Connie Hammond
1964 –
‘GrandmaTookey’ sparked my love not only for jewelry, but for fine art, sophisticated decor and timeless design. As a little girl, I fondly recall digging in her jewelry box for bold and sparkly treasures that she’d purchased near and far. She also inspired me to create a life well-lived, one surrounded by friends and family as well as treasures that fill my heart with joy.
With an appreciation for unique accessories that enhance a mood, spark a reaction or evoke a memory, I have created several collections under the Tookey Buxton brand name to honor my grandmother’s love of all things unique. The Revival Collection is one of my favorites, as it includes both vintage jewelry “made new” as well as other “revived” decorative arts and tabletop items (e.g. bookends to silverware to vases to artwork) for the home and discovered at estate sales, auctions and antique stores. Another favorite, The Aspen Collection, is a collection of items inspired out of my love for Aspen — a place I’ve lived and visited on and off over the last 40 years.
A few of the jewelry items herein are hand-made with GrandmaTookey in mind, at times combining the old (e.g. vintage beads and antique charms) with the new (e.g. modern style beads and contemporary findings) to create treasures that span generations. I personally search out new or vintage materials to incorporate into each jewelry design, creating truly inspired and unique items for your own private jewelry collection. Additionally, I have developed a keen eye for great “finds” over the years and absolutely love to hunt for treasures far and wide to be resold — or repurposed.
In 2001, I enrolled in NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies for the Appraisal of Fine and Decorative Arts. I’ve always loved jewelry, art and antiques, so what better place to analyze objects d’art than in Manhattan? As a student, I said yes to learning at The Metropolitan Museum of Art — and at acclaimed antique dealers — and at famous auction houses — and at exclusive art galleries — and in the alluring Diamond District, absorbing all I could in this summer intensive. Not only did I study awe-inspiring masterpieces, the course covered Baroque to Art Deco, Silver to Ceramics, Tiffany Lamps to Fine Jewelry and much much more. I’ve also operated an antique booth in Corinth, Mississippi over the past few years, enabling me to continue the hunt and cultivate my taste. I’m excited to share some of the knowledge gained that summer in the Big Apple — as well as more recently in my “antiquing” endeavors — in the stories and product descriptions herein. Read more about The Summer of Yes.
I hope you enjoy perusing the site and find a few things that tickle your fancy and delight your senses.
— Connie Hammond
Designer, Curator and Granddaughter
