Many years ago, a young girl began a collection of all things small. She was always intrigued by the little things in nature. The agates along a winding gravel road. The tiny feather left behind by a bird. The beautiful cancelled stamp on a letter. The broken family heirloom necklace, long since forgotten in the attic of the quaint farmhouse she grew up in. Mother of Pearl or cut steel buttons from her Grandmothers button tin, were also something this young girl loved to run her fingers through. There were many other unusual things of beauty, that were also culled and collected along the years of this young girls life.

Flash forward to 19+ years ago, and this young girl, was now a young Mom. A Mom that was blessed to raise her baby girl and be a stay at home Mama to her then two year old daughter. It was then, that I the young Mom began playing with some of these items I had collected long ago. I started creating jewelry for myself, with the vintage pieces and beads collected over the years of my life. My church friends soon also wanted a piece of my jewelry I was creating. Thus, Mimi-Toria's became a reality. The name "Mimi-Toria's" came from my daughter, Emily, at age 2 would call herself MimiToria for her real name of Emily Victoria. This business I created is dedicated to my Mom now in Heaven, and my beloved daughter Emily Victoria, now 21 years old.

Vintage jewelry redesign is what I truly love to do. I take pieces of the past and recreate them into UNIQUE~SOULFUL~BEAUTIFUL jewelry designs. Each piece I create is created with much Prayer and with my whole Heart & Soul put into its design. I believe my God given calling is exactly what I am doing, and I share His love through my jewelry and build relationships that grow deeper with my customers. Many of these relationships have developed into life long friendships.

The materials I love to use are a mix of semi precious gemstones, natural objects such as Heart rocks and beach finds, unique keys, compasses, clock parts & mechanisms, Mother of Pearl elements, rhinestone pieces, mens pocket watch chains, lockets, watch fobs, locks, anything heart shaped, spoons, leather, feathers, brass tool tags, tokens of any kind, coins, religious medals, rosaries, crosses, baroque pearls, mercury glass, silk ribbons, and whatever else appeals to my senses.

I am grateful for you my customers, giving me the opportunity to live the dream of doing something that I love with my whole heart and soul, and because of repetitive requests, I am now going to use Etsy as another opportunity for customers to purchase my jewelry starting in 2016. If this platform of buying is your preference, then here are some lovelies for your heart to ponder now owning.

SOULFUL GIRL~
Gretchen Schaumann
Jewelry Designer for Mimi-Tora's Designs