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Three Objects in Character / Personifying little treasures with Kind History
If you've had the singular pleasure of thumbing through our vintage curio case at Cosimo, eyeing the glittering treasures, you have Libby Hodgkins of Kind History to thank. Since her recent move to Savannah, Libby has built a thriving business from her years of sourcing charms, trinkets, and tchotchkes to transform into one of a kind charm jewelry. Kind History uniquely approaches vintage and dead stock by giving each client the opportunity to play designer, choosing how their custom piece is curated and assembled. What started as a pop-up business has expanded into an appointment based studio offering, online ordering, and collaborations with a diverse set of local retailers.
Libby's collection spans decades of hunting and centuries of history. A few of our favorite pieces that have passed through the shop include a secretary's pencil complete with lead to write with, a sewing kit charm in the shape of a walnut, and a telescoping cigarette holder on a chain, to be worn around the neck for easy access.
In light of our upcoming Kind History pop up at Cosimo, Libby spent some time with us recounting the stories behind some of her favorite finds. Read on for a slice of history, personified.
The Vesta Case
Your friend who always has a light, even though she doesn't smoke.
Sourced in a Charleston antique mall, this English sterling silver vesta case was originally made to carry and strike matches sometime around the turn of the century. It was a practical object, meant to live on a chain around the neck of a sailor, keeping his matches dry at sea. Today, its original job is mostly obsolete, so see it as a charm, strung on a silk cord and tied in a bow. Carried around for no particular reason, unless you filled with matches or a secret.
The Vesta Case Girl
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Reads The New Yorker
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Listens to Sade, Cocteau Twins, and Smerz
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Watches The Doom Generation, Chungking Express, and Party Girl
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Orders a martini at the bar, and a beer at the club
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Wears a little black dress, a pair of Alohas sandals, and a men's watch
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Her ideal Saturday involves the farmer's market and a long lunch that turns into drinks.
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." — Oscar Wilde
The Beetle
The rough around the edges but HOT guy you can't help falling for (we all have).
These Victorian sterling silver beetle charms were discovered at a flea market in Florida, repurposed from a damaged piece of Victorian jewelry. The Victorians were fascinated by natural history, collecting specimens and turning everything from beetles to butterflies into jewelry.
The Beetle Boy
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Reads The Paris Review and old issues of Fantastic Man
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Listens to The Velvet Underground, Cameron Winter, and LCD Soundsystem
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Watches Paris, Texas and After Hours
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Orders any beer that comes in a small, lil glass
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Wears perfectly faded Levis with a loafer
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Eats what is commonly referred to as Hot Girl Dinner (canned fish, crackers, olives, pickled vegetables)
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Knows where to find the best cocktail in town, but would rather be somewhere with a Jukebox
"I would always rather be happy than dignified." — Charlotte Brontë
The Mariner
The one who has a suitcase that is always half-packed.
This Tasmanian Maireener, or "Mariner," shell necklace is made from tiny iridescent shells and likely dates to the Victorian era. Maireener shell necklaces are associated with the skilled shellwork of Aboriginal Tasmanian women and are highly rare today.
The Mariner (Apartment Complex) Girl
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Reads Joan Didion and A Field Guide to Getting Lost
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Listens to Joni Mitchell and Lana Del Ray (Duh)
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Watches Plein Soleil, Lost in Translation, and Beaches
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Orders wine "Au Piscine" (with an ice cube… the french do it!)
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Wears a sunbleached oversized linen shirt, espadrilles, and a Jane beach bag.
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Eats grilled fish with lemon.
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Know the best hotel lobbies and the closest, quiet beach.
"I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am. I am. I am." — Sylvia Plath
From Cosimo…
Kind History will pop up at Cosimo on Thursday September 10th and Friday September 11th from 11am-6pm. Join us in store to build your own charm jewelry and shop our curated collection of vintage.
In other news, Emily and Kelley are heading to NYC this week to buy for Spring/Summer 27 and we can't wait to show you what we find! Follow along on instagram for previews from the showrooms. A few brands we're visiting: Deiji Studios, KkCo, 6397 News, Alohas, Siedres, Damson Madder, and more familiar faces. Let us know what you're craving for the spring and we will deliver <3
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New Store Hours!!! We couldn't get enough of you so we opened an extra day…. Cosimo will now be open every day except Tuesday (but if you ask nicely we will host you for private shopping appointments any day of the week).
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A new and improved shopcosimo.com is live thanks to our friends and collaborators web designer Jennifer Blaine and photographer Cameron White (featured on this week's substack). We're gearing up for fall arrivals and dreaming of sweater weather. We know you are too... we're here to help you moodboard layering despite the triple digit temperature read.
Come see us in store this weekend, we have the cutest collectible Cosimo folding fans for LDW gifts with purchase!
xoxo,
Cosimo