Compass Rose Design makes modern heirlooms jewelry inspired by the history of fashion, invention and culture. We revive historic keepsakes and heirlooms into wearable art. Take a glance at our sources of inspiration: 

Jewelry, Art and Fashion History

• Top 10 Best Podcasts for History, Culture and Fashion

• Victorian Mourning Jewelry

• A Brief History of Buttons

• The Grand Tour, Impressions of Antiquity

• Edwardian Insect Jewelry

• Victorian Pocket Watch Fob Jewelry

• 16th Century Dutch Cloak - Huik

• The Blue Cloak Dutch Proverb Painting by Pieter Breugel the Elder 

• 1925 Paris Exposition: Art Deco, Women's Liberation through Fashion

• My 9th Great Grandfather was a Dutch Button Maker

• Ethics and Ecology in Jewelry Supply Chain: Recycled Silver and Bronze Antique Button Jewelry 

• Antique Button Necklaces for Brides & Bridesmaids

• Antique Button History: Peacock, A Symbol of Eternity. 

• Celebrating Women - the 19th Amendment Centennial - 1920 - 2020

• Tattoo Culture in the Victorian Era

• Butt Music, The Garden of Earthly Delights, Heironymous Bosch 

Clocks, Technology, Inventions 

• Automatons - Mechanical Wonders & Horological Artists

• History of Clockworks

• Horological Jewelry in London's QP Magazine

• 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition

• 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition

• What is Steampunk?

• Steampunk Weddings - Vogue Italy

• Vintage Typewriter Jewelry

Travel, Railroads, Gardens, Geography

• California Native Basketry, Fire and Traditional Ecological Knowledge

• History of Souvenir Spoon Collecting

• Golden Gate Bridge History

• Dutch Shutter Design History

• California Tortoiseshell Butterfly

• A Brief History of the Tea Caddy (Tea Chest)

• What's under the Water in an Amsterdam Canal

• Work & Railroad Button History: There's Something about a Train

• The Sothic Cycle Zodiac Coins of Roman Egypt 

• History of Tattoos - part I

• Railroad History: There's Something About A Train...

• Pullman Train Cars

• Into the Wunderkammer - Cabinet of Curiosities - 
  

• Nautical Gifts for Sailors, Historians and Travelers

• Oakland - San Francisco Key System - a bit of Bay Area History

• Celebrating Post Office History

• Napoleon's link to the Rose Garden

• Gifts for railroad buffs, train lovers and hobo historians

• Jewelry for Bee Keepers, Farmers and Gardeners

Custom Keepsake + DIY Jewelry Projects

• Metal-stamped Vintage Key Word Necklace 

• DIY Vintage Watch Photo Locket Bracelets 

• Broken Wristwatches into Necklace and Bracelet

• Shoe Buckle, Bracelet, Broken Watch, College Dorm Key

• Pocket Watch Statement Necklace
  

• How to Make DIY Bottle Cap Magnets

• Grandmother's Buttons Custom Project

• How to Find the Right Necklace Length

Small Business

• Women Entrepreneurs: The Creative Pursuit Collective

Jewelry Resources

• Layering Necklace Length Guide

• How to measure your ring size

• Bronze Jewelry Care - Hawaii Case Study