Baubles and beads. Charms and chains. Clip ons and cast offs.

It’s this knot of memories and nostalgia that draws the designers of Vintage City Classics. (VCC if you’re into monograms.)

The company refurbishes vintage jewelry and apparel and dresses it up for another night on the town. Founders (or shall we say, finders) Jen DesLauriers and Holly Luke created VCC two years ago.

“Ever since Jen and I have known each other, we’ve talked jewelry, jewelry, jewelry. We love the vintage pieces,” Holly said.

But it didn’t stay just jewelry or just Jen and Holly for long. This spring, clothing designer, Joan Hector joined VCC. Joan had recently created a new line of clothing from old thrift store finds. Her recycled attire fit perfectly with VCC’s vision.

The refashioned accessories and apparel spring from classic pieces. The ladies of VCC dissect the pieces and parts and artistically put them together to make something new.

“I look for quality. I’m big on color and big on fabric. Sometimes I find the ugliest shirt or this horrible, hideously oversized piece, but the textile is wonderful. Someone just made the wrong thing out of it,” Joan explained.

Joan graduated from the University of Minnesota’s College of Design. But she’s been sewing her whole life.

Holly learned the vintage jewelry biz from an aunt who’s been selling antiques for 20 years. Jen and Holly, however, are self-taught jewelry makers who have an eye for what could be. They cull through estate sales, thrift stores and tag sales for quality finds.

“We use clip-on earrings as charms, string back together broken pieces, switch up clasps, swap out beads. Nothing is wasted. People donate jewelry to thrift stores sometimes because they’re sick of looking at it. Or it’s out of style. We see the beauty and potential in things. We give everything a new life,” Jen says. 

Take the necklace Jen modeled recently. A statement piece that’s a chunky layering of golden charms, rich jewel tones and braided chains. If you’re shy on fashion spend, an unconventional piece like Jen’s can expand a wardrobe. It’s an evening twist for that office shift. Or personality for that no-name polo.

“VCC always has a retro feeling that’s feminine,” Jen says. “We look for what we like. As soon as we make it, we usually sell it.”

And sell it they do. VCC started as boutique days in friends’ houses. Their sweet creations are now featured at the popular urban haunts, Via’s Vintage, Ivy and V-State. VCC earrings and bracelets range in price from $25 to $65. Some necklaces have sold for upwards of $165.

“Women will splurge on something they really love. Something unique. Something they’ll have forever,” Holly says, "But we always have a dollar basket at our boutique sales. We don’t want anyone leaving empty handed.”

Be on the guest list for the next VCC boutique.