My Nostalgic Soul
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Charming Charlie - Gothic Frozen Charlie Angel Necklace: Antique Bisque Doll, Ribcage, Skull, Cross Heart Charms
Charming Charlie - Gothic Frozen Charlie Angel Necklace: Antique Bisque Doll, Ribcage, Skull, Cross Heart Charms
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Charlie drove his sleigh back through the snow, his ice-bound Charlotte by his side. He reached the cot, head bent low, and brought inside his silent bride. The family wept. The fire burned. And Charlie stood at the edge of it all, holding the only thing left of her — her necklace, pressed against his chest. He wore it without rest. Seasons turned. The grief carved a canyon in his frame. Every breeze invoked her name. And when the darkness finally won, they found him at her grave in the snow, the tin heart stilled against his chest. Charlotte and Charlie, laid to rest.
He deserved to be remembered too, and so I gave him wings.
An antique bisque doll body, head intact and still, flanked by two large silver angel wings with a ribcage charm at his chest. Every charm on this necklace carries the weight of that story. The cross for the faith that couldn't save either of them. The death's-head moth for the soul in transit. The cameo for Charlotte's face, always present. The skull for what grief does when it has nowhere to go. The bones, the roses, the pearls — beauty and decay, inseparable. A bisque arm fragment, because some things are found in pieces. Black faceted beads and white glass pearls thread through it all on a silver chain, heavy and deliberate. Statement-sized, unmistakably one of a kind.
Read Charlie's story here: Frozen Charlie
Details:
- Antique bisque Frozen Charlie doll body, circa late 1800s
- Silver angel wings, ribcage charm at chest
- White glass pearls and black faceted beads
- Silver-toned chain
- One of a kind — when it's gone, it's gone
- Handcrafted by Gwendalynn Grey
From my nostalgic soul to yours. — Gwendalynn Grey
Care, Wear & Provenance
Care, Wear & Provenance
A little history, a little care
Every piece I make is built by hand from things that have already lived a life. Antique bisque doll fragments, old keys and photographs, lace, silk ribbon, chandelier crystals and vintage beads, all put back together into something you can wear. They're sturdier than they look (the bisque in particular), but they are still old, and a little care goes a long way toward keeping them beautiful.
Wearing your piece
- Put your jewelry on last, after perfume, lotion and hairspray, and take it off before you bathe, swim, sleep or do anything strenuous.
- Keep the whole piece away from water and harsh chemicals and high heat.
- Be gentle with the bisque and the other fragile parts. A drop onto a hard floor or a hard knock can chip or crack them.
Cleaning
A soft, dry cloth is all it needs. Please don't use jewelry dips, silver polish or an ultrasonic cleaner, and don't rub the bisque with a polishing cloth, because they can strip old finishes, lift paint and loosen joints. Old silver-tone and brass metal darkens with time. That's normal, a naturally protective coating, and it's part of the look, so there's no need to polish it away.
Storing it
Keep each piece on its own in a dry place out of direct sunlight, so nothing scratches or tangles. Pieces with ribbon or lace keep their shape best laid flat, and the box or pouch yours came in makes a good home for it.
Please note
These are keepsakes for grown-ups, not toys, and they aren't meant for children. They have small parts that can come loose, and some old metal findings may possibly contain lead or nickel. If your skin is sensitive to base metals, you may want to wear yours over clothing or for shorter stretches.
Provenance and materials
Every bisque doll in my Frozen Charlotte and Frozen Charlie pieces is an authentic antique. The rest of a piece is a mix. Some parts are antique or vintage, like keys, lace, photographs and beads, and some are newer replicas. When I know how old something is or where it came from, I say so in that piece's description. Otherwise I can't promise the exact age, maker or history of every part.
Because these pieces are made from old things, they can show small variations, signs of age and little imperfections. I think that's a big part of their charm, and it's what makes each one the only one of its kind. That's why they chose you and me.
From My Nostalgic Soul to yours. — Gwendalynn Grey
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