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| Founder, Creek Van Houten |
Compass Rose Design revives historic heirlooms into wearable art.
Handmade in the San Francisco Bay Area. Everything comes from somewhere.
Not only do the genuine antiques in my designs have their individual
stories, the shape and structure of each item connects with a historical
moment and has it’s own raison d'etre – reason and purpose for
existence. Whether we’re talking about construction of a button of or
the contours of a pocket watch – each item holds a thousand stories and
embodies centuries of ideas. The Compass Rose Design collection captures
the story and aesthetic of Victorian era - a fascinating moment at the
birth of a modern world combining the forces of revolution,
industrialization, innovation and an idealized past. The collection
resonates with steampunk afficionados just as much as with those who
simply appreciate beauty, quality and a story.
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| Johnny & Creek Van Houten |
Compass Rose Design Jewelry is a tiny, woman-owned wife and husband team
operation based in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Creek Van Houten, founder of Compass Rose Design Jewelry, has been
making stained glass and jewelry for the last ten years with vintage
and found treasures. My tendency both for collecting as well as
re-assembling has been a lifelong project. I took apart my first stereo
at age 7 and disassembled my first broken pocket watch at 9. In both
cases, my goal was to repair the items, but upon realizing the parts
were so beautiful, I began constructing art. I feel part of a movement of makers and entrepreneurs and small business owners - we love it!
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| Creek at work... |
After almost a decade of
work in non-profits and then some marketing, I've taken the plunge to
become a full time crafter maker metal alchemist. After returning to
California from Amsterdam with literally boxes of antique trinkets, I
set up shop in my San Francisco apartment to embark on the lifelong
dream of working for myself.
The Compass Rose collection of handcrafted
Steampunk and Victorian inspired jewelry is made with authentic antiques
and storied heirloom treasures. I've been collecting at flea markets,
estate sales and life's unlikely corners - making wearable creations for
the last fifteen years with vintage and antique objects. Everything in
our shop is handmade in our home studio, just north of San Francisco,
California, and reflects a bit of treasure renewed into something unique
and beautiful.
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| Johnny at work.. |
My husband, Johnny, joined the company, helping with
photography and soldering in 2011 to help keep up. His love of railroad
history and trains has been a delightful addition to my interest in
mechanical gadgets and Victorian everything.
Thank you for visiting!
-Creek & Johnny
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