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Sparkle Session: Bourne Antiques

06/23/20 | jewelry, Sparkle Sessions

Welcome to my latest Sparkle Session, featuring the ladies behind Bourne Antiques.  In case you are new here Sparkle Sessions are a series I started on my blog more than five years ago featuring interviews with female entrepreneurs from all industries and walks of life.  For example, I have interviewed an author, a shoe designer, a prominent chef, the founder of a skincare line, a fashion illustrator, and more! Today I bring you a fantastic mother daughter duo from Texas.  And like a few of my last post Lindsey is a female entrepreneur I know personally, she is also an expat in London, and I have had the chance to get to know here over the past two years through our mutual charity work.  however, today is not about that, it is about their incredible business Bourne Antiques where I interviewed both Lindsey and her mom, Kathy.  Without further ado: 

What are five words you would use to describe yourself? 
Lindsey: Fun, direct, inquisitive, dependable, and helpful . Kathy: Honest, fun, grounded, thrifty, and history buff. 
 
How do those personal characteristics relate to your brand?
We like the finer things but not because they are flashy. We admire the stories, history, and craftsmanship behind older pieces and love sharing that with others. We want others to appreciate the uniqueness and value of what they are purchasing, which will make them proud and happy to wear it. We love working with people of different backgrounds and making people happy. 
 
Collection of Vintage Rings for Sale
Bourne Antique Rings Including this Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Navette Ring
 
What inspired you to start your company nearly four decades ago?
Kathy: Back in 1981, I was a mom with two young children and in need of an outlet. Antiquing had been a treasured hobby passed down from my parents, and so at first I just sold glass and porcelain but no jewelry. At my first show I had just $700 in inventory but sold out of almost everything, and I began to see the opportunity at hand. So I went shopping. Rhinestones were really trending in Houston at the time but I noticed that the trend hadn’t caught on yet at a flea market in Kansas City. There were lots of rhinestones for sale at very cheap prices and so I bought nearly every one that I saw. By the time I left the dealers there were calling me the Rhinestone Queen. I returned to Houston and was able to sell the rhinestones for a good profit. From that time on jewelry became a mainstay of my inventory and the rest is history as they say. 
 
Which types of jewelry do you sell the most of? 
We sell fine (or luxury jewelry) and nicer costume jewelry, and quite an array within that. It’s interesting to see trends come and go and we have enough inventory to ebb and flow with a surprise trend. Rings and bracelets seem to sell more because they are more versatile with different clothing options, but even that can really vary from show to show. It will be interesting to see what is more popular with online sales over time.  
 
Antique and Vintage Bracelets
Antique and Vintage Bracelets including this Turn of the Century Gold and Enamel Bangle Bracelet
 

How are you spreading the word about Bourne Antiques? 
Starting small and mostly grassroots efforts as we get our feet under us (selling online). Lindsey has built social media accounts to reach new customers and Kathy leverages word of mouth at our shows that we do each year to transition some of our regular in-person customers online. We just started to collect email addresses to share news via email– we aren’t the best at self promotion. 

How do you go about collecting pieces?  Are there certain time periods you collect? 
We love a good hunt. Kathy travels the country in search of good deals, and over the years has built up a strong network of dealers she buys from regularly. Flea and antique markets, and antique shows are where you can usually find Kathy on the hunt.  And Lindsey has just started buying near where she lives in London. A vast majority of what we collect is from 1860-1930s (what is deemed antique) due to the craftmanship and history behind the pieces. We also sell some vintage jewelry, but nothing that is mass produced or new. 
 
Gold Vintage Lockets and Pendants
Gold Vintage Lockets and Pendants
 
You are based in Texas but can people only buy in Texas? 
Our in-person shows are only in Texas (Round Top show twice annually is the main one), but online sales have widened up our geography to the US, and we hope soon to sell globally. That is the main reason we started selling online: to reach more people. And with the current climate, it is vital. 
 
What is one lesson you have had to learn the hard way? 
Getting a good deal should always come second to how much you like the piece. If you don’t love a piece, you won’t wear it; even if it was free.
 
