Blynn Nelson

“Modern Take on Pearls” features pearl and Lucite neck with varying strands and vintage gold tone and white enamel brooch.Little did she know as a child that a box of vintage brooches her grandmother had given her would one day launch Blynn’s profession as a jewelry artist.

“I kept them in that box for years, pulling them out occasionally, wondering how I could incorporate them into my own unique style,” Blynn says. “They demanded to be worn.”

As an adult, she eventually used one of the brooches to fashion a necklace.

“I combined it with glass beads, turquoise and a vintage bracelet that I had found at a flea market,” she says.

The piece received rave reviews from friends and strangers.

“I wore it out one night in Saratoga Springs with my friends and was literally accosted by women of all ages,” she says. “My friend said, ‘you need to make these,’ so I did.”

That was five years ago. And today, Blynn, an RIT grad who lives in Rochester, has built a successful business she calls Reckless Necklace.

This is no ordinary jewelry. Blynn’s work looks like something out of a Tim Burton film. Whimsical, romantic, exaggerated and glamorous. All at once.

Blynn calls this piece “Eyes On Me." Most of her jewelry is priced at $300 or less.Blynn“I get my inspiration from wherever I am—the things around me,” Blynn says. “It could be fabrics, shapes, colors, art, interiors, fashion, or movies.”

She has a new collection in the works for a trunk show at Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery.

“I’m creating six necklaces especially for a new exhibit coming to the MAG, Psychedelic Optical & Visionary Art Since the 1960's,” She says.

“I’ve incorporated vintage pieces with crazy materials and in crazy colors. Really fun!”

Judging from her past success, they won't be around for long.

“I've sold necklaces right off my neck more than once,” Blynn says.

It's all part of the charm.

See more: www.recklessnecklace.com or on Facebook

Say hi: blynn@recklessnecklace.com

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If you're in the Rochester, NY, area, Blynn's collection will be showcased as part of Rochester Fashion Week from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1 at Four Walls Gallery, 34 Elton St., and again from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave. A Trunk Show at The Gallery Store will include selected pieces from Blynn's collection Sept. 30 through Oct. 2. Click here for details.