Enchantment of Bygone Days Sparkles at Mrs. Beadsley Vintage Jewelry

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on May 29, 2014
- 6:00 pm

A sparkling treasure trove at Mrs. Beadsley. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Owner Debra Lowenstein behind the counter at Mrs. Beadsley. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Ravishing reds. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

By BONNIE J. GORDON

Los Alamos Daily Post

A visit to Mrs. Beadsley Vintage Jewelry is shopping as it should be. It’s an opportunity to take your time choosing the perfect, unique piece, for yourself or someone else. Owner Debra Lowenstein calls her store the “anit-Walmart.”

“If we are unique, why do we settle for everything being the same?” she said. “Here, it’s about choosing something beautiful to enjoy and then pass down to someone you love. Vintage pieces were built to last and have stood the test of time.”

Prepare to be overwhelmed. Thousands of pieces of jewelry sparkle in every color and style, from Victorian to Art Deco. Lowenstein specializes in vintage art glass jewelry, but expect to see everything from Native American pieces to cameo brooches. Wares range from the 1800s to the 1980s.

A variety of treasures. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

It’s not just about jewelry at Mrs. Beadsely. The shop also carries hats, gloves, clothes, purses, figurines, ephemera, linens, vanity items and whimsical surprises. There’s even a men’s department.

“I buy the best of all kinds of things,” Lowenstein said.

Every corner of the small store is packed with things to discover and appreciate. It’s a bit like a trip to the attic of an ideal grandmother with very, very good taste. Lowenstein is an artist by background and she’s designed a shopping environment that’s a work of art itself and the well-thought out displays make everything easy to find and see.

At Mrs. Beadsley, visitors can experience shopping as it might have been for our foremothers ─ an experience to savor, not a chore to get through. Collectors will find special pieces they’ve been seeking in this well-curated shop, but Lowenstein also enjoys talking to newcomers to the world of vintage.

“I love it when people bring in things and ask me about them, whether or not they are interested in selling them,” she said. “I love answering questions about what I have in the shop. I love sharing what I know.”

Whether or not one is a collector, Lowenstein encourages her customers to think of their jewelry as an investment.

“Vintage jewelry is climbing in price,” she said. “Costume jewelry by name designers can be worth significant money, especially if the pieces are rare.”

Lowenstein first became fascinated with vintage jewelry while working in an antique store. “I was always at the jewelry counter,” she said.

She learned to do repairs and realized her gift for display could be put to good use in her own business. Lowenstein had a kiosk in a mall, then her own store in Santa Fe before opening the Los Alamos shop. She opened Mrs. Beadsley April 1 at 2101 Trinity Dr., Suite G.

Everything in the shop is in top condition and ready to wear. Lowenstein will create custom earrings to match vintage pieces. This is especially nice for those who need pierced earrings, which are very difficult to find as vintage pieces. She also does repairs for people whose prized heirlooms have been damaged.

Another blast from the past at Mrs. Beadsley is the high quality of the service. Lowenstein will help you find exactly what you’re looking for then tell you all about it. She also offers gift wrapping and layaway services.

Mrs Beadsley is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Visit the store online at http://mrsbeadsleyvintage.com/ to get a glimpse of what is available at the store.