What's Old is New (and Charming, Too!)



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
What's Old is New (and Charming, Too!) | Chaos To Art’s re-imagined antique treasures find new life as wedding party surcees, DIY décor, and more

Scroll through Chaos To Art’s offerings on Etsy and you’ll see that, indeed, one person’s cast-off can be another’s treasure … at least with a little TLC. Since 2005, Oklahoma native turned Charleston's Jessie Maynard has been transforming well-loved antiques into gifts and décor that are ripe for the wedding world. Our favorites? The embroidered linens and colorful quilts she transforms into precious lavender sachets (how smart for a lingerie shower favor?) and heart-shaped patches (hello, escort card idea!). 

 

After stumbling upon more vintage treasures than she could find time to repurpose, Jessie—a homeschooling mom who crafts on the side—launched a second shop, Chaos Supplies, in 2007. There, she sells old-school lettered tiles, fabric scraps, and more to fellow makers, like DIY brides. Here, she shares how she can make your wedding a standout.

 

Charleston Weddings: How did you get into recycled crafting?
Jessie Maynard: I’ve always been a crafter, so take one lazy college summer spent in a small town in Minnesota (they have the best estate sales), add inspiration from Internet crafting forums, and bam! It’s been 11 years and I can’t stop. 

 
CW: Where do you find your materials?
JM: Everywhere—thrift stores (I frequent the local Habitat for Humanity ReStores), garage sales, estate sales, eBay, and friends’ and family members’ attics. I choose objects that have lost their usefulness (colored slides, for instance), items that are broken or outdated (board games or hardcover books), and linens that have holes or tears but still have beautiful sections.
 
CW: How do your creations fit in with weddings?
JM: I’ve filled custom orders for lavender sachets with embroidery colors matching the bride’s wedding or shower colors, and can work with a customer’s own materials to make sachets and ring bearer pillows. I’ve made mini-notebooks for favors, and book journals for guest books. Many items in my supply shop can also be used for DIY décor, such as patchwork quilt hearts and 35mm slides.
 
The Lowdown on Chaos
Homebase: West Ashley
Offerings: Chaos To Art sachets (start at $5.50 for three), journals ($7.50 and up), coasters ($15 for four); Chaos Supplies' vintage greeting cards ($2.50 and up), photo slide frames ($3.50 for 25), quilt heart cutouts ($7 for 10); wooden lettered tiles ($18)
Custom Order Turnaround Time: Three days to two weeks
Daytime Gig: Homeschooling her daughter
 
Photograph courtesy of Jessie Maynard

 

The Wedding Row

January 29 2019
What do you get when you mix a love for the outdoors with the inherent girly-girl style that comes when you run a hair and makeup company? Mason and Alex’s well-rounded wedding, of course! Bride...

January 28 2019
Chanel and Alex’s courtship reads like a rom-com, so buckle in for the ride. The two (he’s from Boston and she’s from Atlanta) met during their sophomore year at College of Charleston when Alex...

January 25 2019
We love it when neighbors from “Off” come to Charleston with a fresh look at some of our favorite old stomping grounds to give brides ideas anew. That’s what we’re showcasing today, thanks to...

January 24 2019
New Yorkers Mindy and Matt picked Charleston for a destination weekend a scant few months ago (his biz partner is based here, so they’d fallen for the city some time before). In proper Big City style...

January 23 2019
There are wedding hashtags, then there are neon signs for wedding hashtags! Meet Meghan and Beau, who are not only aces at hashtags but also so bold as to commission a neon sign reading #...

January 22 2019
Ever wonder how a super fancy blockbuster wedding gets pieced together while still coming off as personal? We took a look at Mary and Reid’s fantastic Fenwick Hall wedding, planned exquisitely by...

January 21 2019
So does all the heart candy in stores have anyone else out there seeing red–in the good way? Us, too. Thus we bring you Devin and Scott’s enchanting wedding at Lowndes Grove Plantation...

January 18 2019
Can we just say we love how Caitlin and Michael operate? The pair, who live outside Indianapolis, Indiana, wed on a Sunday last summer with a handful of family and little ones in tow at The William...