Vintage trinkets and found treasures have always guided the aesthetic of Aimee Munford’s line Garnett Jewelry, but she never lets her affection for all that’s old get, well, old. Over the years, the Virginia designer has played with wax casting and metalworking, knife charms and flowers. Here’s a look at how her handiwork has evolved through some of her favorite pieces from her archives. —carlye wiselFall 2005“This shell and gold chain necklace is from the very beginning. I really enjoyed working with a lot of natural materials when I wasn’t working with vintage trinkets.”Spring 2007“When you’re in an antique store and you’re buying something, usually it has some importance to someone along the way—that’s why it survived. So, I was playing around with the idea of retelling a story through other people’s bits and pieces—which completely changes the story since it’s my interpretation.”Fall 2007“This trophy necklace is the first piece I ever cast, and I did this one using the lost wax technique. I worked on it for months getting the wax carving perfect, and I ended up casting it in solid gold. I may never be able to part with this piece, but with the cost of gold what it is nowadays, I could probably buy a small car with what I could sell it for!”Spring 2008“During this phase of my design I was really into combining vintage and antique stuff with newer materials. I loved those little knives—I got obsessed with them, and every time I was out and would see one, I would buy it. For some reason I was into teeth at that time too—when you’re losing teeth as a kid, parents will save them, so I kind of liked the idea of something found along with a momento. The two together just seemed sort of crazy, and I liked that they are something you’re not really going to see someone else wearing.”Summer 2010“I liked how with the different stones I was working with at that time—they might all be fluorite—were all a little bit different. Some are more purple, some are more turquoise-y, and I think that makes them more unique.”Fall 2010“This was the beginning of my crazy geometric-shape phase that I’m still sort of stuck in. I was really into triangles and liked basic, simple shapes.” Aimee’s back! Get her latest berry-hued edition while the getting’s good.

Some of the hues Aimee is hot on right now with one of the swatches that speaks to her.With a little one on the way [Ed: now born!], Garnett Jewelry designer Aimee Munford is getting really (surprisingly!) chipper. “I think being pregnant has drawn on my playful side,” she confesses. “The bright colors, the fun little shapes and stuff—I’ve been inspired by the planning process.” Take a look at how her prenatal-ness has impacted her work. —carlye wisel “I was feeling like I was stuck in a rut, doing so much in just gold and silver. I loved the dullness of the brass mixed with the super bright colors—some of them are almost neon.”“I like the way these colors work together…but how the colors are strong enough that just by themselves, they work as well.”“God, I went through so much paint before I settled on these colors. They just feel like the epitome of spring—just bright and fun.”“The yellow I used is a really bright yellow—not a quiet yellow.”“It just amazes me that something that started from a really simple piece can be transformed in so many different ways and take on so many different looks.”  Score the latest Garnett edition! This trio of bracelets is BERRY rad.