Mini portraits add charm to bracelets
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
When sisters Chantal Keith and Aisha Denney of Nu'uanu rummaged through the carefully preserved memorabilia saved by their late Vovo (that's the Portuguese expression for Tutu, or grandmother), "it was like holding history in our hands," Keith said.
Sisters Chantal Keith and Aisha Denney refer to their nostalgic charm bracelets as "vintage portrait jewelry."
Vovo, Florinda Ostermeyer, "kept everything carefully put away," Keith said. The sisters discovered a treasure trove of memorabilia: menus from voyages on the Lurline, Depression glass, hand crocheted linens, a 1931 steamship pass, even shopping lists saved throughout Vovo's 90-plus years.
The sisters, who now work out of Vovo's home in Nu'uanu, were inspired to immortalize their family's past. They began crafting nostalgic charm bracelets for family and friends. They refer to it as "vintage portrait jewelry" and call their company of two Florinda's Treasures.
The idea is to make each charm look like a miniature framed portrait, like you might see on grandma's grand piano. "People can wear a little of their family history. It's really special," Keith said.
The miniature silver frames were easy to conceive but difficult to manufacture. After much trial and error, they found an overseas jewelry maker who could craft the frames to their specifications.
Originally each bracelet was custom made with personal photos and memorabilia: wedding photos, baby and pet pictures and nostalgic events and places were immortalized in the little charms. Subsequently, the sisters created themed bracelets such as "The Traveler," with photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, a pagoda and airplane.
Lo Kaimuloa, owner of Riches Kahala, was the first to recognize the potential. Lucie Talbot-Holu of Silver Moon Emporium in Hale'iwa found the jewelry an ideal addition to her merchandise mix, while the Lodge at Koele gave them an outlet on Lana'i.
Prices range from $135 to $500 for bracelets and $165 and up for pendants, depending on how many frames are involved. Custom pieces can be arranged through Riches or Silver Moon.
Macy's will offer Florinda's Treasures (those with a Hawaiiana theme, not custom work) later this year.
The lines of responsibility are clear-cut: Keith handles the design and assembling of the jewelry, while Denney is responsible for the marketing and business ends.
Keith said she always wanted to be a fashion designer, even as a student at Mid-Pacific. "But I never had the confidence in myself," she said. "This business just all came together." And now, she's loving it.
