle to purchase my jewelry.

A&F: So when did etc.. go from a side passion to your main occupation?

etc…: In 2007, I decided to quit my job and focus more on my growing jewelry line, as well as fashion styling. I currently am based in Brooklyn, and my sister, Kim, who is based in Boston, joined the company this past year. We are both freelance wardrobe/fashion stylists, so finding unique and interesting designs is part of our background.

A&F: What inspires your creativity?

etc…: The biggest inspiration to my creativity is my mother. She took so much pride in the heirlooms that she wore and the jewelry that she crafted. I am able to give homage to her through my signature swirl wire design on all of my pieces, which was the last thing she taught me before she passed. Watches are a major theme in my designs because my grandfather wooed my grandmother with a watch. She was actually engaged to be married to another man and my grandfather persistently visited her at her parents' candy shop where she worked. When he gave her a gift of a watch, she left the other man to marry my grandfather. They were together for 60 years until he passed away on their anniversary. Upon his death, she gave me the one piece of jewelry he used to wear: a watchband he rigged to be a bracelet.

A&F: What are your future aspirations?

etc…: I hope to continue to make jewelry that I want to wear/own and see more people walking around with my designs on (that always makes my day!) and continue to expand, while staying true to our company.   

Check out the amazing creations of etc… this Saturday at the Indoor Artist & Designer Market.