What is your favorite piece currently available for purchase? 
Lindsey: This is so tough because the online inventory is all of my favorite pieces. I selected the things that I would love to have myself so it is bittersweet when something sells. If I had to choose, I would go for the vintage gold lion pendant. It’s hefty weight and the fierce design make one feel powerful, but it’s small enough to be quite versatile. I love versatility.  Kathy: The Georgian rose gold diamond necklace (shown below) that we have for a limited time just took my breath away when I saw it. It is hand crafted and truly a work of art. In all my years doing this, I’ve never seen anything close to it. A true knock-em dead piece, and I was able to find it at such a good price that we are able to offer it for a steal (which makes me excited!).  
Georgian Diamond and Rose Gold Statement Necklace
Georgian Diamond and Rose Gold Statement Necklace
 
What is your favorite quote?  
Lindsey: “Jewelry is like the perfect spice. It always compliments what is already there” DVF  Kathy: “You can’t cry on a diamond’s shoulder, and diamonds won’t keep you warm at night, but they’re sure fun when the sun shines.”  Liz Taylor 
 
What makes Bourne Antiques different from other online antique vendors? 
We take as much care with our online customers as we do our in-person customers, making sure they are happy and satisfied knowing they got a good deal on a special piece of jewelry. Our customers receive personal attention and we love helping people find things too– only a small fraction of our inventory is up thus far so we have also worked with customers to find something particular they are looking for. And if we don’t have it, we like to hunt for it!
 
Is there a holy grail piece you are always on the look for?
Kathy: The current holy grail piece is platinum filagree earrings with diamond accents from the 20’s. Antique earrings are harder to find because they are a pair. Lindsey: I am just starting to do the shopping for the business and so I am more of a “know it when I see it” type of shopper, keeping certain trends in mind as I go. Over time I’m sure I will have conquests. 
Earrings from Bourne Antiques Etsy Shop including these Edwardian Gold Bow and Garnet Earrings
Earrings including these Edwardian Gold Bow and Garnet Earrings
 
Where do you see your Bourne Antique in five years?  
Hopefully we will have expanded our online sales and have begun to build out more content to help people understand the stories behind pieces, the history, and also how to be a more knowledgeable antique and vintage jewelry buyer (if that’s what they wish for). Buying jewelry can be overwhelming and we want to help
 
If you had to give advice to other female entrepreneurs, what would you tell them?
Lindsey: The answer to something is always going to be no, unless you ask.  Kathy: Find something you are passionate about and figure out how to have as much of it in your life as possible.
 
Lindsey and Kathy Bourne of Bourne Antiques
The Owners of Bourne Antiques, Lindsey and Kathy Bourne

Lastly, is there anything you would want to tell my readers?
Lindsey: Buying antique/vintage jewelry from a trusted dealer is the trifecta of shopping: it is very eco friendly, usually gets you a lot for your money (much more than mass retail stores), and gives you something storied and unique. Not to mention that you are supporting a small business!   Kathy: On the entrepreneur side of things, take measured chances. You have an idea? Test it out. Tests go well? Figure out the best first step and be relentless to make it happen. Listen to your customers and keep in mind economic and cultural trends. 

What’s a good source for antique jewelry inspiration? 
Lindsey: Other than period movies, the TV show Suits continuously had outstanding antique jewelry on the leading ladies, especially Jessica’s character. It was a great example of how you can wear antique jewelry with current fashion trends. She always looked fabulous!  Kathy: The TV show Bones also had some great antique jewelry, and Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business wears some great pieces too. Also, many museums have outstanding jewelry collections, and are great for learning about the different periods and trends.  
 
– – – – 
 
Thank you Lindsey and Kathy for taking the time for this interview and for the veery thoughtful answer – I learned so much about fine jewelery from your answers!  If you want to see more, you can head to the Bourne Antiques or check out their Etsy shop here! 
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Comments

  1. Molly says

    June 24, 2020 at 7:10 am

    Those lockets remind me of one my grandmother wore every day and treasured. She made sure that it was passed down through the generations and retold the story so many times of how hard my grandfather saved to get the money to buy it for her and she said it was one of her most special possessions and how important it was to her for it to stay in the family.

    Traditions like this don’t happen much anymore but I think they should.

  2. Tabitha says

    June 23, 2020 at 7:51 pm

    How fun to interview a mother-daughter business team.

    Really interesting to read about how they started the business and how they have grown it as well.

    Must be hard to source original product and I wonder if they will get into the business of having replicas made of their favorite pieces on a limited basis.

    Really interesting interview Kelly and I enjoyed reading all about them. Will take a look at the website right now.

  3. Lori says

    June 23, 2020 at 4:56 pm

    Those rings are so cool. Art Deco with a twist. Love them.

    One of them looks like one of my friends engagement ring. She didn’t want a traditional ring but rather something with some history and a one of a kind. These are gorgeous finds. Look forward to looking at their offerings.

  4. pauline says

    June 23, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    That is quite a necklace. A bit much for my taste but I have a few friends who would snap that up in a heartbeat.

    The smaller golf lockets are more my style.

    So original.

  5. Sally says

    June 23, 2020 at 10:09 am

    Oh my goodness these are so original and different. They make such great gifts.

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

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